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

Hey all-

I'm sure its been done before, but I've never seen pictures of an LED swap using white backlighting with white needles. So... I thought I'd post mine. I'm very happy with them. Also changed most of the warning lights in the dash with blue.

Note, since the non-Limited 4Runners don't have needles individually lit, you can't just change the bulb to make the needle whatever color you want. You have to sand off the orange paint and add new paint. Or, in my case, just use a somewhat coarse grit to make an opaque white color.

Also curious what everyone thinks of the trim. I painted all the bright silver plastic trim to an Anthracite Gray using Plasti-Dip, plus Glossifier. Also put in a new Kenwood DNX572BH Head Unit with GPS, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. Love it.

I used Neo4HPs on the HVAC screen, Neo3 standard bulbs on the switches and knobs, and 74 LED Bulb - 3 SMD LED - Miniature Wedge Retrofit bulbs on the shifter, cup holders, and glove box. The 4WD switch takes a Neo4 bulb... but because it uses a diffuser, the lighting won't be uniform. I decided to keep the existing bulb but remove the little rubber colored jacket from the bulb. It's still an amber color, but maybe a little brighter. I chose white for the the following:

  • HVAC screen and knobs
  • Shifter lights
  • Glove box
  • Steering wheel buttons
  • Door window switch
  • Rear window switch
  • Hazard light button
  • Rear defrost, mode, and circulation buttons

I did everything else in blue (cup holders, push buttons to the left of the steering wheel, push buttons down in the center console).


What did you use to change the arrow color on the HVAC dials from orange to blue?
 
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Any help here please? I've replaced all HVAC with neo3 (neo4 to display, those light up, exclude). Regarding the neo3, only the bottom right "circulation" lights up. I thought maybe the others are bad? So I swapped the rear defrost light and circulation, and still only the circulation lights up.

I attempted tightening and loosening to ensure I'm getting proper connection. No change. Only the 1 lights up.

Can it be a fuse if I still get power to neo4 display and the neo3 circulation lights?

I'm lost here, thanks for any help!
 
What bulb do I need for the info display? Figured I'd replace the burnt out one with and the other one with LEDs
Neo4, for the display. I'm confused by all the HP talk, as I've read numerous times you need a mod to get the HP's to work. If they work without a mod, I'd love to know!
 
Neo4, for the display. I'm confused by all the HP talk, as I've read numerous times you need a mod to get the HP's to work. If they work without a mod, I'd love to know!

So I don't need to bypass the dimmer switch with just a regular neo t4 bulb then?
 
Any help here please? I've replaced all HVAC with neo3 (neo4 to display, those light up, exclude). Regarding the neo3, only the bottom right "circulation" lights up. I thought maybe the others are bad? So I swapped the rear defrost light and circulation, and still only the circulation lights up.

I attempted tightening and loosening to ensure I'm getting proper connection. No change. Only the 1 lights up.

Can it be a fuse if I still get power to neo4 display and the neo3 circulation lights?

I'm lost here, thanks for any help!

The NEO3's and NEO4's are polarity sensitive. If they don't light up, turn them 180 degrees and reinstall.
 
What bulb do I need for the info display? Figured I'd replace the burnt out one with and the other one with LEDs
Neo4

Neo4, for the display. I'm confused by all the HP talk, as I've read numerous times you need a mod to get the HP's to work. If they work without a mod, I'd love to know!
Neo4 bulbs will swap right in. the Neo4HP bulbs require modification to work. still waiting for [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION] to help everyone out and post how to do "his" 12v mod...not holding my breath though...

So I don't need to bypass the dimmer switch with just a regular neo t4 bulb then?
nope, just PnP.
 
Here is my write up on how to change the color of your interior lights for the 4th Gen 4Runner.

**Disclaimer: This "how to" is for informational purposes only. I take no responsibility for any damage to your vehicle. If you do not have basic soldering skills, please do not attempt. Serious damage could occur.**

Tools needed to remove cluster/steering wheel controls/HVAC unit:
10mm Socket (used to take apart dash/disconnect negative battery)
Small flat head screwdriver (remove steering wheel panels and unscrew bulb holders)
medium Phillips screwdriver (remove steering wheel control)
T-30 Hex Driver (disconnect Air Bag from steering wheel)

Tools needed or suggested to complete LED swap:
Tools-img1.jpg~original

I know the fork is ghetto but it works...


15 PLCC-2 Surface Mount SMT LEDs (2-RPM, 3-Speedometer, 3-odometer, 2-gear selector backlight, 1-Fuel, 1-temp, 3-steering wheel controls)
20-backlight only/16-indicators(1-rear window, 1*-4x4 switch, 1-Reset/Mode, 2-HVAC screen, 1-defrost, 1-recirculate, 1-fan speed, 1-A/C, 1-Fan location, 1-cup holder, 1-gear selector, 1-DAC, 1-window, 1-Air bag, 1-Passenger indicator, 1 or 2-115V, 1-RSCA off, 1-VSC, 1-Diff lock)

Useful links:
<a href="http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/">Remove lower dash, center console and HVAC unit</a>
<a href="http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225203">Detailed how-to to swap Steering wheel control LED's</a>. I won't go over this since slvrAZtaco's write-up is thorough.

<B>Cluster LED Swap</B>

1) disconnect battery using the 10mm socket
2) Remove lower driver side dash and let it hang (Step 3 - <a href="http://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/">How to Remove the Navigation Head Unit from a 2003 Toyota 4Runner)</a>
- While you have it disconnected, you can pull all the switches located on this panel
3) Grab the trim surrounding the gauge cluster near the bottom and pull towards you. Clips are the only thing holding it in place.
4) There are 3 screws/10mm bolts holding the gauge cluster and 2 bolts connecting the harnesses.
cluster-img1.jpg~original


This is what's behind the cluster
cluster-img2.jpg~original

5) Remove the clear lens and interior black trim. both pieces are held on by plastic tabs.
6) Remove white plastic backing
cluster-img3.jpg~original


7) Take pictures of the needle positions at rest. It

Maybe I am missing it but what bulbs are needed to change the gauge cluster? I did the info screen, rear window switch and HVAC controls. But now I see I need to go all in...

Are the bulbs neo3? There is no picture with the back white plastic removed.

Also are all the switches neo3 bulbs as well?
 
[MENTION=7556]subspd[/MENTION] no bulbs in the cluster, everything is surface mount LEDs, PLCC-2 to be exact. These have to be soldered on once you desolder the OEM LEDs.

this is a limited cluster, so may be different than yours, but it will give you an idea of what it looks like under that cover...
limited%20background_zpssnnhdjao.jpg~original
 
ahhh now I see why people have this done by a pro... IM me your costs and turn around time for white... Thanks!
 
Have looked through many threads on this and still unsure on how well the led swap goes for the info display area. Need to replace lights on hvac and info area. How well does that work?
 
i swapped in neo4 bulbs in my info display and i think it worked great.

the neo3 bulbs in the HVAC background do have some slight hot spots, no denying that, but still look good. i have tried both, and i personally think the hotspots are worse w/ the HP version of the neo3 bulbs.
 
Have looked through many threads on this and still unsure on how well the led swap goes for the info display area. Need to replace lights on hvac and info area. How well does that work?

The wide angle LED neo bulbs fix this, I don't have any hotspots in my display area. Wide angle is where it's at!
 

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