LED Dash lights FAQs

[Tucson4runner]

Subscribed. Once I get the mechanical stuff done and she proves her mettle for a year or so, I'll upgrade all of the interior lights to LEDs. Kind of want to keep the ol' green look instead of switching over, guess we'll see what happens.

Append: Wanted to ask after the shift indicator lights under the speedo as well: The "D" is super-dim and the others are brighter. Same LEDs? Also - map lights? Wait, what? Don't think I have those on my 2002 LTD.

I also would like to know the bulb sizes for the transmission lights in the dash. Ready to pull the trigger but wanted to add these as well.

 

[MStudt]

I also would like to know the bulb sizes for the transmission lights in the dash. Ready to pull the trigger but wanted to add these as well.

Those are #74 bulbs. All the bulbs in the gluster are #74 with the exception of the back lighting bulbs.

 

[Tucson4runner]

Those are #74 bulbs. All the bulbs in the gluster are #74 with the exception of the back lighting bulbs.

Thanks! While I have you here it's asking if I want to replace the base socket. Is this nesessary?

 

[MStudt]

Thanks! While I have you here it's asking if I want to replace the base socket. Is this nesessary?

You don't need to replace the bases on them.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Great thread!

I'll add it to the Tutorials thread.

Good. Thanks for taking the time to put this together [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] I used your FAQ's exclusively this weekend for my entire LED upgrade. I ordered new festoon bulbs from SuperBrightLED's instead of the festoon socket. It's still plenty bright with just 10 SMD. Here's a link if anyone's interested.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...d-bulb-10-smd-led-festoon-31mm-car/2261/5144/

I also had to file down the PCB a tiny bit for the Climate control bulbs to fit.

 

[MStudt]

Good. Thanks for taking the time to put this together [MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] I used your FAQ's exclusively this weekend for my entire LED upgrade. I ordered new festoon bulbs from SuperBrightLED's instead of the festoon socket. It's still plenty bright with just 10 SMD. Here's a link if anyone's interested.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...d-bulb-10-smd-led-festoon-31mm-car/2261/5144/

I also had to file down the PCB a tiny bit for the Climate control bulbs to fit.

Thanks for the input on the new bulbs. I may have to give those a try.

 

[Twan]

Didn't see any images here, so here is a picture of my dash lit up with white LED's. Matches well with the blue-white scheme of the Pioneer.

How on earth did you get your defrost/ECT button to light up so brightly? Due to the shape of the LED base and the indirect way it is lit, mine is super dim compared to the rear window switch using the same bulb. I'd also like to replace my climate control faceplate due to yellowing. That might distract from the hot spots that I got even with the more expensive 3 LED bulbs I got.

 

[Twan]

[MENTION=98153]MStudt[/MENTION] do you know of any brighter options for the 99? Got mine from superbrightleds.com, and I might as well have left the original bulbs on there.

Instrument Panel Gauge Dashboard Colored Led Bulbs Lights Lamps

People seem to be having really good luck with the "3x 5630 Samsung" bulb. I have a set I hope to install this week some time, but here are a couple other people's results:

 

[Jayjayb96]

Mike, thanks for taking the time to do a writeup. Ive been wanting to do this for the longest time so i think this month will definitely be it!

 

[Tucson4runner]

Are the transmission lights colored or is the film in front of them colored? In other words could I change the light color of them?

 

[MStudt]

Are the transmission lights colored or is the film in front of them colored? In other words could I change the light color of them?

I haven't replaced those, but they most likely have a green film over the bulb itself.

Mike

 

[Tucson4runner]

I haven't replaced those, but they most likely have a green film over the bulb itself.

Mike

Thanks mstudt,

I have a slightly more difficult question for you. The 4 wheel drive lights on my instrument panel, is there a wire either near the panel or near the push button (limited model) that I could splice into to make an additional light turn on with it?

 

[Kevlar]

ordered the bulbs yesterday, so i'll be taking the plunge when they come in.

 

[MStudt]

Thanks mstudt,

I have a slightly more difficult question for you. The 4 wheel drive lights on my instrument panel, is there a wire either near the panel or near the push button (limited model) that I could splice into to make an additional light turn on with it?

A light for what? There's a light near the push button for the shifter light. You can tap into the illumination wire on an aftermarket radio. Or even tap into the headlight stalk. The other place would be the lights on the center counsel for the rear window, rear defrost, and the other button that is alluding me right now.

 

[kurticus91]

Nice write up! Thank you. I'll be replacing a climate control bulb soon

 

[Tucson4runner]

A light for what? There's a light near the push button for the shifter light. You can tap into the illumination wire on an aftermarket radio. Or even tap into the headlight stalk. The other place would be the lights on the center counsel for the rear window, rear defrost, and the other button that is alluding me right now.

I'm connecting a tarcel inclinometer on my dash and instead of having the 4wd light come on with the rest of my dash lights I thought it would be cool to only have it come on with my current 4wd light. Pulled the dash out but didn't see any wires near the 4wd light so I'm going to check near the switch but I don't think that's going to work. I think I'd have to tap in somewhere after the 4wd computer.

 

[MStudt]

I'm connecting a tarcel inclinometer on my dash and instead of having the 4wd light come on with the rest of my dash lights I thought it would be cool to only have it come on with my current 4wd light. Pulled the dash out but didn't see any wires near the 4wd light so I'm going to check near the switch but I don't think that's going to work. I think I'd have to tap in somewhere after the 4wd computer.

You can trace the ribbon on the gauge cluster to the terminal plug. Then match the plugs together to see which wires are tied into it.

 

[Tucson4runner]

Ok. I'll plug either the blue or the black one in and see which one belongs to the 4wd then just test for power and tie into that wire?

 

[MStudt]

Ok. I'll plug either the blue or the black one in and see which one belongs to the 4wd then just test for power and tie into that wire?

Yep, and ground the other.

 

[TheDurk]

I'm connecting a tarcel inclinometer on my dash and instead of having the 4wd light come on with the rest of my dash lights I thought it would be cool to only have it come on with my current 4wd light. Pulled the dash out but didn't see any wires near the 4wd light so I'm going to check near the switch but I don't think that's going to work. I think I'd have to tap in somewhere after the 4wd computer.

The trigger for the 4wd ligh is a green wire with black stripe from the 4wd computer to the cluster at Pin 6 of Plug C29. Plug C29 is a one-row brown plug with 13 pins

Note that the green black wire is a GROUND trigger. You will have to use a relay to power the inclinometer or use the trigger as its ground and power it elsewhere, if its design permits.

You can also get a ground trigger from the PINK wire between the 2-4 select switch and the 4wd ECU. That's at Pin 4 of the F7 plug on the 4wd ECU. F7 is a two row 26-pin white plug.