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

[darkie3495]

i just did my HVAC lights along with the climate LCD.

my problem is that i'm getting an uneven light output for the three HVAC (Fan/Temp/Position) buttons. it seems like the bottom left corner is the brightest and the other parts are dim. i've tried pointing the LED towards the center a bit, but it seems like Darkie didn't angle them at all. i'm talking about the long skinny bulb holders.

any reason why this is or how i can fix it? thanks guys :sadwave:

its a result of how focused the led is. are you using flat top or round top LED's?

if you're using round tops, you might want to test shortening the bulb holder a bit to see if you can throw more light towards the reflector to lighten up the rest of the switch and also dim the hot spot you're experiencing.The issue is that the reflector is level with the top edge of the bulb holder and so by shortening the height, hopefully more light will hit it.

If you're using flat tops, what is the angle that the light is projected? if it's narrow, you might want to try a much wider beam pattern and test different holder heights. I have a bit of a hot spot too but it's only noticeable when you really look at it.

Hope this helps. if you figure it out, repost what you find so others can benefit.

Good luck,

Kevin

 

[PharmSCRunner]

its a result of how focused the led is. are you using flat top or round top LED's?

if you're using round tops, you might want to test shortening the bulb holder a bit to see if you can throw more light towards the reflector to lighten up the rest of the switch and also dim the hot spot you're experiencing.The issue is that the reflector is level with the top edge of the bulb holder and so by shortening the height, hopefully more light will hit it.

If you're using flat tops, what is the angle that the light is projected? if it's narrow, you might want to try a much wider beam pattern and test different holder heights. I have a bit of a hot spot too but it's only noticeable when you really look at it.

Hope this helps. if you figure it out, repost what you find so others can benefit.

Good luck,

Kevin

Thanks for the reply Kevin... my name is Kevin too :thumb3:

I'm using the flat top LEDs you are using (off Ebay) and I actually shortened the bulb holder already. I pretty much cut it in half with a razor blade to shorten the height, hoping it would spread the light output more. I'm still getting pretty noticeable hotspots though and it's kind of driving me nuts. I'm a bit OCD

I angled the LED a bit but it hasn't helped much. Anyone else having this issue? Any other ideas?

4Runner8... are you using the neo3 bulbs off superbriteleds.com? Do those give an even light output on the controls? I may just switch over to those.

-Kevin

 

[propman07]

Thanks for the reply Kevin... my name is Kevin too :thumb3:

I'm using the flat top LEDs you are using (off Ebay) and I actually shortened the bulb holder already. I pretty much cut it in half with a razor blade to shorten the height, hoping it would spread the light output more. I'm still getting pretty noticeable hotspots though and it's kind of driving me nuts. I'm a bit OCD

I angled the LED a bit but it hasn't helped much. Anyone else having this issue? Any other ideas?

4Runner8... are you using the neo3 bulbs off superbriteleds.com? Do those give an even light output on the controls? I may just switch over to those.

-Kevin

Hey....my name is not Kevin, but can I add in my $0.02?

I had the same problem with my LEDs. I bought the same ones off of e-Bay, but noticed a hot spot. I tried to re-aim them with no luck. I bought some of the NEO bulbs off of superbriteleds.com and they seem to work a lot better. The overall light coverage seen through the controls is better, but there is still a slight hot spot. Originally, I didn't order enough, so I am running a NEO bulb for the fan controller (far left knob) and a DIY LED on the middle and far right control knob. I'll try to take some pics tonight. I will also post the P/N for the NEO bulbs in case anyone else is interested.

David

 

[PharmSCRunner]

Hey....my name is not Kevin, but can I add in my $0.02?

I had the same problem with my LEDs. I bought the same ones off of e-Bay, but noticed a hot spot. I tried to re-aim them with no luck. I bought some of the NEO bulbs off of superbriteleds.com and they seem to work a lot better. The overall light coverage seen through the controls is better, but there is still a slight hot spot. Originally, I didn't order enough, so I am running a NEO bulb for the fan controller (far left knob) and a DIY LED on the middle and far right control knob. I'll try to take some pics tonight. I will also post the P/N for the NEO bulbs in case anyone else is interested.

David

David, thanks a lot for the info!

I'm thinking of ordering from superbriteleds also. Which color did you go with and was it the High Power (HP) one? NeoWedge series LED Lamp Specifications

it seems like the HP ones have a greater beam pattern, so that may be better for less hotspots...?

 

[propman07]

David, thanks a lot for the info!

I'm thinking of ordering from superbriteleds also. Which color did you go with and was it the High Power (HP) one? NeoWedge series LED Lamp Specifications

it seems like the HP ones have a greater beam pattern, so that may be better for less hotspots...?

Hey-

I didn't order the HP LEDs, I went with the regular ones, white in color. I wanted to see if it would make a difference, and they were only $1.29 a piece. They aren't a perfect fit, as they fit a little on the snug side, but other than that, I like the way they look. I haven't had time to swap out the other LEDs to the ones from superbriteLEDs.com. The main reason that I swapped them out was because I had bad connections on the two behind the LCD display. Once I pulled out my DIY LEDs and put in the manufactured ones, that fixed the flickering backlight problem that I had.

I guess that you could try the HP ones and see how they work.

I can get you the exact quantities that I ordered when I get home from work later today.

David

 

[shuneycutt]

I just moved up from an S2000 to a 4th gen 4Runner. On the S2000 forums we had the same mod. There was the option of sending in your instrument cluster and paying to have the conversion done and sent back.

darkie3495 would you be interested in this type of model?

 

[propman07]

I'll try to take some pics tonight. I will also post the P/N for the NEO bulbs in case anyone else is interested.

David

I finally got some time to get the pics. Here they are. First, some details on the type of bulbs I swapped out.

Here is what I found out. These specs are for a 2009 4Runner with the Urban Runner trim package.

LCD Display
2 10mm bulbs

Control knobs
3 8mm bulbs

Defroster and Recirculate buttons
2 8mm bulbs

Reset/Mode buttons
1 8mm bulb

These are measurements that I took of the original bulbs. I had used the info in this thread to make my own LED replacement bulbs. I bought the LEDs and resistors, soldered each of them up, and replaced them. I had some trouble with some of the LEDs flickering, which started me on my search for a straight replacement LED. I found them at superbriteleds.com. Here is what I purchased.

2 NEO4-W 10mm White LEDs (2 @ $1.29 ea)
6 NEO3-W 8mm White LEDs (6 @ $1.29 ea)

They were very easy to install. Simply unscrew the olds one, and put in the new LEDs. I gave them 1/4 of a turn to lock in place, then powered up the display to confirm polarity on the LEDs.

Here is an after picture. Please note that the HVAC knobs in the middle and on the right have the DIY LEDs installed. The HVAC knob on the left has the NEO style purchased from superbriteleds.com. I'll try to get a pic of the after because I swapped out all of the DIY LEDs for the NEO style.

NeoWedge series LED Lamp Specifications

Here is a shot of the back of the HVAC unit. I marked the different LEDs accordingly.

It was definitely a challenge to solder the LEDs and resistors in the small bulb holder. I also had to drill out the two openings for the legs of the LEDs as they were larger than the stock bulbs that I replaced. If I had it to do again, I would opt to buy the new LEDs instead of making my own.

Comments/questions welcomed.

 

[darkie3495]

There was the option of sending in your instrument cluster and paying to have the conversion done and sent back.

darkie3495 would you be interested in this type of model?

I have been discussing doing this for a couple of TR4.org members. Once i figure out the pricing and find the time, I can offer my services.

2 NEO4-W 10mm White LEDs (2 @ $1.29 ea)
6 NEO3-W 8mm White LEDs (6 @ $1.29 ea)

It was definitely a challenge to solder the LEDs and resistors in the small bulb holder. I also had to drill out the two openings for the legs of the LEDs as they were larger than the stock bulbs that I replaced. If I had it to do again, I would opt to buy the new LEDs instead of making my own.

Thanks for checking back in. I think that the for the HVAC that utilize the bulb holders the superbrightleds is an good alternative. IIRC, the bulbs you replace were the long holders, right? (just for the record i'm OCD too so i understand why you started looking for different options). mine has a slight hotspot but not as noticeable as yours.

I initially tried the same exact bulbs you purchased for the switches but they created a very dim backlighting and in most cases were too tall to fit. Again, i'm OCD so in those instances, creating your own and aiming the led toward the switch comes in handy.

In any event, i'm glad you figured it out. your HVAC looks good.

 

[Skywlkr]

thanks. Let me know if i can help.

Wish you were closer! I'd love to do this, but I'm not a big electrical guy. Anyone in the CT area done this?

 

[propman07]

Thanks for checking back in. I think that the for the HVAC that utilize the bulb holders the superbrightleds is an good alternative. IIRC, the bulbs you replace were the long holders, right? (just for the record i'm OCD too so i understand why you started looking for different options). mine has a slight hotspot but not as noticeable as yours.

I initially tried the same exact bulbs you purchased for the switches but they created a very dim backlighting and in most cases were too tall to fit. Again, i'm OCD so in those instances, creating your own and aiming the led toward the switch comes in handy.

In any event, i'm glad you figured it out. your HVAC looks good.

Thanks. The bulbs that I listed have the short bulb holder on them. I asked superbriteleds.com if they had any with the longer holder, to match the OEM bulbs, but got no reply. I figured for the $$$, I would take a chance. I'm pleased with the way that they came out, but obviously I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without your initial write up. Thanks again for that.

David

 

[PharmSCRunner]

Much thanks kevin and david! (darkie and propman)

David,

I had the EXACT same issue as you. I did the DIY LEDs and got the same hotspots as you did (the two HVAC controls in your pic). I just ordered the NEO bulbs and will post up pics when I put them in.

From the looks of your pics, the NEO bulbs are a "cooler" white and has a tiny hint of blue than the DIY Leds. Can you confirm that? Thanks!

-Kevin

 

[propman07]

From the looks of your pics, the NEO bulbs are a "cooler" white and has a tiny hint of blue than the DIY Leds. Can you confirm that? Thanks!

-Kevin

Kevin-

I think that the bulbs are a different color white than the ones I got off e-Bay, but I don't notice any blue. I can try to take better pictures, but I'm pretty sure that they are pure white.

I took some new pics with all three of the knobs with the NEO style of bulbs. I'll try to post them later tonight.

David

 

[propman07]

Some parting shots....

Full view, all NEO LEDs

Comparison shots taken of the center and right knob with DIY LEDs and NEO LEDs

Center Knob

Right Knob

YMMV

David

 

[patricksheehy]

Can you change the little orange selector light on the HVAC?

I'm definitely going to be doing this mod in the near future. I assume that once I pull the cluster, I can choose whatever color I want to be anything. Ex: blue blinker lights instead of green.

To the guys who were putting the reverse polarity strips in the screens in the HVAC and even the cluster, did you get the brightness issues worked out? I think it looks tight to have the black background and white lettering, but I would like it to be brighter than your pictures revealed.

 

[darkie3495]

Can you change the little orange selector light on the HVAC?

If you mean the arrows, yes.

I'm definitely going to be doing this mod in the near future. I assume that once I pull the cluster, I can choose whatever color I want to be anything. Ex: blue blinker lights instead of green.

yes. they just individual surface LED's.

 

[00328]

propman07 - I know its probably mentioned somewhere in these 18 pages (haven't gone through all of them), but how did you get the LCD display to come out white? Just putting in white LEDs doesn't make it white.
Also, it looks like it could be a little brighter but maybe thats just the pic.

 

[4Runner8]

whats up guys, i did my little screen that shows ac controls and mpg a while back and its nice and looks good but there are two spots that look dim. does super bright leds . com make brighter ones? also are those 10mm bulbs? i cant remember i think they were neo4?


EDIT: i found the high powered neo's

 

[propman07]

propman07 - I know its probably mentioned somewhere in these 18 pages (haven't gone through all of them), but how did you get the LCD display to come out white? Just putting in white LEDs doesn't make it white.
Also, it looks like it could be a little brighter but maybe thats just the pic.

Hey 00328-

The stock bulbs on my 2009 4Runner had the orange bulb condoms on them. When I replaced them with the white LEDs, the display went to a white background with the black text as shown above in my pics. YMMV

David

 

[patricksheehy]

I love this thread. I am definitely going to try the LED swap. I still want to know if you can change the little orange selector light on the HVAC. Are there different bulbs for that?

Also, I'm still confused on which LEDs to buy since everyone seems to be getting them from different places and different models require different stuff. I have an '07 Sport. Anyone know off hand which ones I should get/how many?

 

[00328]

Hey 00328-
The stock bulbs on my 2009 4Runner had the orange bulb condoms on them. When I replaced them with the white LEDs, the display went to a white background with the black text as shown above in my pics. YMMV
David

Thanks propman07, yeah thats different than my '05, no orange covers on my bulbs.