Thread: LED super bright dashlights

I finally completed the conversion of my 1998 Defender dashlights.

As I mentioned earlier, I mistakenly ordered T5s. I have now fitted the T10 LEDs.

There was one minor problem. The PCB which makes up most of the T10 was about half a millimetre to wide to fit into the green plastic cover that gives the normal bulb its green tinge.

However I was able to file a whisker off each side of the PCB, so that the T10 could be inserted all the way.

I needed four T10 units; two in the speedo and one each in the fuel and temperature gauges. The one in the analogue clock is a small bayonet style and is a more attractive shade of blue than the original.

My original dashlights were so dim I could barely read the gauges at night. I had thought it was dust on the bulbs reducing their light output, but that wasn't the case.

The LEDs are just the right brightness.

Can someone advise how to get to the speedo globes and the clock globe? I dont want to break stuff.

I have RAVE CD but not a lot of detail getting to the speedo and clock globes.

I have 2003 TD5 Fender.

BTW I ordered the T5 SMDs in RED. Hope its bright enough!

Thanks

Originally Posted by Kelly928

Can someone advise how to get to the speedo globes and the clock globe? I dont want to break stuff.

I have RAVE CD but not a lot of detail getting to the speedo and clock globes.

I have 2003 TD5 Fender.

BTW I ordered the T5 SMDs in RED. Hope its bright enough!

Thanks

Good question! Weeds and I were looking at my clock that I removed to fit my tacho in the 300, and couldn't see anywhere obvious to replace the old light. Any ideas?

Jaycar now sell the T5 and T10 LEDs, some wedge base and some in the correct holders for Land Rovers.

Look up:
ZD-0380 to ZD-0386 (about $2 each)
ZD-0390 to ZD-0396 (about $3.50 each)

Ok so I need to know EXACLY what ones (model numbers etc) people have fitted to dash instruments in a Defender TDis.

The only ones I;ve seen seem to have a different connector (like jap 4wd's) which is different to the LR socket arrangement.
I dpn't want to rewire / change all the connectors if I can help it.

there must be an easier way !

So I've finally managed to fit and test some of the LED lights I've bought from a couple of different places.

The T10 wedge type bulbs like this are the ones that fit: Automotive & Marine dashboard LED Replacement Bulbs - I just fitted a #2261 and it worked really well. Much brighter than the standard glass bulbs. Note, that the Defender speedo takes 2 bulbs, 1 on the top and 1 on the bottom. The #2241 keeps blowing fuses, regardless of polarity. I've emailed the supplier for an explanation.

I tried a couple of cheapies from dealextreme.com but they weren't so great.

I'm going to grab a couple of these T10 Wedge Replacement LED QUAD Globe (Red) - Jaycar Electronics from Jaycar tomorrow and see how well they work.

Also note that the original Defender clock does not take T10 wedge bulbs, but a small 7mm bayonet type bulb (8.5mm including the bayonets).

I tried the ones from Jaycar today. They fit in the socket and light up fine, but unfortunately they don't fit into the gauge properly.

So far, the best one I've found is the #2261 from here Automotive & Marine dashboard LED Replacement Bulbs.

Interestingly, there must be a green tint applied in the gauge somewhere, as the original bulbs are clear, yet the light in the gauge looks green. This might be why the green #2261 globe seem to be the best.

yea they have a very light green coating on the back of the clock face.

I have 03 fender so my clock had SMD LEDs (surface mount device) which was suprising!

They look like this:

smd-led.jpg (~3x3mm)

If you want to go to the trouble (or can be bothered) of having the colour of your led minus the slight green tinge you can scape away the back coating using fine sandpaper. The colour shows up much brighter. And if you deceide to go back to the original green colour just use green led.

I removed the original SMDs (x4) using soldering iron and soldered on blue leds. Not hard cause I am no expert but just a bit fiddly.

Kelly