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I replaced the lense in the center cluster and removed the upper dash pad as well. Since I had everything exposed I figured I replace all the 194 bulbs. I thought about going with LED's to make it brighter but some of the threads I read said don't bother. The new 194 bulbs have better filaments and are a little brighter. I wanted to ask if those that did replace the old incandescent bulbs with LED's, if they had any problems with them? Are the newer ones dimmable and is the added expense worth it? This is something that would probably benefit my son more as he will inherit the car one day and I never drive it at night. Just thinking it looks like a possible upgrade while I have everything exposed. Thanks.
I wanted to ask if those that did replace the old incandescent bulbs with LED's, if they had any problems with them? Are the newer ones dimmable and is the added expense worth it?
I went all LED in my 77. They are definitely brighter. You will run into a few issues:
1. LED bulbs have a polarity, so you can put them in the wrong way and it won’t light up. Easily solved by popping out the bulb and putting it back in rotated 180 degrees. Test everything before you close it up!
2. Dimming in the dash lights is a problem. LEDs don’t dim like incandescent bulbs do. It’s just the nature of the material. When you turn the dimmer *****, they drop to maybe 60-70% brightness and then go out entirely. I’ve seen many posts recommending superbrightled.com bulbs, but their site makes no mention whatsoever about dimming so I have to assume there’s nothing unique about their LEDs. To really dim LEDs fully you need a pulse width modulator (PWM). Google that if you want to know more. Lots of threads on this forum as well.
3. The charging system depends on the resistance of the alternator light warning bulb to activate the system. If you replace the bulb with an LED and don’t add a resistor, your alternator will not charge your battery.
The easy button solution here is to replace every old bulb in the dash with new incandescent. Everything will work as expected, no charging, dimming or polarity problems, and you have extended lifespan out a decade or more.
The easy button solution here is to replace every old bulb in the dash with new incandescent. Everything will work as expected, no charging, dimming or polarity problems, and you have extended lifespan out a decade or more.[/QUOTE]
Sounds like good advice, I'll just order a new batch of 194's and not have any issues. Thank you.
Lots and lots of threads on here over the last few years talking about LED'S as an upgrade.
And everytime I argue the point. In my line of work we install a LOT of overpriced LED'S. And often they fail. And then again it's a ton of money to replace them.
our car's switches and wiring were not designed for LED's.
Old incandescent bulbs do grow dim with age. It's a known fact. Putting in new incandescent bulbs will restore the like new brightness and keep all functions working as they should. And they cost little compared to the so called upgrade that seems to have a high failure rate as well as issues with dimming, polarity and charging.
Just my 2cents.
1605993479[/url]]our car's switches and wiring were not designed for LED's.
Yup. I wouldn’t have gone down the LED path in the first place had I known the gotchas involved. By the time I figured it out I was in too deep to quit, and I’m stubborn. I didn’t want to admit defeat lol.
Yup. I wouldn’t have gone down the LED path in the first place had I known the gotchas involved. By the time I figured it out I was in too deep to quit, and I’m stubborn. I didn’t want to admit defeat lol.
I can see why people make the change.
They're looking for the best product to improve their cars and the pleasure of driving them. I have a '21 Bronco with LED's and it is better at night but the car was designed for them so no issues. We just need to accept that these are older vehicles with older engineering.
Just finished my center gauge cluster today on my 82. I replaced all my gauge bulbs with superbrightleds 194-cwhp5, including the shifter display. They are dimmable and not a problem with polarity. The bulb that lights the HVAC(On top of cluster, aiming down), I had to go to AutoZone and purchase a smaller replacement for the 194 bulb. I purchased a Sylvania LED 2825( this one is polarity sensitive), which is equivalent to the 194 bulb. The bulbs from Superbrightleds were a little longer for that application. I replaced all the warning lights with regular, new 194 bulbs. I don't need the warning lights brighter than what they are. Very happy with the results. Doing my Speedo and Tach tomorrow!
For 78-79 (not sure about other years) 9 of the dash lights are 192; the rest are 194, except the the heater control light is a projection bulb(558). 192’s are 3 candle power vs 2 candle power 194’s. Good to double-check the AIM for your year.
Charlie
Dash cluster 194 bulbs
