LED Cluster Mod

[chitown944]

In my pursuit of better light in the cluster I found a product that works pretty good and costs under $25. This is an LED Flexi-Lite distributed by Pilot Automotive. Its the best low profile LED strip out there. Its 10" long and has double sick tape on the back. I would have preferred white but the blue is all that was available. Lemme tell you this thing is brite and is very noticeable from the exterior. I will eventually get the white which is harder to find. The part number is CZ-180B the white is CZ-180W. You may find at Pep Boys or Autozone. The white you wont find however I have a lead on where to find. Heres a sample

[img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads10/LED+cluster1178949630.jpg[/img]

[chitown944]

[nize]

ahh nice !

[nize]

how did you hook this up? is it dimmable using the stock dimmer dial? did you have to remove the dash?

[chitown944]

Somehow my audio guy hooked it up to the dimmer and just had to remove the cluster surround and cluster then remove the glaas to get the strip in there with holes on the side for the wiring.

[flash968]

i see kids doing this all the time, and chalk it up to inexperience or one of those "bling / fad" things

this is a dangerous and ill advised mod - bright dash lights lead to pupil reduction and poorer night vision - you should run your dash lights as dim as poosible and still be able to read the guages

there is a VERY lengthy government study on lights and the effects they have on the human eye and its capacity to see at night - it clearly shows the detrimental effects of bright lights, both dash and oncoming headlights

truck drivers have known about this for decades - most of them drive with their dash lights off or nearly off

[Cocacolakidd]

There are also a couple of different kits out there for re-mirroring your cluster - that's how they get dim after the years, the mirror effect is all but gone - With the mirror kits you just polish to clear the old mirror channels (Been quite sometime since I have done mine, but I remember there were four mirror channels that need to be re-done). Pretty easy to re-do with these kits as they send complete instructions and a sheet of the mirror material that you cut to fit and adhere to the cleaned mirror channels. The kits come with new bulbs to replace all of the old ones. So replace all of the bulbs (4) mount the mirror material, and reassemble the gauge pod in the dash. The gauges are now back to factory new bright, plus the dimmer works as it should.

[ernie9944]

[QUOTE=flash968;3466746]

this is a dangerous and ill advised mod - bright dash lights lead to pupil reduction and poorer night vision - you should run your dash lights as dim as poosible and still be able to read the guages

Got to agree with you on this one,here is mine which are the original dash ligths with the dimer at 100%.

[mytrplseven]

Is there any small 12v black light bulbs that could be used? It would really make the numbers and markings stand out without blinding the driver.

[Gawernator]

The lights in my 944 dash seem just fine

[JAXTURBO]

Originally Posted by Cocacolakidd

There are also a couple of different kits out there for re-mirroring your cluster - that's how they get dim after the years, the mirror effect is all but gone - With the mirror kits you just polish to clear the old mirror channels (Been quite sometime since I have done mine, but I remember there were four mirror channels that need to be re-done). Pretty easy to re-do with these kits as they send complete instructions and a sheet of the mirror material that you cut to fit and adhere to the cleaned mirror channels. The kits come with new bulbs to replace all of the old ones. So replace all of the bulbs (4) mount the mirror material, and reassemble the gauge pod in the dash. The gauges are now back to factory new bright, plus the dimmer works as it should.

... where would one find these re-mirroring kits?

[djnolan]

I have one of these installed by the PO in my 85.5 and the dimmer does not work. I have never tried to investigate why. Also I think it is too bright and affects my night vision. My 87 is fine stock.

[marbleusmike]

on ebay from 9xauto

[968 GUY]

I think the dash lights are the least of problems regarding loss of night vision.
There is no way they affect your vision at night more than your own headlights, onco,ming lights, reflection from signs, streetlights, etc.
Even on a moonless night in the middle of the desert,your own headlights reflect more light than your dash lights.
Sorry, just don't believe this " extensive government study" exists.

[nize]

NHTSA Notice: Glare from Headlamps and other Front Mounted Lamps - FMVSS 108

[9FF]

imo glare is just part of driving a sports car. Being lower than 90% of the cars on the road I get more glare in my rear view mirror from SUV's and trucks than anything my dash can throw at me.

[Gawernator]

Originally Posted by nize

NHTSA Notice: Glare from Headlamps and other Front Mounted Lamps - FMVSS 108

Interesting read

[wsalinas1892]

Originally Posted by mytrplseven

Is there any small 12v black light bulbs that could be used? It would really make the numbers and markings stand out without blinding the driver.

I tried black light bulbs...the numbers did not want to glow at all the needles did though... Just my 2 cent