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

[cdoyle]

Redid my HVAC yesterday, the LED I used before were too narrow and had some dim spots. So I bought some wider angle white LEDs, and it looks much better.

While I was in there, I also changed the color of the little arrows on the controls. I used blue for most of them, and a red on the highest fan speed.

Also, not sure if it was mentioned or not in this thread. You know how the 'off' on the fan speed doesn't light up? Well on the circuit board, there is actually a spot for an LED, Toyota just doesn't use it. So I soldered one in, and it works! So when the fan is off, that little arrow lights up blue now.

I also changed the color of all the buttons in the console. They all light up white now, and the butt heaters when on have a blue light instead of that orange indicator. Don't have a pic of these yet.

 

[4Runner8]

sweet^^ i guess im to ****ing stupid to get mine to work so i bought a whole new HVAC unit from ebay to replace mine.

 

[cdoyle]

sweet^^ i guess im to ****ing stupid to get mine to work so i bought a whole new HVAC unit from ebay to replace mine.

What doesn't work? the LEDs?

Make sure you have them in the right way, if they don't' work turn them around.

 

[4Runner8]

i have tried so many different things, there are a few i cant even get out anymore, plus i messed up the display screen and it fades in and out. thats why i bought a new one that i will leave alone.

 

[shuly]

i have tried so many different things, there are a few i cant even get out anymore, plus i messed up the display screen and it fades in and out. thats why i bought a new one that i will leave alone.

Don't beat yourself up over this one...<O</O
<O</O

Just like welding ... soldering is an art too!!! I haven't done this mod (mostly because I don't care that much about the color) but I have done a lot of soldering. My grandfather taught me when I was younger. It wasn't until about 10-11 years ago I really started trying again. I lost count of the boards I fried ... but eventually you get better. Anyone can do it but there are some folks out there that are awesome at it!
Though I do know it sure as heck isn't me :lol:

 

[4Runner8]

Don't beat yourself up over this one...<O</O
<O</O

Just like welding ... soldering is an art too!!! I haven't done this mod (mostly because I don't care that much about the color) but I have done a lot of soldering. My grandfather taught me when I was younger. It wasn't until about 10-11 years ago I really started trying again. I lost count of the boards I fried ... but eventually you get better. Anyone can do it but there are some folks out there that are awesome at it!
Though I do know it sure as heck isn't me :lol:

haha yea definitely isnt for me, ill leave em alone for now:happens:

 

[cdoyle]

Here is a pic of the fan in the 'Off' function.

It actually worked

I have more pics of everything I converted so far located here.

 

[rghrdr18]

Anyone interested in helping out?

I bought the hvac replacement bulbs from Superbrightleds and they worked pretty well. I have worked in the car audio industry in the past but I still don't feel comfortable doing the dash surface mount led's nor the pimp swap of the selector leds. I live in Snohomish, WA is anyone interested in helping another brother out? I'll spring for the beer :cheers:

Anyways, eventhough white is probably the worst color to have on a dash, IMHO the orange just brings down the character of the 4Runner, it just reminds me of an outdated car interior. My wife's Mercedes C300 has the dash lit up in white and I love the look!

 

[SuddenAttk]

I so want to do this. specially the clusters
but i am too afraid that i am gonna ruin it with my lack of skills

 

[darkie3495]

Here is a pic of the fan in the 'Off' function.
It actually worked

Great job!! Good info to share with the group. I've been meaning to switch out my arrows too but I've had other projects taking priority.

I live in Snohomish, WA is anyone interested in helping another brother out? I'll spring for the beer :cheers:

My wife's Mercedes C300 has the dash lit up in white and I love the look!

Hey, PM me. I might be able to help out late Nov or early Dec. my friend's mercedes actually inspired me to do it.

I so want to do this. specially the clusters
but i am too afraid that i am gonna ruin it with my lack of skills

Like shuly said, it just takes practice. I took apart some old board from a busted computer and started practicing. I've been doing electrical work on cars for years now and I solder all my connections but working with PCB boards still took a little bit of practice.

 

[Whitebeauty]

Well if you live in Salt Lake City, i can do it during my snowboard trip in feb

Oh yeah you r welcome to come to S.florida n do mine....lol

 

[Trevloc]

has anyone used these? i am seeing that someone said they dont fit

NeoWedge series LED Lamp Specifications

im looking at the neo 5 btw.

my main question is, if it doesnt fit, can i just take the bulb out of that one and put it in mine? is the resistor built into the bulb? anyone know?

 

[darkie3495]

Oh yeah you r welcome to come to S.florida n do mine....lol

Ha...i'll let you know the next time i'm in FL.

has anyone used these? i am seeing that someone said they dont fit

NeoWedge series LED Lamp Specifications

im looking at the neo 5 btw.

my main question is, if it doesnt fit, can i just take the bulb out of that one and put it in mine? is the resistor built into the bulb? anyone know?

Are you asking if the bulb holder doesn't fit? if so, you can't take the LED out of the bulb holder because it's glued in there. The resistor is built into the base of the LED (hidden by the bulb holder.

The Neo5 might be too big for the bulb holders. Check out Propman07's post #167 on page #11 about using superbrightleds.com Neo4's and Neo3's. Direct link

 

[LSU]

Is there anyone down in Tennessee that does this?

 

[hollyjb]

It seems that the Cluster LED instructions end a little abruptly. Is there a link to the remaining instructions for installing the cluster lights?

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

 

[darkie3495]

It seems that the Cluster LED instructions end a little abruptly. Is there a link to the remaining instructions for installing the cluster lights?

Yes. it starts back up on Page 2, Post #51.

When the site moved over to a new server, it cut the posts in half.

 

[czastrow]

how long did it take?

 

[darkie3495]

how long did it take?

The first time it took about 8 hours on a sat. This included disassembly of the parts, soldering and reassembly. As well as some trial and error testing with the switches.

Depending on how confident you are with soldering, you can crank this out in about 5 hours beginning to end.

 

[HokieRunner]

how long did it take?

I'll second the 8 hours as darkie stated. Once the cluster is done (takes 2-3 hours w/ disassembly/assembly) and you get the hang of the other bulb holders it goes smoothly.

 

[Djrashonal]

Depending on how confident you are with soldering, you can crank this out in about 5 hours beginning to end.

Looks great man! I have ZERO soldering abilities, but I do have money, beer, and food, which hopefully make up for the lack abilities

(The Money beer and food is for you when you come swap mine for white LEDs) :hello: