Change all dash lights to blue? 2010 4Runner
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Foques
New member
I'm toying with this idea right now.. Just can't decide on a color..
It was done on all my previous toyotas.. so, I am tempted.
you would end up getting LED, Vynils, and replace each LED by removing the existing one, and soldering on a new one.
Cut out a vynil in a proper shape, and you're done.
It was done on all my previous toyotas.. so, I am tempted.
you would end up getting LED, Vynils, and replace each LED by removing the existing one, and soldering on a new one.
Cut out a vynil in a proper shape, and you're done.
Foques
New member
sure, its possible. Just need to figure out what you need aside from LEDs; we had to use some resistors back on my tC.
Takes about 2-3 hours.
BTW, I'd suggest to stay away from blue, it is not very eye-friendly during night driving. That was the first color swap I had in tC, and I hated it.
Also, what model is the 4r? I am referring strictly to the SR5 cluster.
Takes about 2-3 hours.
BTW, I'd suggest to stay away from blue, it is not very eye-friendly during night driving. That was the first color swap I had in tC, and I hated it.
Also, what model is the 4r? I am referring strictly to the SR5 cluster.
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gamerc
New member
I'm also considering this, but the only ones that matter to me are the clock and the temp control cluster; I'm starting to dislike the orange. So that part is vinyl, but that leaves the temp control cluster which is a bunch of LEDs. not really a big deal, just a matter of finding a color scheme I like that won't be distracting. I'm not sure I would mess with my dash more than the vinyl overlay that is in the center (goes over the PRND ring)
Antman
Elite Member
Well...I have been messing around with my dash lately. I've had it apart but haven't taken the needles off yet to access the LED's. I want to change the color of the LEDS that feed the clear plastic markers around the edge of the speedo. I removed the silver trim ring- which gives an awesome effect at night. Like a light tunnel- I like it alot. I have a few things I'll be posting up soon. (sorry for mini hijack)
I don't have the tools to desolder, yet. I'll wait for Foques to post it probably!!
I don't have the tools to desolder, yet. I'll wait for Foques to post it probably!!
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Antman
Elite Member
Here ya go- I was going to wait and post some of these in my thread. Still might later...
This is the trim ring I removed. You don't even need to break anything, Antman style. It just lifts right off.
Dash Before
Dash After
Lit up without the ring...
This looks really cool at night- not too bright- but it lights up the entire speedo "tunnel" just enough to add some coolness ...
I want to make the plastic markers on the speedo white- like the Optitron, or possibly red. I believe their source is the LED's from the information display. I have to get the balls to remove the needles...:wow2:
I also removed the knobs for the fan, A/C, and the HVAC select. They come apart like a puzzle, and the lighted indicator slides right out. It's molded orange (damn!) and clear, with an orange LED lighting it. I painted one indicator with VHS taillight tint (red), but the results were, as expected, a dull red glow. Removed paint. I did some tests, and with a bright enough red LED, the pointers will glow red, even though the plastic is orange.
Anyways, that's where I'm headed. I can solder wires pretty well... circuitboards? :shrug: I will practice on some old TV or something for awhile first! Let's make this work!
This is the trim ring I removed. You don't even need to break anything, Antman style. It just lifts right off.
Dash Before
Dash After
Lit up without the ring...
This looks really cool at night- not too bright- but it lights up the entire speedo "tunnel" just enough to add some coolness ...
I want to make the plastic markers on the speedo white- like the Optitron, or possibly red. I believe their source is the LED's from the information display. I have to get the balls to remove the needles...:wow2:
I also removed the knobs for the fan, A/C, and the HVAC select. They come apart like a puzzle, and the lighted indicator slides right out. It's molded orange (damn!) and clear, with an orange LED lighting it. I painted one indicator with VHS taillight tint (red), but the results were, as expected, a dull red glow. Removed paint. I did some tests, and with a bright enough red LED, the pointers will glow red, even though the plastic is orange.
Anyways, that's where I'm headed. I can solder wires pretty well... circuitboards? :shrug: I will practice on some old TV or something for awhile first! Let's make this work!
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phillyd2
Senior Member
I know when dealing with a sick person with a serious addiction real friends are suppose to stage some sort of intervention so they can get help to finally put down the pipe. I guess we are not very good friends.......keep going guys.....this I've got to see done! :hungry:
Foques
New member
Well, we tore apart my cluster last night..
Bad news and good news.
The bad news is that the faceplates are painted. What that means is that orange color is not coming from LEDs like it did in lower level models.
LEDs behind the faceplates are white, and the faceplates are painted orange. Thus the only way to change colors to blue is to sand the back of the faceplate or to get a custom one made.
the back of faceplates as also a plastic protective film. So, rubing alcohol solution will not be available (in Infiniti, one can just rub the paint off with a q tip and polish remover)
the screen on the speedometer is same as in many other Yotas... which means it is VERY fragile.
The good news is that circuit board isn't much different from other toyotas. If one wants to have red LEDs, it can be done without sanding or anything else crazy.
Notification icon backgrounds are transparent, and can be changed to anything.
this looks to be the sum of the LEDs that are needed:
17 plcc LEDs for numbers
10 LEDs for needles
33 LEDs for warning lights
5 LEDs for odo screen
I was considering going red, so i'm in a pretty ok place at the moment.
i'll post a couple of pictures soon; didn't get home early enough last night.
Bad news and good news.
The bad news is that the faceplates are painted. What that means is that orange color is not coming from LEDs like it did in lower level models.
LEDs behind the faceplates are white, and the faceplates are painted orange. Thus the only way to change colors to blue is to sand the back of the faceplate or to get a custom one made.
the back of faceplates as also a plastic protective film. So, rubing alcohol solution will not be available (in Infiniti, one can just rub the paint off with a q tip and polish remover)
the screen on the speedometer is same as in many other Yotas... which means it is VERY fragile.
The good news is that circuit board isn't much different from other toyotas. If one wants to have red LEDs, it can be done without sanding or anything else crazy.
Notification icon backgrounds are transparent, and can be changed to anything.
this looks to be the sum of the LEDs that are needed:
17 plcc LEDs for numbers
10 LEDs for needles
33 LEDs for warning lights
5 LEDs for odo screen
I was considering going red, so i'm in a pretty ok place at the moment.
i'll post a couple of pictures soon; didn't get home early enough last night.
Antman
Elite Member
THX! I did notice last time I had it out (er- the dash), the clear markers are actually part of a light "tunnel" that lights the speedo. Sucks! That means it would not be easy to make just the markers red, and leave the guage orange. I experimented with red taillight tint, but I am a horrible painter... it would probably work though...Moving forward- what's next?
Foques
New member
I am talking to a company that made overlays for my other car.. Trying to see if they can do something like OEM but with either clear film or with a film colored by request.
If that fails, I am going to try finding me a broken cluster / OEM faceplates, and see if I can get the paint off without too much damage. - this will depend greatly on the cost.. since I am perfectly content with red gauges.
biggest project - getting the woman out of house for the weekend so that we have enough time for the whole project.
Oh, and I am going to look for a replacement LCD screen.. something tells me i'm going to crack my current one.
I still need to pull the center screen, and see what we have there, and if those are LEDs or bulbs... that screen i'm especially worried about.. those long LCD panels are fragile.
If that fails, I am going to try finding me a broken cluster / OEM faceplates, and see if I can get the paint off without too much damage. - this will depend greatly on the cost.. since I am perfectly content with red gauges.
biggest project - getting the woman out of house for the weekend so that we have enough time for the whole project.
Oh, and I am going to look for a replacement LCD screen.. something tells me i'm going to crack my current one.
I still need to pull the center screen, and see what we have there, and if those are LEDs or bulbs... that screen i'm especially worried about.. those long LCD panels are fragile.
offroadingatc
New member
I contemplated doing this mod, also contemplated attempting a opti-tron upgrade but that idea fell off the bandwagan (hey maybe this will revive it!)
I never could figure out why they went with orange, i dont think it has the obvious advantages of red, so why not go white?
I never could figure out why they went with orange, i dont think it has the obvious advantages of red, so why not go white?
Foques
New member
Orange is a passive color, after looking at it in the dark, it does not burn into your eyes. White does, so does green or light blue.
I had those colors, and will never consider them again.
Red is, psychologically, more agressive color. (though, it never stopped audi from putting out fun to drive cars)
I had those colors, and will never consider them again.
Red is, psychologically, more agressive color. (though, it never stopped audi from putting out fun to drive cars)
