girdnerg
1st Gear Poster
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2023
- Messages
- 44
- Location
- Eastern Oklahoma
- Vehicle Details
- 1994 Ford Thunderbird LX 4.6L V8
![United-States Country flag](https://forum.birdcats.com/data/files/misc/flags/shiny/32/United-States.png)
Did this a while back and thought I would share.
Changing interior bulbs to LED (and some exterior).
NOTE 1: leds can be polarized meaning the have a positive and negative. If the bulb does not illuminate, simple flip or rotate it 180 degrees and plug it back in. If you are replacing dim-able bulbs, make sure the led bulbs you buy are also dim-able.
These round bulbs only light up on one side, so point them correctly when installing.
-Round, fuse type dome/map light bulbs in my 1994 - #578 X 3
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WYXT2VW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Round, fuse type Vanity mirror light bulbs in visor - #6614 X 4
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081DHQLHK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Rear dome/side panel light bulbs are #98 which cross reference to #1156 X 2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VMFRPNX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Bought a bulk pack of #194 for door, kick panel, 3rd brake light, license plate, under hood, and trunk bulb. These bulbs all have the same base, so no need to buy other sizes.
#194 will also fit the glove box, under hood bulb.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079L3WBDN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I decided I needed more light in the trunk and under hood than the 300lm of the 194 bulbs, so I bought some #921 led bulbs that put out 500lm. Much better for my old eyesight. I have very dark tint on the car so I replaced the 3rd brake light bulbs with the 921s also.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076V9XXW6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
NOTE 2: Since the 194 and 921 led bulbs have the same base, they are interchangeable. The difference is in the length of the bulb (0.96" for the 194 - 1.26" for the 921). Brightness would most likely weigh in the most in your decision on which to use.
1. Headlights were the most drastic change. I absolutely love the change of color from yellow to daylight white. Of course brightness was the best upgrade.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GT5G6V7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2. Reverse/Back-up bulbs are the next best investment for me since I have such dark tint. I was having to roll the windows down to see out the mirrors. These things are like 2 small flashlights pointing out the back.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MDUEBX1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. The dome light is almost too bright, but I can actually read with the map lights now. The rear dome/side panel lights in the rear even look good through the brown semi-burnt lenses.
4. Door, kick panel, and license plate bulbs are perfect at 194 bulbs. For me, the 921 bulbs were just too bright for these positions.
So far, I love all the changes to led. I haven't once thought "I'm changing that bulb back." Car just seems newer.
I'm not in a hurry to change the rest of the Exterior lights.
Hope this helps.
Rob
To help with searches:
Interior bulb numbers
Change interior bulbs to LED
LED Headlight bulb
Reverse light LED bulb
Conversion to LED bulbs
Changing interior bulbs to LED (and some exterior).
NOTE 1: leds can be polarized meaning the have a positive and negative. If the bulb does not illuminate, simple flip or rotate it 180 degrees and plug it back in. If you are replacing dim-able bulbs, make sure the led bulbs you buy are also dim-able.
These round bulbs only light up on one side, so point them correctly when installing.
-Round, fuse type dome/map light bulbs in my 1994 - #578 X 3
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WYXT2VW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Round, fuse type Vanity mirror light bulbs in visor - #6614 X 4
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081DHQLHK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Rear dome/side panel light bulbs are #98 which cross reference to #1156 X 2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VMFRPNX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Bought a bulk pack of #194 for door, kick panel, 3rd brake light, license plate, under hood, and trunk bulb. These bulbs all have the same base, so no need to buy other sizes.
#194 will also fit the glove box, under hood bulb.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079L3WBDN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I decided I needed more light in the trunk and under hood than the 300lm of the 194 bulbs, so I bought some #921 led bulbs that put out 500lm. Much better for my old eyesight. I have very dark tint on the car so I replaced the 3rd brake light bulbs with the 921s also.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076V9XXW6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
NOTE 2: Since the 194 and 921 led bulbs have the same base, they are interchangeable. The difference is in the length of the bulb (0.96" for the 194 - 1.26" for the 921). Brightness would most likely weigh in the most in your decision on which to use.
1. Headlights were the most drastic change. I absolutely love the change of color from yellow to daylight white. Of course brightness was the best upgrade.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GT5G6V7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2. Reverse/Back-up bulbs are the next best investment for me since I have such dark tint. I was having to roll the windows down to see out the mirrors. These things are like 2 small flashlights pointing out the back.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MDUEBX1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. The dome light is almost too bright, but I can actually read with the map lights now. The rear dome/side panel lights in the rear even look good through the brown semi-burnt lenses.
4. Door, kick panel, and license plate bulbs are perfect at 194 bulbs. For me, the 921 bulbs were just too bright for these positions.
So far, I love all the changes to led. I haven't once thought "I'm changing that bulb back." Car just seems newer.
I'm not in a hurry to change the rest of the Exterior lights.
Hope this helps.
Rob
To help with searches:
Interior bulb numbers
Change interior bulbs to LED
LED Headlight bulb
Reverse light LED bulb
Conversion to LED bulbs