DIY: Interior LED swap (cluster, HVAC, switches, window, *steering wheel)
- Thread starter darkie3495
- Start date
Jeffy
New member
Yea I'm definitely gonna miss that v8
It's pretty simple. When I did mine, it was my first ever attempt at soldering and I managed to get it done perfectly.
Lexus overhead console? I'd like to hear more about that! Have you done a write-up on putting that in?
This is a project that I have been working on for a while now. First and foremost, I want to give a big shout out to my buddy Bill for helping me out by cutting a few pieces on his CNC mill and coming up with a better idea than what I had in mind.
A few months ago I replaced my factory head unit with a single din unit so that I could have a bluetooth connection while driving. One thing that kind of irritated me about the single din adapter is the goofy pocket right below the radio. Here is what I came up with to make things look a lot better.
When I have time, I'll try to get some more pictures posted up showing how this was done. Let me know what you think.
That. Is. AWESOME!!!!
#want
on the first page.. where is the instructions on how to change the bulbs on the main tach/speedo instrument cluster?
it shows how to take it off, but not how to swap out the lights... step 7 says take a picture of dials.. then it skips to the hvac bulbs..
am I missing something here?
thanks
it shows how to take it off, but not how to swap out the lights... step 7 says take a picture of dials.. then it skips to the hvac bulbs..
am I missing something here?
thanks
zidaro
New member
Ha, just bought [MENTION=107314]Cisco Kid[/MENTION] (Jeffs) 4runner off him last week.
amazing amount of work going into changing all the LED/dash to blue, plus a sweet custom dash plaque.
Virtual TWiT
New member
Going RGB?
One of my AC cluster lights died and I'm going to replace all the lights and get it over with. I really want to be able to vary the color and I'm thinking of designing an RGB system, perhaps with a separate needle color and remote control via an android app. And maybe syncing it with exterior lighting.
One of my AC cluster lights died and I'm going to replace all the lights and get it over with. I really want to be able to vary the color and I'm thinking of designing an RGB system, perhaps with a separate needle color and remote control via an android app. And maybe syncing it with exterior lighting.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
Way back then, t4r.org changed servers or something like that, and the continuity of the thread was broken. The missing steps ARE there, the OP did repost them, but I can't remember which pages they are in.
I'm getting it figured out...
I bought these 12V 3mm LEDs and using the twist lock plastic holders. These work well for the HVAC controls and push buttons around the dash/console area.
http://www.led-switch.com/12 volt LED.htm
I got the MCD 1500 12V white diffused LEDs. It looks the same in the HVAC area as post #1 without the hassle of having to solder on a resistor (since they are built in).
I bought these 12V 3mm LEDs and using the twist lock plastic holders. These work well for the HVAC controls and push buttons around the dash/console area.
http://www.led-switch.com/12 volt LED.htm
I got the MCD 1500 12V white diffused LEDs. It looks the same in the HVAC area as post #1 without the hassle of having to solder on a resistor (since they are built in).
<B>Swap Window LED</B>
Now that your cluster, individual switches and HVAC is pretty much done, time for the window switch.
Here is the orange LED that you want to replace
Here it is after the swap (be careful..you can see my iron accidentally touched the plastic harness next to the LED)
Can someone help me figure out why I am getting a flashing LED for the driver's window switch?
I have soldered a standard 3mm LED on in place of the existing amber one.
I got the LEDs from this site: http://www.led-switch.com/3mm LED.htm
3mm White With White Diffused Lens
I have also tried some with the resistors built in (12V 3mm) and they also flash.
It is a slow flash - 2 slow flashes with a longer pause in between.
Is there a specific LED that I need for this switch backlight?
magert54
New member
I noticed it's a pain in the balls to take off the white cover on your hvac to change the "passenger" light. As I was dremeling the plastic piece it hit me to just put tape over the plastic piece covering the light. Now it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.
I bought the replacement leds. But for all the hassle. I don't need the word passenger lit up. Just an option.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I bought the replacement leds. But for all the hassle. I don't need the word passenger lit up. Just an option.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have done this conversion..
I am waiting on some NEO4 HP for the 4WD and the info display (i will do the 12 volt mod, being I haven't seen any NEO4s out there)..
The instrument cluster came out amazing 10/10
I changed the HVAC indicators to blue, and the backlighting white, I love it..
My only complaint is on the HVAC the back lighting is brighter in certain spots than others.. I assume that is because of the location of the LED in all three knobs, I used NEO3s.. Is there a solution to that or is that just what it is????
thanks..
I am waiting on some NEO4 HP for the 4WD and the info display (i will do the 12 volt mod, being I haven't seen any NEO4s out there)..
The instrument cluster came out amazing 10/10
I changed the HVAC indicators to blue, and the backlighting white, I love it..
My only complaint is on the HVAC the back lighting is brighter in certain spots than others.. I assume that is because of the location of the LED in all three knobs, I used NEO3s.. Is there a solution to that or is that just what it is????
thanks..
were you shipped the flashing ones?
It blinks bc the auto function on the button needs to be reset.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
CookieRoe
Senior Member
You are talking about "hot spots". They are inevitable b/c LED throw directional light. A regular incandescent bulb is omnidirectional. So, a light disperser would be needed, only there is a very limited amount of space in the HVAC assembly.
My 12V mod: I re-engineered my HVAC screen. I had reverse-polarized film installed on the screen, so the factory light (or any LED bulb) practically did nothing to illuminate the screen. Like I said, I gutted the assembly to accommodate LED strips. Problem with that, is that I got MASSIVE hot spots.
Gutted inside the HVAC panel:
Desired effect, only TONS dimmer: (looks good here b/c the pic was taken with very little light. At night, the display looked awesome. In the daytime, it was bearly visible)
I WILL make adjustments to my HVAC lighting, I just have to find the time to do it. i purchased more dense LED strips AND got light disperser. That should do the trick.
If not, well, as James May would say, "C*CK!:
Last edited:
Similar threads
