LM3914: Temperature Rating

How do you use the lp8555 or lp3943 to produce a linear bar graph?  After reviewing these datasheets, these parts do not seem to be comparable except they do something with LEDs.  It's like suggesting someone use a high temperature comparitor for increasing the voltage range of an analog signal.  There is amplification there, but it doesn't quite do the right thing.  Get us some example circuits of the dot and bar graph circuits, and absolutely.  Else, this answer sucks.  If I am wrong, and there is a way of getting this to work without gobs of extra components, that would be really neat.  Please show.  

most basic configuration of the lm3914, simple bar graph with 5v input, and a measured voltage from 0v-5v which is then displayed as some number of lit LEDs.  Show us this and I would be very happy.  Else, this is just a dead end.  NTE produces some look alike circuits which they don't specify an operating range.  They may do it.  That is the NTE1508.  Not saying you won't may be better than saying that you won't I suppose.  The lp8555 and the lp3943, are specified to -40C which is better, however I don't see how they are anywhere near anything but a complete re-engineering of any circuit which used the lm3914.  That wouldn't necessarily be horrible either if the new circuit was reasonably straight forward, but after reviewing the datasheet, I don't even see anything close to straight forward for getting this to work.  TI please correct if I am wrong.  I would LOVE to see an elegant, clean implementation of even the basic configuration of the lm3914 using either the lp8555 or the lp3943.  What I am seeing is that there is no ADC capability in the lp8555.  It does wonderful things, but not changing and analog signal into a number of LEDs.  Short of connecting a high precision ADC with a microprocessor (almost a requirement as this unit requires either a pwm or a I2C master), and then connecting this to the lp8555.  All the lp8555 does is control the current.  I can do this with resistors in most cases.  The advantage of the lm3914 is a low component count, highly stable implementation of a voltage measurement device output to an array of levels in an open collector configuration which has a configurable current.  If you can use the suggested parts, please point too an example circuit using these parts.  Else, this post would seem to be crazy.  For companies which NEED an lm3914 in a military or industrial range device, are there offerings, and/or if there was a large enough demand, could there be an offering for such.  I am needing something on the order of -55C to 100C.  (Yeah, most LEDs don't lite under those conditions, however LEDs are only one load which is possible to drive and not what I am primarily interested in).

Thank you for any and all of your help.