DIY: Interior LED swap (cluster, HVAC, switches, window, *steering wheel)

emelianenkov said:
I get the very mature for a 17 year old thing a lot, maybe that accounts for some of my forgetfulness too? Haha. I enjoyed helping you out, and look forward to helping you later on!

Now for your first question; I bought about 25 blue and 15 white PLCC-2 LEDs. This is more than you need, but mistakes and defects happen!
Click to expand...
Cool thanks.

For your second question; you can actually buy completed bulbs for the DAC, 4WD, Diff lock, etc. from superbright, but I prefer Darkie's quality for those switch bulbs. His work better. You can get away with only having to solder just the gauges, steering wheel controls, and window switch. You don't necessarily need to make your own LED bulbs Darkie-style.

Thanks,
Alex
Click to expand...
Now I'm confused. Soldering is still required for the cluster guages? Hmmm.... this puts a damper on the project for me.

So which one of the following don't require soldering?
  1. HVAC controls (3 big circular knobs)
  2. HVAC screen
  3. Audio system
  4. Steering Wheel controls - Audio and Radio station
  5. Power window switch
  6. Rear hatch power window switch
  7. Defroster/heater button for rear hatch
  8. Recirc air button
  9. DAC button
  10. 4WD button on left of steering wheel
  11. Cluster guages (all three)
 
SilverGs said:
Now I'm confused. Soldering is still required for the cluster guages? Hmmm.... this puts a damper on the project for me.

So which one of the following don't require soldering?
  1. HVAC controls (3 big circular knobs)
  2. HVAC screen
  3. Audio system
  4. Steering Wheel controls - Audio and Radio station
  5. Power window switch
  6. Rear hatch power window switch
  7. Defroster/heater button for rear hatch
  8. Recirc air button
  9. DAC button
  10. 4WD button on left of steering wheel
  11. Cluster guages (all three)
Click to expand...

These do NOT require soldering:
-HVAC unit: (knobs, buttons, screen, defroster, recirc, etc.)
-All switches: (DAC, 4WD knob, diff lock, rear window)
-The bulbs for the shifter letters (center console, not on the dash) and the cup holders

That is all you can do for plug-'n-play LED swaps.

If you can drive your Lexus for about a week, even though you'll have to wash the hell out of it, I can solder your gauges just the same way as I did mine, so you get a perfect replication. Make your truck look like it rolled off the assembly line with charming white and blue interior lighting, instead of that hideous and frankly repulsive orange.

Up to you my friend!

Alex
 
emelianenkov said:
These do NOT require soldering:
-HVAC unit: (knobs, buttons, screen, defroster, recirc, etc.)
-All switches: (DAC, 4WD knob, diff lock, rear window)
-The bulbs for the shifter letters (center console, not on the dash) and the cup holders

That is all you can do for plug-'n-play LED swaps.

If you can drive your Lexus for about a week, even though you'll have to wash the hell out of it, I can solder your gauges just the same way as I did mine, so you get a perfect replication. Make your truck look like it rolled off the assembly line with charming white and blue interior lighting, instead of that hideous and frankly repulsive orange.

Up to you my friend!

Alex
Click to expand...
Thanks for the clarification and offer of help!

To summarize, the following don't require soldering.

  1. HVAC controls (3 big circular knobs) - NOT
  2. HVAC screen - NOT
  3. Audio system - NOT
  4. Bulbs for gear shifter letters (center console) - NOT
  5. Rear hatch power window switch - NOT
  6. Defroster/heater button for rear hatch - NOT
  7. Recirc air button - NOT
  8. DAC button - NOT
  9. 4WD button on left of steering wheel - NOT


However the following do require soldering
  1. Cluster guages (all three)
  2. Steering Wheel controls - Audio and Radio station
  3. Driver side Power window switch

As far as getting it done now, I will have to wait till the spring. :( I know, unfortunately, the Lexus is not even drivable in snow - Z-rated tires, too low. It would require modifications to drive it in the snow. See some pics here of the car http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ts-low-beams-fogs-oem-light-reflectors-4.html

Your offer of help is greatly appreciated however! :thumb3:
 
SilverGs said:
Thanks for the clarification and offer of help!

To summarize, the following don't require soldering.

  1. HVAC controls (3 big circular knobs) - NOT
  2. HVAC screen - NOT
  3. Audio system - NOT
  4. Bulbs for gear shifter letters (center console) - NOT
  5. Rear hatch power window switch - NOT
  6. Defroster/heater button for rear hatch - NOT
  7. Recirc air button - NOT
  8. DAC button - NOT
  9. 4WD button on left of steering wheel - NOT


However the following do require soldering
  1. Cluster guages (all three)
  2. Steering Wheel controls - Audio and Radio station
  3. Driver side Power window switch

As far as getting it done now, I will have to wait till the spring. :( I know, unfortunately, the Lexus is not even drivable in snow - Z-rated tires, too low. It would require modifications to drive it in the snow. See some pics here of the car http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ts-low-beams-fogs-oem-light-reflectors-4.html

Your offer of help is greatly appreciated however! :thumb3:
Click to expand...

The audio system (radio) DOES require soldering, and some QUITE intensive soldering at that!

I believe someone posted a link to a Tacoma thread where a guy swapped out the LEDs in his headunit. The LEDs he had to use are significantly smaller than the PLCC-2 LEDs.

Once spring rolls around, let me know if you want to send your gauges out to me! I'd be glad to help.

Alex
 
emelianenkov said:
The audio system (radio) DOES require soldering, and some QUITE intensive soldering at that!

I believe someone posted a link to a Tacoma thread where a guy swapped out the LEDs in his headunit. The LEDs he had to use are significantly smaller than the PLCC-2 LEDs.

Once spring rolls around, let me know if you want to send your gauges out to me! I'd be glad to help.

Alex
Click to expand...
I won't bother with the Audio system as I plan to eventually upgrade to an aftermarket Nav.
 
Hey Alex,

This is the lighting in a 2006 Civic Hybrid. Notice that all the letters, numbers, needles, symbols are all in white, however the background of all the gauges is blue. Is it easy to setup the dash of our trucks very close to this? I think it looks amazing like this.

IMG_5157.JPG


IMG_5153.JPG


IMG_5156.JPG


IMG_5159.JPG


IMG_5160.JPG
 
SilverGs said:
Hey Alex,

This is the lighting in a 2006 Civic Hybrid. Notice that all the letters, numbers, needles, symbols are all in white, however the background of all the gauges is blue. Is it easy to setup the dash of our trucks very close to this? I think it looks amazing like this.

IMG_5157.JPG


IMG_5153.JPG


IMG_5156.JPG


IMG_5159.JPG


IMG_5160.JPG
Click to expand...

Damn! Those are clean looking! Unfortunately, the way the gauge lighting is designed, we can't have the lights so focused. Mine look similar to those though!
 
Alex, can you please take a fairly close up pic of just your 3-guage cluster. I'm curious to see how it looks up close. Thanks!
 
darkie3495 said:
Yes, there is a way. You'll have to scrape the orange paint off the rear of the needle and replace it with the color of your choice.
Click to expand...

The needles are actually red. I BELIEVE you can remove a white or orange decal off of the back of the needle, but I'm not sure. The res looks good with the blue and white though!
 
emelianenkov said:
The needles are actually red. I BELIEVE you can remove a white or orange decal off of the back of the needle, but I'm not sure. The res looks good with the blue and white though!
Click to expand...

Needle color is based on model. My sport has orange needles while my dad's limited is red. Either way, it is paint that needs to either be scraped off with an exacto knife or removed with nail polish remover. However, if you decide to use nail polish remover, be careful with the sides of the needle because it will eat at the plastic and leave a dull finish.

SilverGs said:
It becomes transparent after removing the paint?
Click to expand...

Yes
 
darkie3495 said:
Needle color is based on model. My sport has orange needles while my dad's limited is red. Either way, it is paint that needs to either be scraped off with an exacto knife or removed with nail polish remover. However, if you decide to use nail polish remover, be careful with the sides of the needle because it will eat at the plastic and leave a dull finish.



Yes
Click to expand...

Worth a shot! I need to fix a couple LEDs anyway
 
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