LED's in Gauge Cluster for 1998 rolla? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mjweier · 08-23-2009, 01:39 AM

1st post, w00t!

So I have a 1998 toyota corolla LE, and was wondering if there was any way to replace the bulbs for the gauge cluster. For one thing, the corolla I have has the special white face gauges.

Like these.

I was wondering instead of the orange lights in there, if there was a way to do blue? I heard that with the regular gauge clusters it can be done, but with these white-face gauges I was wondering if they use the same bulbs so I could switch to LED's?

If anyone knows, it'd be greatly appreciated!

And also, Anyone know where to get some angel-eye (halo) headlights for the 98 'rolla?

Thanks!

Milky · 08-23-2009, 02:38 AM

i have the same style guage cluster swapped in my 99 ve. yes any 194 bulb or led bulb will work.

in my opinion angel eyes/halo's are ricey. dont get them, just keep it clean.

mjweier · 08-23-2009, 02:41 AM

Awesome! Another question,

Since I have not taken the gauges of yet, and want to make sure, do you have to take off the needles to get to the bulbs? Or are they easier to get to than that?

One more thing:
When u put in the 194 bulbs, did they work well? if so, where did you get them from? I've been reading the forums and found that a lot of people are having a hard time getting the whole gauge cluster to illuminate properly.

Buurin · 08-23-2009, 05:13 PM

Much easier. The 194s are just mounted on twist-off bulb holders on the back. The three big ones.

Those are Touring package gauge clusters. Identical to everything else except for the white face.

mjweier · 08-23-2009, 05:23 PM

Awesome! Well that's definitely good to hear. I was thinking I was going to have to mess with the needles, and that's never a fun thing to do. =-S

Anywho, the touring package is what it's called! I love the white, almost silver faces. They look pimpin! haha. But I'm definitely looking forward to putting some new LED bulbs in there. Hopefully I can find some decent ones!
I'll be sure to post up some pictures when I get it all working properly. =]

Thanks!

Bdub215 · 08-23-2009, 06:37 PM

i hope that isnt a recent picture. get some gas plz!

mjweier · 08-23-2009, 07:31 PM

haha! First thing, does ANYONE know of good blubs to replace the 194 gauge light bulbs?

I know, I need to get gas. :-S

Anyhow, I installed these crappy blue bulbs:

Just a word to the wise, NEVER get these bulbs. Sadly I didn't take a picture, but they were insanely dim. Should've known better than to go to Checker's to get my bulbs. :-\ But I did return them and got my money back! =-D

Anyways, Just thought I'd throw in some pics of my car to boot. Hope you like it! Rather stock though. :-\

Nice touring package gauge cluster, new deck, and blue neon under driver's side footwell.

Closer look of the neon (I know, my car is dirty. :'( )

My 2 JL Audio 12w3v2's

Back end of the 'rolla

Front end of 'rolla

Thanks!

Downhillzze110 · 08-23-2009, 08:09 PM

if you want TRUE blue bulbs get LED.
i recommend superbrightleds.com
no this is not a cheap advert... i've shopped with them, the service is great and i'm 100% pleased with their products.
i have 3 of their blue full directional LED barrel 194s in my dash and the color and brightness is AMAZING. i forget the product # tho... but they show you the shine pattern for each bulb.

mjweier · 08-23-2009, 08:16 PM

I'm thinking about going with these ones:

They got the full 360 degree fillament in them.

Sounds like a good option?

Downhillzze110 · 08-23-2009, 08:25 PM

thats kinda similar to what i have... how much a pop?

mjweier · 08-23-2009, 08:29 PM

$5.95 each. but they have them in blue, white, yellow, amber, green and red. I was thinking of possibly getting three different bulbs? I think it might look cool because if I put a blue on the left, a red in the center, and a green on the right, the needle will change from blue to red as the rev's get higher.

Or should I stick with all one color? Kinda wondering what to do now! haha

Downhillzze110 · 08-23-2009, 08:32 PM

do one color... any more and the colors mix.
and 5.95 is a bit steep
i got all three of mine for 12 something with shipping.

mjweier · 08-23-2009, 08:34 PM

really? Hmmm...

Do you know what they look like more-so?

I want to make sure I get some good ones considering you said you got yours and they worked great. Is there anyway you could get a link to the bulb type you got on the website? it'd really be appreciated!

Downhillzze110 · 08-23-2009, 08:39 PM

http://superbrightleds.com/specs/bulb_specsHP360.htm
second bulb on page thats what i have

Downhillzze110 · 08-23-2009, 08:41 PM

huh... those ARE 5.95... well i feels foolish...