lexusk8

I'm really getting tired of the look of my instrument gauge cluster in my '96 ES. My needles are fine, it's the backlighting that bothers me. Right now, it's looking very yellow everywhere (it only seems nice at nighttime).



I'm wondering if it's possible to utilize backlighting bulbs out of a 2nd-gen SC or '98+, which give off a bright whitish look. This picture came off of a '98 SC400 somewhere in this forum, sorry I couldn't find and name the person to whom I give credit



If anyone on this board has any idea about this kind of "conversion", please let me know and/or post on this thread. Thanks so much

Oh, and FYI, the bulbs from '97+ ES don't fit into the 1st-gen ES because of the socket size and the differing style of the gauge cluster.

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

the bulbs have a little bit to do with the color, but not as much as you might think. the bulbs sit in a reflector made of plexiglass. condensation can change the color as it grows older and heat provides moisture in small increments in, on, and around the cluster and bulbs. you have the option to use "newer" blue sleeves on the bulbs and it will make the face appear more of a light blue/white appearance. the bulbs burn naturally amber in color, but the sleeves are older and the new one's will help a lot.. the blue ofsets the amber and turns it silverish blue. the cluster itself is different in more ways than appearance. this has to be the most technical cluster i've seen. there are hundreds of electrical components inside of it and computer chips are on 8 spots in the cluster. these chips, routing of the electronics, and motherboard have changed a little over the years to accomidate new features and whether or not it could be made to work, i don't honestly know.

here, take a peek inside: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hlight=cluster