Is there a way to change the color of the dash lights?
- Thread starter flnycus
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flnycus
New member
sorry i just found a link here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/14436-changing-dash-lights-pictures-blue.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/14436-changing-dash-lights-pictures-blue.html
darkie3495
Moderator
Just FYI guys, you can buy direct led replacements for the backlighting on the hvac, shifter, cup holders and switches. But, to change the color of your gauge cluster, steering wheel controls and drivers side window switch you will need to actually solder the LEDs in.
Edit: check out the led conversion link in my sig to see what the cluster work entails.
Edit: check out the led conversion link in my sig to see what the cluster work entails.
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empty403
New member
Here's what you would have to do: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ster-hvac-switches-window-steering-wheel.html
As what Darkie3495 you will need to solder the lights in. Take his advice as this is his awesome writeup for this mod.
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riceandpho
Elite Member
u should find someone who is close to u with very good solder skills, check the oznium site and look at the Surface Mount PLCC-2 SMT LEDs
check out toyota nation forum or tacomaworld, some might help u, i paid seth from the links and he was only 1 hour away from me, he fix my mishap and offers a lifetime warranty, very professional, he solder like a machine would do.
check out toyota nation forum or tacomaworld, some might help u, i paid seth from the links and he was only 1 hour away from me, he fix my mishap and offers a lifetime warranty, very professional, he solder like a machine would do.
Calif-4runner
New member
Darkie3495 you should set up a business to do the swap. I'd send you my guage cluster for the led swap. I bet others would too. Charge say $250 or so (maybe too low) and if you did 5 a week that would be a cool $1,000 bucks a week. Like others, I read you post (very nice write-up by the way) but it just seemed a bit too much for me to tackle. I'm solder iron challenged.
darkie3495
Moderator
I have considered it. There are the two major reasons that is preventing me from moving forward:
1. Time - With my day job, family, gf, traveling, etc taking up the majority of my free time, the only time i have to do it would be late at night or the weekend. So 5 per week would be a bit much.
2. Shipping - Since I would most likely need a 3-5 days (soldering, taking my own truck apart for testing, etc) the customer will be without the use of their truck for at least a week unless they have a spare cluster.
Ideally, if I was able to get a few sets of each part (clusters, steering wheel controls, etc) i can just sell them pre-made and have the customer send me their cluster.
If I ever start offering this, you'll be the first person I contact.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
:iagree:
Darkie3495 has shown he knows what he is doing beyond a shadow of a doubt, I would gladly pay $250 (or so) to convert to LED for my cluster.
Calif-4runner
New member
I will volunteer to be your first customer. I would gladly be without the truck for week to have white dash lights a week later. Just think this could replace your day job.!
Keep us posted. I would volunteer to source a couple of doner gauge clusters and steering wheel controls from Ebay to send your way. That way you could mod as you have time then sell/swap when you sell. Think of all the money you'll have for the GF. hahahahahaha
BlackWorksInc
New member
You could probably get some salvage yard parts for cheap, I would say snag the connectors for the components, make your own testing rig so you can just plug in your finished LED Cluster and test it before sending it back to the customer.
Turn-around time should be expected since this is a hand done single person job, the customer should already expect that they will be out of a cluster for a fair amount of time (like any other send us your part/vehicle and we'll customize it product/service)
Honestly you should be able to start a decent online business with as little as 10 grand in tools,parts, testing equipment, ect. The biggest factor would be time as you already stated...
Also Darkie I posted this idea in your other thread, but what do you think about setting up a cluster/HVAC system with these new PLCC sized multi-colored LEDs?
I figure if Ford can do it for their Mustangs why not our 4Runner? I wonder what your opinion on how to set them up and the drivers would be?
BlackWorksInc
New member
Hey Darkie, I just now noticed you're located in Seattle! You know the Euro-Asian Garage? Friend of mine runs it up in the Seattle area.
darkie3495
Moderator
Thanks, I'll keep you on the list too:thumb3:
Yeah, so there are a few difference between the years (face plate, transmission) and trims (SR5, Sport, Limited, V6 and V8) so i might have to get a list of interested parties so I know what to look for in used parts.
The GF and I have an agreement. She has her money, I have mine. Any money I generate from any side project is strictly for my personal toys.
If anything this would become a side business at best. I have spare connectors I acquired when I did mine to create a test rig with a 12V source. So I have most of the parts for that. Since 4Runner/toyota owners are a finite market, it would be hard to grow without expanding to other brands (what's the fun in that?!?!).
If I could start any business, it would be to design equipment for our trucks. I loved designing my roof rack (along with a few other things I'm currently designing for my 4Runner) but I want to learn how to weld so I'm not just the designer. Jason Perkins (Perkins Performance) did a fantastic job making my 3D CAD design into reality, but, I would have liked to do some of the fabbing myself (he would have let me if I asked him but I didn't want to burn his shop to the ground).
The short answer is no without major work on the circuit board itself. each of the multi-color LEDs would need 3 separate connections hooked up to a rotary switch to control all 3 colors at the same time.
I've heard of them. Never used them myself.
Sounds like you need to set up a Inc. Darkie!
Someday
