I decided I wanted to make a few changes on my 2001 cluster. I wanted brighter lights, white face, and red needles... I decided to do a quick "how to" to show you all what I did.

The biggest thing is I wanted brighter lights. I have done this mod on several other cars I have owned and had no problems.



I use these bulbs. These are 2825 bulbs. They have 5 candlepower as opposed to the standard 3. Much brighter, and easier to find than the LEDs, and they don't have "hot spots".



I circled the illumination lights that are on the back of the cluster. GM uses sockets that they seem to make the bulb a part of the socket. Off to the junkyard I go!



At the yard, I grabbed some regular style sockets from a Ford F-150. I think it was about a 1996 or so. That truck provided something else for this which I will be showing you shortly. Make sure you grab at least 6.



Heres the cluster with them all removed. I used a pair of needlenose pliers here.



All installed. Very simple for a much brighter light.

I then figured while I had it all apart, I would install the white face overlays. Please pardon the pictures, but I got these from http://www.whitegauges.net and blew them up a little...ugh.. But I will explain it as it was easy.



The first thing, while the bezel is out, is to remove the retaining clips that hold the cluster face on the cluster. You really don't need a screwdriver for this, as I used my finger. Now is a good time to clean that up as well.



Grab a small rag or Kleenex, and wipe off the gauge face.



The tach and the speedometer both have these little tabs that stick up. simply pull them out and set aside.



I had a small bowl of water with a few drops of dish soap in it. I dipped the whiteface in the water, and installed it OVER the needle. There is no need to remove the needle. Just work the overlay over the round black part of the gauge. It is easy. Make sure that you have the lights on so you can verify that you have it all even.



Lining up the lights...



I used one of my un-needed credit cards to squeegee the water out and also to be sure the overlay was under the needle. All done!

I personally don't like the orange needles on the white background. I wanted something different.



As I said earlier, the Ford also donated these. I removed these from the cluster. They are red and exactly the length of the S-10. I know the expeditions and the pickups have these and from 96 up.



Here is the first on installed. I had the engine running, plus had it marked where the gauge was. The orange one came right off with my fingers, I let the gauge stabilize, and then simply pressed on the new red one.



All on with the clear face...Then...



With the clear plastic back on. I will venture out later tonight to get a shot with the lights on. I Hope that will turn out, but I like the look! I may have to re-align the speedometer overlay...I'll see tonight.

Shawn

 

Looks good. Nice job!

 

where'd you get the stickers? i saw a guy do it on his k5 once but i don't know where he got them.

 

just a guess

since you have 1982 in your screen name and asking about k5s

http://whitegauges.net/products/1980...ce-Gauges.html