Installing Blue LEDs In My 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Instrument Cluster

Outlining the process of installing blue LEDs in your 3rd generation Ram instrument cluster, and covering the VFD screens with blue film, as well as re-installing your needles properly.

[@1windozesuk]

Wow, I was just looking to see if the lights were bulbs or smd to see how much hassle it would be to change color of mine. What I got was a master class in the gen 3 cluster. Thank you! I love the extra info and the examples you showed all the way to in the truck installed. Keep it up!

[@billindorf5101]

this is probably the most detailed explanation of doing an LED upgrade that I have ever seen very well explained. Needless to say with the amount of work that this entails I don't think I'm going to attempt to do this myself because it's just not worth the headache ha ha ha but that's just me being lazy. I don't need to see everything that brightly ha ha. Ha

[@bigdaddy6879]

Sawwweeeet. I’m in the midst of pulling the trigger on this upgrade myself on my 2002. I’m thinking blue as well. Good stuff man.

[@roberthayes5037]

Thanks for the video. Very informative and thorough. Very helpful. Thanks

[@michaelbezos2969]

Appreciate you sharing this info. Reckon I'm just going to stick with the stock filament type as they lasted 15 years. I've many Chinese made led bulbs in house that are questionable at best. Again thank you for your experience & time.

[@CumminsV-lr8mp]

Finally someone who says what bulb size 🤣

[@donaldsingh5890]

Can you please explain the pinout further regarding power and ground ? My cluster doesn't have the illumination lights and trying to test please help

[@ericshanley6624]

Let me ask you this... I have a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT, I switched everything over to LEDS. However, when I changed my headlight, 4x4, and back window switch the LEDS do not turn off. They have a soft glow when the switch is off. When I turn on the lights to the my truck they glow normal and dim with the dimmer switch. Each of my switches have one LED each and I attached a 1/4w, 470 ohm resistor to each one. All my other lights in the instrument panel, overhead console, and A/C switch are all from Super Bright LEDS and work fine. Any ideas as to why they do not turn off completely? Thank you.

[@raymondgorman4708]

How hot should the resistor get on the back

[@stepheneckles2345]

Where do you buy the film you used. That's pretty cool. I want to change my bulbs but don't know what color I want. I did it to my F150 with green and they are awesome. Thanks for the video

[@DIYDynamix]

I have a link in the description of either this video or the 2004 Ram 100% video I think. One of the videos has a link lol B&H Photo is the place but I linked directly to the products

[@marcus05011993]

I just did my 05 ram 1500 the cluster takes 11 8.5d make sure to buy few extra and I bought 1 8.4d for behind the keyless entry box so I didn't have to cut that bulb down I did have to bend some of tabs so they had a better connection they all worked on the first try make sure to test it before you put it all back together

[@DIYDynamix]

Ummmm yeah dude. Pretty sure I covered all that in the video…..

[@pmedina701]

Great info!! Thx!!

[@DIYDynamix]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@beebeebearbear]

would you have a video how to fix the cluster as my RPM needle is not working.

[@DIYDynamix]

No video on that sorry. That could be a sensor and not even a cluster problem.

[@donaldsingh5890]

In your video based off of the pinout diagram I saw only 4 b+ and 3 ground -. But the pigtail seems like it has more that 4 +. Are you also connecting fused ignition switch output to the + ?

[@DIYDynamix]

I believe I am yes. I will have to double check as it's been a while, but I'll try and make a video today about it.

[@donaldsingh5890]

Great thank you

[@DIYDynamix]

@@donaldsingh5890 It won't take too long, it's pretty simple, I'll double check everything and should have it up a little later this afternoon

[@DIYDynamix]

@@donaldsingh5890 Just wanted to let you know I'm having issues with my editing software, I don't have any sound. So I'm trying to sort that out. I have the video recorded I just need to stick it together. As soon as I can get this sorted I'll have the video uploaded.

[@donaldsingh5890]

Ok great thanks

[@4200jab]

Hi thanks for the video and info. I recently changed mine and now they come on for a second or two then off. Turn them off and Back on they do the same thing. You wouldn't happen to have any ideas to help me fix this issue would you? Or you wouldn't happen to know where I could find some information on this. Thank you

[@DIYDynamix]

Do ALL of the cluster lights do that at the same time? If so it sounds like you might have an issue elsewhere.

[@wackyrick2103]

Sorry about my earlier comment, i found your other videos after so I removed it, but wow that is a lot of work for the window switch! Koodos for that! I'm a mechanic by trade so I will not want to spend all that time on the windows switch, but half of the lights in my cluster are out, I believe I have watched all of your videos for blue lights and rewatched the moment you talked about the film and cannot seem to find your direct link you mentioned about the conversion film

[@DIYDynamix]

Did I not link the film in the description? I got it from B&H photo. It is definitely a bit of work to do any of the soldered in lights but stands out since nobody does it lol. If you haven’t seen it already, check out my video on making a bench harness for your cluster. It will save you from having to remove the cluster multiple times if you don’t get the polarities right on the LEDs

[@wackyrick2103]

@@DIYDynamix I have a power probe, once i see the polarity of one of the light hole side i can sen power through it and test all of the others. As for the film in the description I do not see a link just the mention "covering Vfd screen with blue film"

[@DIYDynamix]

@@wackyrick2103 I had the link in my other video showing the finished result. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/292677-REG/LEE_Filters_TDP_Tungsten_to_Daylight_Lighting.html I don't think you can run power to a light socket and have it power the others. The polarities aren't the same on each pad and if I'm remembering right some may be hooked up in series......can't remember exactly though, it's been a while since I've done this.

[@wackyrick2103]

@@DIYDynamix I haven't played in these ones yet, I played a lot in International and freighliners, cluster but thanks for all the info!

[@bullet707179]

So after watching multiple videos I found yours the most useful. I ordered LED lights from same place. Got them installed. Plugged it in to make sure they all worked. One of the bulb started smoking. And now only three dash lights come on. Do you have any advice or what I can troubleshoot to fix this. Or do I have to buy a new cluster?

[@DIYDynamix]

That’s a new one. Which 3 lights come on? You don’t want to mess with replacing the cluster in these because they can’t be programmed for mileage.

[@bullet707179]

Well one more started working. So it's the 4 on the right side. Lighting up the MPH.

[@DIYDynamix]

@@bullet707179 sometimes the tabs on the bulbs need to be pushed down so they actually make a good connection to the pads. LEDs are also polar, meaning they will only work if positive is on positive. If they’re backwards they won’t work, and may even burn out if it’s a really defective LED.

[@bullet707179]

@@DIYDynamix yeah I had to bend the tabs on every one of them. And I check for polarity already. And I bought more than I needed an tried replacing them with the new ones and still nothing comes on.

[@DIYDynamix]

@@bullet707179 I’m not sure what would cause that. If you haven’t already I’d make a bench harness to power it up and make sure you’re getting power everywhere.

[@aaronblock2177]

Are the 4WD and warning lights all built into the cluster? Or can you replace those as well

[@DIYDynamix]

Those are part of the VFD screen and cannot be changed in anyway

[@biga910]

Please, would somebody tell me where to get the (conversion filter/film) from...I've been on Amazon and can't find it, Great video👍

[@DIYDynamix]

Right here bro. This is where I got mine. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Lighting-Filters/ci/1329

[@biga910]

Thanks Bro, you were a big help on this one..let you know & send a pic when's it's done!.

[@DieselRacer75]

Will the LEDs you chose have the dimming function?

[@DIYDynamix]

Yes. Dimming works perfectly on all of my lighting. Including dimming from the dial by the headlight switch and also when the dome/map lights dim to turn off when you get out of the truck.

[@0530430573]

Hello, how can I remove the glass to fix my heat amp?

[@DIYDynamix]

I’m not sure what you mean? What do you mean by “heat amp” and which glass are you asking about?

[@yazoomud88]

On my 03 ram the cluster want light up the check engine light when I turn key on or even when I do the gauge test. Is there a direct bulb for that light or is it a fault in the cluster itself?

[@DIYDynamix]

Someone has probably pulled the LED off the board or otherwise physically damaged it because it's a soldered in LED. You can see a little more inside the cluster here if I'm not mistaken. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKSmlqynbLiGp6s

[@yazoomud88]

@@DIYDynamix I hooked a ob2 scan tool to it and it has no stored codes so not sure why they would have done that. But who knows. Do I have to completely disassemble the cluster to check it or just taking it out of the truck good enough? Maybe it just has tape over it or something. But in case is there anyway to fix it?

[@DIYDynamix]

@@yazoomud88 you may have to take it apart. Watch my other video and you can see everything and how it looks before you need to do anything with yours.

[@skylerwright8172]

Do you know of you can change the color of the needles?

[@anthonyirwin6698]

Not without changing the needles. They’re colored plastic

[@theeabster1983]

Look at on Amazon I'm using the Amazon garage to shop for different LEDs for my Dodge 2008 1500. It's telling me the light bulb size are t4.2 t4.7 but your video and another guys video which his was a 08 Dodge ram. LED bulb numbers match. I don't know if Amazon is wrong or since you guys purchased them from a different store they're using a different code for the bulb size? But for my experience automotive bulb size whether it's LED or halogen or purchasing from one store or another they usually use the same number . Maybe the t4s are an upgrade or a downgrade for what you're using I guess I'll have to do some more research

[@fitojb]

Oh hi, Bentley!

[@jasonbundy7600]

Are the LEDs dimmable? Thanks.

[@DIYDynamix]

Yes fully dimmable, they function exactly the same as a regular bulb would.

[@raymondgorman4708]

How hot should the resistor thing be on the back of the cluster

[@DIYDynamix]

Probably really fucking hot. Resistors get hot, that’s how they work. They dissipate excess current as heat.

[@raymondgorman4708]

@@DIYDynamix ok makes sense it’s blistering hot i just changed all of the bulbs to blue all good except for left half of speedo is not lit up i dont recall seeing a bulb socket between tach and speedo

[@DIYDynamix]

@@raymondgorman4708 the big resistors get stupid hot, it’s probably dissipating a shit ton of current. sometimes you have to mess with the contacts on the LEDs to tighten them or they don’t make good contact.

[@bandabanderos]

Did you add the filters to the turn signals too?

[@DIYDynamix]

No, there were a few things I left alone, like 4WD indicator is still orange also. So are all the other trouble lights.

[@bandabanderos]

Randomonium I suppose they’re doable though right? Doing mine right now, ordering parts

[@kelvindamrell8639]

My truck is a 4x4Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab 2006 model. Will these lights work the same for my 2006 ?

[@DIYDynamix]

Yup. It’s the same cluster from 02 to I think 08.

[@kelvindamrell8639]

What size are these blue led lights ?

[@DIYDynamix]

@@kelvindamrell8639 in the cluster, B8.5D is what I used.

[@kelvindamrell8639]

@@DIYDynamix Hey brother, the only cluster bulbs in the b 8.5 D Super bright LEDs that I could find was on amazon.com. And all they had was B8.4 D. Do you know if the B8.4 D will work for my 2006 Dodge ram 1500? Sorry man about the questions. I’m not really good at this phone business. lol

[@DIYDynamix]

@@kelvindamrell8639 go to superbrightleds.com I don't know if the 8.4 will fit.

[@keithh3767]

Adding these light messed up my entire instrument cluster on the 05 dodge ram 1500. Caused parasitic battery draw, lights going off unexpectedly, not always coming back on unless turned switch off, and dome lights to flicker, stay on or not come on.

[@DIYDynamix]

I assure you that unless you bought some seriously bad quality lights, adding LEDs to your cluster didn’t cause your problems. You have problems elsewhere, and if you’ve also added led dome lights you need to add resistors also.

[@keithh3767]

@@DIYDynamix no led dome lights just in the cluster. dodge told me today that it's a common Problem on the gen 3 with adding leds to the cluster. they said it needed a resistor also. i'ma remove all the lights tomorrow, to confirm. currently when the center Pigtail is Plugged in the cluster is when I get the Parasitic draw of 2 amPs.

[@DIYDynamix]

@@keithh3767 I’m going to tell you right now that dodge told you wrong. Tons of people have done this without issue. These don’t need resistors if you use the right bulbs because the resistors are built in. Dodge is simply telling you that because you did something and something happened. Easy diagnoses. Then when it doesn’t work again when you try new bulbs they’ll tell you that *you* fucked it up. I have a video of how to make a bench harness to test the bulbs with the cluster out. You have a more serious problem elsewhere,because it’s literally impossible for the lighting in the cluster to affect anything else. Again, Dodge is blowing smoke up your ass just like they do regularly and have done with me multiple times.

[@keithh3767]

@@DIYDynamix I took the lights out today. the draw droPPed from flucuations between 1.5-2.0 amPs down to 0.5-1.0amPs. contacted the suPerbrightleds today and orded the b8.5d's that you mentioned.

[@DIYDynamix]

@@keithh3767 Did everything work? or did you receive the bulbs yet?

[@TroubleHurley660]

Can these blubs be used in a 2006 gauge cluster? Nevermind I see someone else had the same question. Awsome video by the way.

[@anthonyirwin6698]

Yes they can be used in a 2006. Should be good all the way up to 2009 at least.

[@TroubleHurley660]

@anthonyirwin6698 I appreciate it. Would a burnt blub cause my low fuel light not to come on?

[@anthonyirwin6698]

@@TroubleHurley660 no because your low fuel light is an SMD LED that's soldered onto the board and isn't changeable. runs on a different circuit too.

[@TroubleHurley660]

@anthonyirwin6698 in your opinion, would that warrant a possible new gauge cluster?

[@anthonyirwin6698]

@@TroubleHurley660 you shouldn’t change clusters, 2006 might actually be ok since I believe they can be reprogrammed with an AlfaOBD. But if your fuel light keeps coming on it’s not likely to be the cluster. What makes you think it is?

[@Cameron_J]

Could have used white bulbs. The color would still be blue due to the phosphor coating. Ask me how I know.

[@DIYDynamix]

not as blue as It is now.

[@parabellumgunner7]

How can I remove the coating?

[@Cameron_J]

@@parabellumgunner7 you have to completely gut the cluster a screws and needles. Make a custom power harness so you can properly re-peg the needles. Then you need pink filters for the VFD if you want it White

[@jebm95]

How much would you charge if I sent my cluster

[@DIYDynamix]

That would be pointless man, this is super easy to do, and even easier if you make the bench harness I also made a video about :)

[@jebm95]

@@DIYDynamix put a piece on it I love the work and how you did the screen I don’t have patience and I know I would end up breaking something

[@DIYDynamix]

@@jebm95 considering I’m in Canada the shipping and turn around time alone would be stupid, and I don’t even currently have access to most of my tools and equipment due to some work that’s being done on our apartment soon.

[@topgunablek]

Why not use a multimeter to test the pole？

[@DIYDynamix]

Huilin Li because if you’ve gone far enough to pull the cluster out, and made a pigtail to power the cluster on a bench, then it’s less work to just put the LED in and see if it’s the right way or not. Checking with a meter would just add an extra unnecessary step.

[@topgunablek]

Randomonium sometimes, you don’t have pig tails, for me, just want to change bad bulb. Meanwhile, I realized not all meter can test high voltage led. And I would use a ac/dc adapter’s output to test the poles, for car most of them are 12v.

[@DIYDynamix]

@@topgunablek There are multiple pins that need to be powered to get the cluster to power up on the bench. If you don't have a pigtail to apply power, then you can't test the poles. There is no such thing as a high voltage LED.

[@topgunablek]

Randomonium yeah, I did test a interior Led, with a 12v,1A ac/dc convert, it works.

[@DIYDynamix]

Huilin Li yeah you can test the LEDs but that gives no indication as to what pad on the cluster/circuit board is positive, so even if you know the polarity of the LED you still need to know the polarity of the cluster which you can’t do without powering it up.

[@scottseay8715]

Feel gauge repair on dodge Dakota

[@brioncarter9586]

Don’t you even try to worry I burn my shit out trying this bullshit and everybody else today. Thank God it was the junkyard unit that burned out and not the one I have to put in my truck.

[@anthonyirwin6698]

I don’t know what you did but it’s fairly impossible to burn anything out when just replacing bulbs.

[@michaelhiltz7846]

could you have thrown up the pinup chart just for fun? Just say it was yoga, and you should be ok

[@jobcuevas5954]

En Ingles no se Entiende nada.