emelianenkov
New member
Fuel and engine temp will be backwards. Holes don't light up. Faceplate isn't designed for the specific application of light distribution so it'll look like shit. It's a shame, the Tacoma carbon fiber look is hella sexy
DIY: Interior LED swap (cluster, HVAC, switches, window, *steering wheel)
- Thread starter darkie3495
- Start date
Fuel and engine temp will be backwards. Holes don't light up. Faceplate isn't designed for the specific application of light distribution so it'll look like shit. It's a shame, the Tacoma carbon fiber look is hella sexy
Could use a little help here
OK, trying to put together an order to tackle this project and could use a little assistance.
For the cluster, I need PLCC-2. That seems pretty straightforward.
Where I am a little confused is with regard to the NEO-x LEDs. It looks like a mix of NEO3 and NEO4 are needed for the HVAC controls. First, is the NEO designation the style of base? I think that's correct, but not sure. Second - is the number after the NEO the size in mm? Finally - I think I can order just the bulbs and reuse the existing base (and add a resistor)?
I thought I had this figured out and started to put together an order from LightHouseLEDs. However, I ran into a snag - they don't seem to have any 4mm LEDs. I guess it's possible they don't carry them, but that seemed odd to me - which lead me to question my entire understanding of what the various letters/numbers actually mean.
I'm not really too keen on ordering from different suppliers as I don't want to risk differences in color temperature/intensity of LEDs. Thus I suspect I need to look for a different supplier that stocks all the sizes I need. I guess the other option would be to use a 3mm bulb in a NEO4 base? Or would this be too dim or just not fit?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. In addition to my questions above, if someone has a full parts list along with links to a reputable supplier, that would be incredible.
Thanks.
OK, trying to put together an order to tackle this project and could use a little assistance.
For the cluster, I need PLCC-2. That seems pretty straightforward.
Where I am a little confused is with regard to the NEO-x LEDs. It looks like a mix of NEO3 and NEO4 are needed for the HVAC controls. First, is the NEO designation the style of base? I think that's correct, but not sure. Second - is the number after the NEO the size in mm? Finally - I think I can order just the bulbs and reuse the existing base (and add a resistor)?
I thought I had this figured out and started to put together an order from LightHouseLEDs. However, I ran into a snag - they don't seem to have any 4mm LEDs. I guess it's possible they don't carry them, but that seemed odd to me - which lead me to question my entire understanding of what the various letters/numbers actually mean.
I'm not really too keen on ordering from different suppliers as I don't want to risk differences in color temperature/intensity of LEDs. Thus I suspect I need to look for a different supplier that stocks all the sizes I need. I guess the other option would be to use a 3mm bulb in a NEO4 base? Or would this be too dim or just not fit?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. In addition to my questions above, if someone has a full parts list along with links to a reputable supplier, that would be incredible.
Thanks.
Bad form replying to my own post but I think I get this now.
For anyone else that may be confused, the Neo-x lamps are LEDs with an integrated resistor that replace the incandescent twist in bulbs for the CC backlights. Still not sure on the size of LED question but I don't really care - will go with the NEOs rather than mess around with resistors and bare bulbs.
Now I'm on a hunt for a picture of a Limited cluster from the back side. I've found a couple from a sport but the LED number and placement is different. I want to count them up and also figure out what colors I want for each location. If anyone can point me to one that would be great - in the meantime I will continue searching.....
For anyone else that may be confused, the Neo-x lamps are LEDs with an integrated resistor that replace the incandescent twist in bulbs for the CC backlights. Still not sure on the size of LED question but I don't really care - will go with the NEOs rather than mess around with resistors and bare bulbs.
Now I'm on a hunt for a picture of a Limited cluster from the back side. I've found a couple from a sport but the LED number and placement is different. I want to count them up and also figure out what colors I want for each location. If anyone can point me to one that would be great - in the meantime I will continue searching.....
Cisco Kid
Member
If you are referring to the gauge cluster, here are a few pictures of the board in my Limited.
If you want, I can add some labeling to these pictures to give you a better idea of what each led is for.
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Yes, that is exactly what I was after - thanks.
Thanks for the offer, but I think I have it pretty well figured out. What I really needed to see was the placement and quantity of the backlight LEDs so I could figure out how many I needed to order.
philskeeter
New member
I know for $200 you change out the gauge cluster and the HVAC controls, but do you also change out the radio controls? are they even able to be swapped? Last questions: If you do the led swap for me, do you order the leds in the colors I'm wanting or do I have to get them and send them with the package?
emelianenkov
New member
I can do the steering wheel controls as well
And yes I order my LEDs from a trusted and reliable supplier so I can eliminate any possibility of burnt out LEDs... Ask [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] about my process of eliminating bad Chinese LEDs with his swap... He had to send his back like 2 times because the cheap eBay LEDs kept failing. I get American made LEDs now. More expensive, yes, but much less likely to fail
philskeeter
New member
I can do the steering wheel controls as well
And yes I order my LEDs from a trusted and reliable supplier so I can eliminate any possibility of burnt out LEDs... Ask [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] about my process of eliminating bad Chinese LEDs with his swap... He had to send his back like 2 times because the cheap eBay LEDs kept failing. I get American made LEDs now. More expensive, yes, but much less likely to fail
I actually would prefer for you to order them because I would most likely order the wrong ones or something to waste more time. and by the radio controls I meant can you replace all of the orange lights in the head unit(presets,tuning, etc...) Sorry for the confusion.
emelianenkov
New member
I said that I supply the LEDs in the price lol
And I can do the headunit but that's a whole different ball game for price. PM me and we can discuss this in more detail [MENTION=107473]philskeeter[/MENTION]
philskeeter
New member
I know I was just saying that that's what I wanted anyways so it worked out perfectly but I guess it didn't come out right and ok I'll pm you
emelianenkov
New member
Those are so much fun :ybrick:
I use pretty much JUST those tiny LEDs for my customers that own Fords
CookieRoe
Senior Member
I can do the steering wheel controls as well
And yes I order my LEDs from a trusted and reliable supplier so I can eliminate any possibility of burnt out LEDs... Ask [MENTION=50507]CookieRoe[/MENTION] about my process of eliminating bad Chinese LEDs with his swap... He had to send his back like 2 times because the cheap eBay LEDs kept failing. I get American made LEDs now. More expensive, yes, but much less likely to fail
How long ago was that? About 2 years now? Been awhile but LEDs in cluster and HVAC are still going strong!
One shouldn't doubt Alex (@emelianenkov) about LEDs and the swap.
emelianenkov
New member
How long ago was that? About 2 years now? Been awhile but LEDs in cluster and HVAC are still going strong!
One shouldn't doubt Alex (@emelianenkov) about LEDs and the swap.
Thanks Ed! Yeah I'm glad we finally worked the gremlins out of your swap. That was when I first started. I've learned lots in the last 2 years
007Tacoma
New member
I wear my sunglasses at night...
...so in your opinion, which LED Color combination is the best for seeing the HVAC and Gauge Cluster during the day?
I am not quite ready to pull the trigger on this process, but I am always annoyed when I have to take my sunglasses off and tilt my head to the side to see what the temp is at.
...so in your opinion, which LED Color combination is the best for seeing the HVAC and Gauge Cluster during the day?
I am not quite ready to pull the trigger on this process, but I am always annoyed when I have to take my sunglasses off and tilt my head to the side to see what the temp is at.
emelianenkov
New member
If you use white or blue, those are the easiest to see. I've done green and white too, which made seeing the display easier for both day and night driving.
Red is good for night time visibility but it gets washed out easily with sunlight
97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
My blue LED lights are super easy to see any time of day
Cisco Kid
Member
Here is my factory head unit after swapping out the orange leds for white and blue.
For anyone that is wanting to attempt this, you will need a lot of patience and a small tip for your soldering iron as the leds are very small. They are under 1/4 the size of the PLCC leds in the gauge cluster. Here is a picture for size reference. These are 0603 surface mount.
For anyone that is wanting to attempt this, you will need a lot of patience and a small tip for your soldering iron as the leds are very small. They are under 1/4 the size of the PLCC leds in the gauge cluster. Here is a picture for size reference. These are 0603 surface mount.
007Tacoma
New member
Thanks! I wouldn't mind doing the white and blue combo. I have to convince the wife that she no longer likes the amber/orange lights, but I think the visibility aspect is key to that.
Do you remember what frequency the blue ones were?
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