4th gen dashboard illumination change

[greasefingers]

OK I have done a search and came up with nil. I really would like to change the illumination of the dashboard lights. I do not like the dismal orange-yellow color. I am not sure if it is just a bulb-color replacement that is needed to change the color, or if any dashboard covers/lenses play a role in the appearance? Has anyone tried to change the color or done any research that they can share about this?

 

[CMiYC]

This question has come up before on here (links below.) It was tough to find them. I searched for "4th gen dash".

The 4th gen dash uses surface mount LEDs and not "light bulbs." You'll have to locate each of the LEDs, unsolder them, and solder in replacements.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4960&highlight=4th+dash

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4629&highlight=4th+dash

this page has a link to the page that tells how to remove the dash
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3497&highlight=4th+dash

 

[greasefingers]

Thanks for the reply. I have the factory service manuals and I can solder, I guess I will have to try an experiment. I will remove the HVAC controls module and play with it. It may be hard to locate direct replacement LEDs in a different color. Once de-soldered, I can measure the ohms in order to calculate the wattage using P=IV.

 

[Satman]

LED's measure "0" ohms, open circuit:awais:

 

[the irishman]

It is difficult to "reverse engineer" the LED usage because surface mount LEDs don't have any markings on them to help determine their ratings. Try this ploy...near the LED should be a resistor in series with it (careful, according the the wiring diagrams in the shop manual there are also some LEDs with resistors in parallel as well), this is a current limiting resistor. With the LEDs illuminated measure the voltage across the resistor. With the LEDs not powered, measure the resistance of the resistor. Now Ohm's law (E/R) will tell you the current through the LED.

Now the difficult part...find an LED color that you like, then you will see that for any given voltage and current, the LEDs will come in various brightness ratings. Now it's trial & error time. Good luck.

 

[TranceKrayz]

it would be easier but more expensive if one has access to JDM and swap with the hilux surf since their dashes are blue.

 

[CMiYC]

LED's measure "0" ohms, open circuit:awais:

If it measures 0 ohms, that's a short.

Some DMMs don't use a high enough voltage to breakdown the diode's junction. Ohm settings will always measure an open since the junction remains open. Usually there's a "diode" setting which will measure the breakdown voltage... and light up the led when the leads are attatched correctly.

Don't worry about finding direct LED replacements. LEDs all drop about the same voltage. They are just diodes after all. If you get the same physical size (replace 1206 with a 1206, for example) you should be fine.

The only case you need to really think about is swapping to Blue LEDs. Their junctions tend to drop a relatively larger voltage and draw a little more current.

Fortunately, the 4th gen comes with a built in current limiter... j/k ... do the wiring diagrams show how the illumination brightness control works? I'd imagine it is just a current limiter since varying the voltage across a diode is a pointless exercise...

 

[Satman]

If it measures 0 ohms, that's a short.



Sorry. been using a digital meter to long.
(mine shows "000" when open)