Let there be light! Replacing Jeep TJ Instrument Cluster bulbs with LEDs
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ต.ค. 2024
- Finally getting to work on some “make betters” with this 1997 Jeep TJ, I replace the stock, dim instrument cluster bulbs with brighter and better LED bulbs. It’s pretty simple and quick to do - this video will show you how.
I also add some dielectric grease to the electrical connections to help prevent the speedometer and tachometer from not working every now and again while driving.
Parts (link is Amazon Affiliate Link):
• White T5 37 74 LED Bulb with Twist Lock Socket Pack of 10: amzn.to/327Wuhc
• Permatex 81150 Dielectric Tune-Up Grease amzn.to/3E8xeEz
Video links:
• Force Built’s “97 Jeep Wrangler Instrument Panel Lights!” • 97 Jeep Wrangler Instr...
Project TJ is the chronicling of working on my 1997 Jeep Wrangler. It's the SE version of a TJ with a 2.5L four cylinder and a standard transmission. At the time of making this video, the Jeep had ~205,500 miles on it.
I hope you enjoy! Subscribe to the channel and if you’re interested, you can support me on BuyMeACoffee at www.buymeacoff...
Disclaimers:
This video is NOT sponsored by any of the brands mentioned throughout this video or video description. All thoughts mentioned are my own. Some links provided are affiliate links. They do not cost you anything, but I make a small percentage from the sale. Honesty is key on my channel, thank you for supporting me!
I am a Do It Yourself, also known as DIY, mechanic. I am NOT a professional mechanic. I do not have any formal training in the automotive field. I assume no liability for anything you choose to do to your car/vehicle or equipment before or after watching one of my videos. All DIY repairs or modifications you perform are made at your own risk. Sometimes, even if you've done everything the right way, you can destroy or damage one or more things on your car or equipment. You must understand this, but by leveraging knowledge and patience, the probability of encountering one or more problems can be reduced.
Also, if for some unfortunate reason, I do give incorrect instructions and something breaks because you followed my instructions, I will NOT reimburse or pay in any way for whatever cost that may be incurred due to following my wrong instructions.
Lastly, please don't do anything to your vehicle or equipment unless you yourself feel comfortable and confident in doing so.
Check out the video description for extra info, parts, tools, torques, and any updates.
This is an easy, low cost upgrade for us TJ owners.
Great video and links. Hardest part for me was the trim piece below the steering wheel. My TJ (97)doesn't have the column tilt to move it up and down. Ignition was getting in the way. Otherwise pretty simple.
Thanks for watching, Joshua. I totally feel your pain/frustration. I fight with that knee panel all the time, even with a tilt column. The service manual doesn't really help when it just says "Pull the upper edge of the steering column cover away from the instrument panel and past the headlamp switch knob and the ignition switch lock cylinder."
The ignition cylinder is pretty easy to remove (though I was a bit nervous the first time I did it).
th-cam.com/video/lgjpX-WJD50/w-d-xo.html
Greate video, I'm going to do this to my jeep. I have a 2001 Jeep Wrangler TJ. I saw the end part of your video, the Gauges to my jeep are not working so hope this works. Also I'm going to changes out the bulbs while I'm at it. Thanks!!
Nearly 2 years after posting this video, I still loved (past tense; just sold the TJ this week) the LED bulbs and it was still working perfectly. And I also never had an issue with the gauges after doing the dielectric grease shown in this video. I hope you have the same successes with your TJ!
Thanks for watching.
I was able to get the LED bulbs in and looks awesome, but the mileage, gas, and the rest of the gauges are still not working. Going to do more research and see if I can figure this out my own. Thanks!@@CarbonsDIYGarage
@@25thecat Glad the LED bulbs part worked, bummer about the rest. Good luck!
Thanks a bunch! Super helpful vid and parts link!
Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.
Another great video Ed! Thanks for the shout out😉!
You've inspired a good majority of my hefty credit card bill....LOL!
@@CarbonsDIYGarage Haha, sorry about that lol!
I know this is blasphemy but i was actually looking at grabbing one of the intellitronix units (blue).
Problem with them is they relay less information (no check engine light - dont know why the hell that wouldnt come stock for a jeep tj cluster lol) and they pretty much require hacking into the instrument wire harness. There's probably a reason that noone has instructions for that product.
This might be a good workaround though, i could get some blue T-5's and theoretically just change the colors for warning signals.
I couldn’t find the same bulbs in the video from RockAuto. Ended buying the ones listed from Amazon!
Thanks for watching and thanks for your support, Peter.
Enjoyed your video and have ordered led lights for my 98 jeep wrangler. But my odometer light is out. That’s what got me started! Do u have any suggestions?
Thanks for the kind words and feedback, Thad. Unfortunately, I've never ventured further into the instrument cluster than replacing these lights so I never accessed the area of the odometer (underneath the white cover of the back of the cluster) to know what's under there or if lighting is something you can easily fix. Maybe @ForceBuilt has been in there before? Not much help for you, unfortunately, but good luck!
What’s your experience driving at night after the upgrade, do you find them to be overly bright for your taste?
This question was one of my biggest worries but the upgraded/brighter bulbs did not bother me at all. My high school-aged son drove it as his daily driver and said the same; they didn't bother him.
Thanks for watching.
Love the "optional" comment
LOL! Yeah, I've come to discover that Previous Owner made a lot of interesting decisions over the years on which fasteners or parts were mandatory vs. optional. Thanks for watching, Adam.
The Amazon link is the 10 pack is that enough leds & sockets to replace all on the panel 05 TJ thanks
I don't know that I can give you a perfect answer on this one. I know the 97 - 99 TJs have the same instrument panel and they need 5 of the bulbs, so there would be 5 leftover. I don't know if the 05 is also the same. That said, even if the 05 needs more, 10 should be plenty.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. Thanks for watching, though, and good luck with your TJ!
@@CarbonsDIYGarage thanks for the reply anyway will try it out thanks again
@@austin3538 If you get a chance, drop a comment afterwards - the 97-99 breed is a bit niche so your results might help a bunch of folks wondering the same thing.
Did you change out the climate control panel lights as well?
I did not. Just the instrument cluster lights. Thanks for watching, Shelton.
ha i have same stereo in mine
Once changed to leds, are the lights still dimmable?
Good question, John. No they are not.
Thanks for watching.