Instrument panel light conversion to LED
 

I have an '02 Silverado 1500 and the dash lights don't seem as bright as they used to - especially the odometer during the day (I use the trip meter on a regular basis) and I was wondering if anyone here has any thoughts and/or experience changing their dash lights to LED.

I already know how to remove my instrument panel and access the bulbs.

In looking at bulb sources though...I see a variety of different colors in LED...blue, red, orange, etc etc. I would think those are more for the ricer group and I would want the basic white - (warm or cool?)

Appreciate any thoughts and input from your experiences! SmileWavy

EDIT: I also wonder if I should just stick to OEM and not go the LED route.....for my dash lights anyway....

Well, LED will reduce the power load on the wiring which will be nice. Depending on the bulbs, it may be hard to get bulbs that are as bright, but these days there are a lot of LED options out there, so it probably won't be too tough. I've bought a several automotive LEDs from these folks over the years: https://www.superbrightleds.com/

The only place that I would think in might be a problem is for the turn signal indicators. Having a different resistance can cause the blinker to blink at a different speed. If you replace the outside blinker bulbs with LEDs you usually have to either replace the blinker unit for one that's LED friendly or add a resistor into the system.

You can get LED bulbs to fit the sockets AND provide a load so it does not mess up and blinking or bulb out logic in the systems. The dash issue is dimming. You may need to add a dimmer circuit that will dim the LED bulbs.

I've done conversions. A couple things-too bright is more likely the problem than not enough. Even distribution of light is very hard in some cases, not so bad in others. I actually like orange dash lights, but white is ok as well.

Led's are polarized. You might need to switch them around after you first install, as they won't light if polarity is reversed, and they're not labled, nor are your sockets. Some of the bulbs will short out sockets as the leads make contact on both sides of the bulb, so they need to be folder over to only contact one side.

Thanks for all the info guys!

I think for now I will stay with the stock halogen bulbs.

Maybe when I get around to doing the P-cars, I will play around with the LED's....

02 Silverado dash light bulbs are soldered to the circuit board. Odometer is not illuminated with a bulb.