Quick Saturday Project, LED Gear Indicator Light - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

harrij4 · 09-13-2020, 11:40 AM

I've been working my way through some final interior details, one of which was a fairly crusty gear indicator. After disassembling it for paint, I noticed that the fiber optic cable was cut right after it exited the steering column, and the bulb holder was MIA. So, I decided to upgrade to some newfangled LED magic. $6 later...magic!

I used these 3mm warm white LEDs which already have a load resistor on them.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8H5527..._1NJxFb125Q541

For power I tapped into the empty inst/gauge illumination spade on the fuse block (right beneath the fuse) with a 1A in-line fuse just in case the wires I pulled ever short. If you decide to do this, make sure you use small gauge wires to power the LED. Pulling 18ga through the steering column was a PITA.

The end result is really nice, dims perfectly along with my classic instruments cluster, and should last much longer than the OG bulb/fiber solution.

BobbyK · 09-13-2020, 04:31 PM

Nice work!

Southcity · 09-13-2020, 06:13 PM

Agreed ^, nice work! Your post will help all those future "LED gear indicator light" searches on this board, job well done.

09-13-2020, 11:40 AM	#1
harrij4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 127	Quick Saturday Project, LED Gear Indicator Light I've been working my way through some final interior details, one of which was a fairly crusty gear indicator. After disassembling it for paint, I noticed that the fiber optic cable was cut right after it exited the steering column, and the bulb holder was MIA. So, I decided to upgrade to some newfangled LED magic. $6 later...magic! I used these 3mm warm white LEDs which already have a load resistor on them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8H5527..._1NJxFb125Q541 For power I tapped into the empty inst/gauge illumination spade on the fuse block (right beneath the fuse) with a 1A in-line fuse just in case the wires I pulled ever short. If you decide to do this, make sure you use small gauge wires to power the LED. Pulling 18ga through the steering column was a PITA. The end result is really nice, dims perfectly along with my classic instruments cluster, and should last much longer than the OG bulb/fiber solution. Attached Images

09-13-2020, 04:31 PM	#2
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	Re: Quick Saturday Project, LED Gear Indicator Light Nice work! __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

09-13-2020, 06:13 PM	#3
Southcity Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 1,177	Re: Quick Saturday Project, LED Gear Indicator Light Agreed ^, nice work! Your post will help all those future "LED gear indicator light" searches on this board, job well done. __________________ 66 GMC Suburban Custom 66 Chevy K10 Suburban

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