Correct, just 6 for the gauges. If you do get those LED's, frost them (scuff the tips of the LED's with sandpaper) first before installing, this disperses the light better as LED's are quite directional.

Just picked up the rest of my LED's from Jaycar so they will go in tonight, fingers crossed - it looks like the heavens are about to open up

Some pic's of the end result so far.. My digital camera decides it doesn't have night mode so the cell phone camera will have to do




Those white LED's are a lot better than i originally expected, looks much better than the blue ones i had in before. However the blue LED's go real well behind the LCD's along with changing the filter out. For the filters i printed out a dark blue square in paint onto a piece of paper, cut it to shape and soaked it in silicon spray to get it somewhat transparent - turned out well in the end. Climate Control hasn't been done yet but will get it done when i grab another T10 LED in blue. Also pulled it apart to find the reason for the dull appearance the CC buttons had with the blue LED's, it's due to the rubber pad that sits between the buttons and the PCB - it's like a off-white colour so it affects the light a fair bit. I put my white LED's in there and they basically shine dull yellow so i will be modding the rubber pad somehow to let the light through properly. Also found that the LCD screen has to be de-soldered to change the filter so will have to sort that out when the time comes. Will most likely change the rear demister and aerial buttons to white LED's too.

And a couple of happy snaps from the weekend..

Sexy.

The cluster looks great. Are you still using EF Needles? I ordered 6 of those LEDS last weekend.

Did you rough up the tops like you mentioned to me?

I want to clarify too, the Rheostat (dimming function) of the cluster backlights will no longer function, correct?

Thanks bud. Yep, still using EF needles. I did have some EL needles laying around which i was going to strip the orange off and make red but dunno how well it would light up.

I just scuffed the tops of the LED's all around with 240 grit paper. Just do it very carefully because the LED "floats" inside the holder (i.e. the LED doesn't actually plug into the holder, it has the legs just soldered to the resistors and then to the contacts on the holder. I actually broke one of the LED's off from a resistor in the process and couldn't be stuffed trying to solder it back together because it's so small. If you can find some way to hold the LED part still while you scuff it with the sandpaper you will be alright.

The dimming function, i guess you are referring to using the rheostat to adjust the brightness of the cluster backlights? If so, the dimming function is still completely functional. I have mine set to full brightness in the pictures

Sounds good.

I just need to get a mid series cluster into the car now, I ended up changing cars.

Wow, did you end up swapping the Fairmont for your mate's EL Futura? I was thinking "nah, he won't do it, don't do it"

Yeah.

I loved the Fairmont but I was sick of fixing stuff. Front calipers were sticking so it kept warping rotors, back brakes were due as well. PS pump leaking and worn out, rack was clunking, needed rear tyres, diff was noisy, the whole exhaust was bent including the manifold, and one of the threads for the thermostat housing onto head was stripped, so it slowly weeped coolant.

The EL needs nothing, unless you count a stonechipped front bar?

Nothing a Fairmont front end can't fix hey

At least you came out of the swap a happy man, you now have a car that doesn't need anything right now so that's one less headache to worry about. Will be watching for a build thread on the EL then

The Fairmont front with an EF Fairmont grille looks mint on an EL. Have you seen Dumpstas? The red one.

I'll have to chuck up some pics of the EL, I'll slowly muck around with it.

hey mate cars looking good, done much on it lately? i'm looking at getting a fairmont at end of the year, dunno if i want an ef or el yet.

I'll drop you a pm ... I have a number of EF falcons, and fairmonts I am looking to get rid of by the end of the year.

Thanks Troy, nah haven't done much on it lately besides drive it.

Sadly, haven't got much money to put into it till i start working again. High on the list though is to get this spare head sorted out, get all the parts i need and get the machining work done, fit it then take it in to get dyno'd. Then get Ti Performance to sort out a J3 chip and custom tune for me and that'll be it for the engine side of things for now. Still have the boot install to think about, as well as a 2500rpm stall for the auto, 3.45 diff gears and LSD or lokka centre so there is still lots of work to be done

sounds good mate, didnt relise there was anyone on here from chch.



sounds like you will be needing to spend a bit of money on it for all that huh. it would be hard not working and wanting to do these awaiting mods

EF.

Have you made up those custom dial faces yet dude?

shouldnt cost more than $5 printing costs, and 30mins labour