I recently overhauled the boring old gauge faces that came with the car and it pops out much better.

HOWEVER, the needles do not conduct light hardly at all and appear very dim. Red LEDs behind it gave some improvement for the needles but not enough and I would rather have the needles replaced. Each needle kinda has its own brightness and I want to fix it so they're all as bright as possible. As you can see, the tips of the MPH and RPM needles are no longer lit, and it is hard to see at night.


Does anyone happen to have any information on new speedometer needles I can get?
Which other speedo needles fit? Do other vehicles have similarly fitting needles?
And at the very least, how can I make them brighter?

 

I don't know of anyone that sells them separately. Likely consider a 'non-user-serviceable' part, and you would need to get the entire cluster.

 

I mean there’s also junkyards that have the needles themselves and you can just pull them out. I’ve pulled needles out before not sure why there’s none others available

 

probably not available because they dont really break or have any moving parts to them, (iirc) they are just a translucent plastic and the light shines in at the center, changing the needle likely wont affect how much light reaches the tip, you would need more light to make them brighter.

 

I’ve already improved the light behind them once. I upgraded from the crap incandescents that came with it (which might’ve damaged the hands) to red LEDs that are much brighter. All the red LEDs are the same bulb, however each needle is a different brightness

 

The RPM and MPH from the 2008-2014 CHEVY TAHOE will work for the 01-03 Durango/Dakota. However the side gauge hands do not work

 

With the upgrade, how much glare are you getting at night from the LED's? I assume that the LED's are no longer adjustable with the D's brightness selector or does it still work? I'm interested in doing something similar to my '00 Durango.

Thanks,

Steve

 

Any glare I get doesn’t bother me at all actually. I don’t think I get any. If you’ve ever been in a more modern car where the cluster is LED-backlit, it’s kinda the same deal here. The dimmer works slightly but not how it used to. I usually keep it high anyway honestly. However my glow gauges have a separate switch and dimmer for them

 

Also if you’d like I can send you links for an upgrade package on the cluster for a 2000 Dodge Durango

 

That would be great, thank you!