"Upgrading your console interior map lights with 'Philips 194 LED's!'"

[Alaska_4Runner]

Hi team,

I'll be installing these leds today:

They're the: Philips 194 LED


I wanted to repost this 'pictorial essay' which I felt had benefit, but accidently got deleted along with another thread that I took down... hope I can remember what I said in that post... :noidea:

"THE BEFORE"

To begin, insert a small (electronics type) flat-head screwdriver here as shown in the photo below; remember that patience is your very best friend so 'take your time':

SCREWDRIVER INSERTION POINT

I'm deliberately targeting the lens at it's hinged anchors (there are two). Once they let go, nothing else holds it in place!

AND HERE ARE THOSE HINGES; "just for your reference"

The BIGGEST problem with this mod was removing (pulling) the tiny bulbs from their sockets! The bulbs are tightly seated, as they should be, within the grasp of the "push-in clip" socket but to further complicate things, the reflective 'cowl' that surrounds the bulb prevents your fingers from making contact with more than 15% of it's smooth, round surface. The best way that I thought to grab the bulb; w/o disassembling it's bezel, was to use some scotch tape that was handy in the arm rest and made a little safety harness to envelop the bulb:

LIKE SO...

...it pulled right out! And here's an A/B comparison of the bulbs (O.E.M. on the bottom):

Okay, now you'll want to install the led bulb and test it for proper polarity. CAUTION: Don't push the little 'pita' all the way in until you know that the (POS) and (NEG) poles/contacts are in the right position (like I did); these are somewhat difficult (at best) to maneuver!

POLARITY TESTING

If it lights up then you've got it! If it doesn't, don't panic, it's simply in the wrong way... just remove the bulb, spin it 180 deg and push it in again!

"THE AFTER"

..."And all done!"

I think I picked these 194 bulbs up for about $10 bucks on amazon but may be found even cheaper on ebay or the generic online sights! Hope you'll find this little mod helpful!

Rgds!

Do these 194 bulbs work for the center light as well as the map reading lights?

 

[barryhiram]

Center light is different, it takes a 3175 Festoon - 30mm bulb

 

[rigtec]

Do these 194 bulbs work for the center light as well as the map reading lights?

Hi AK,

No, there's another led up there; I just was never interested enough (i.e. "Too Lasy") to investigate it! lol

cheers

 

[rigtec]

"Center light is different, it takes a 3175 Festoon - 30mm bulb"

Hey Barry,

being that the tiny lamp's beam is barely visible (likely due to the small orifice in front of it), do you think it would it be worth it to replace the bulb with something brighter or would that create a hazardous glare condition when driving at night? Tell you why I asked... when I first installed the two subwoofer power amp's ON/OFF switches on the center console, the 'Bright Green' LED glare was so bad that I 'Literally' couldn't see through the windshield at night; truck looked like a giant aquarium on four wheels.



...the photo above is 'BEFORE' I installed resistors in the switch's 'Etched face' illumination circuit. The one below is 'AFTER' I implemented a 'line resistor' (one for each) to diminish the switch's face led output by at least 50% and... 'Mission Accomplished'; ...I couldn't find the one with both of the switches turned on at the same time. So my concern is that this light remains on at all times, so making it a more 'functional' accessory, may end up creating a new obstacle for us to write about lol!

Anyway because of the upper console's location, I would be cautious about further compromising the driver's (already rich in blind-spot) vantage point with additional 'driver viewing' obstruction. ...just an after thought,

'Best to you'!

 

[tigger]

I think they are referring to the rear seat light as opposed to the gear shift/console illumination light. (but I could be wrong on that)

But the festoon light bulb is for the rear seat/center light.

 

[barryhiram]

I think they are referring to the rear seat light as opposed to the gear shift/console illumination light. (but I could be wrong on that)

But the festoon light bulb is for the rear seat/center light.

Yep, I was referring to the center light over second row seats [MENTION=120209]tigger[/MENTION]. May have misunderstood [MENTION=133328]Alaska_4Runner[/MENTION] question, if so, sorry for the confusion.

Btw, rear hatch lights use the same festoon bulb, OR you could use two circuit board LED lights 1" x 1" (per light housing) for a total of 800 Lm of light output WHITE MINI SQUARE UNIVERSAL HIGH POWER LED CIRCUIT BOARD (BLACK PLUG) - Boards - Circuit Boards - Shop Products.

Hey Barry,

being that the tiny lamp's beam is barely visible (likely due to the small orifice in front of it), do you think it would it be worth it to replace the bulb with something brighter or would that create a hazardous glare condition when driving at night?

Anyway because of the upper console's location, I would be cautious about further compromising the driver's (already rich in blind-spot) vantage point with additional 'driver viewing' obstruction. ...just an after thought,

Totally agree with you Greg, would not recommend increase light output of "tiny lamp" for the vary reason you pointed out. If you need more light, reach up and turn on those wicked bright map lights!

 

[RichN]

These are the lights I put in my 2007, but I think they are the same for 5th generations.

Map Lights: I got the Natural White. Work great. Much brighter than stock.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...b-5-led-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/199/874/

Glove Box Light: Can't compare to stock since mine was not working, but it gives plenty of light.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...md-led-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/228/1067/

Dome Lights: The first one in natural white is about the same as stock. The second one in cool white is much brighter, and completely lights up the cargo area.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/festoon/de3175-led-bulb-4-led-festoon-30mm-car/231/1084/
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ed-bulb-4-smd-led-festoon-30mm-car/2107/4843/

 

[rigtec]

Yep, I was referring to the center light over second row seats [MENTION=120209]tigger[/MENTION]. May have misunderstood [MENTION=133328]Alaska_4Runner[/MENTION] question, if so, sorry for the confusion.

Hi Barry,

When [MENTION=133328]Alaska_4Runner[/MENTION] asked the question: "...Do these 194 bulbs work for the center light as well as the map reading lights?...," I assumed he was referring to the tiny little 'SPOT' led between the 'Map-lights', as was my reply...

Do these 194 bulbs work for the center light as well as the map reading lights?

Hi AK,

No, there's another led up there; I just was never interested enough (i.e. "Too Lasy") to investigate it! lol

cheers

...Just a small miscommunication between so many questions and answers being exchanged here, "no biggy!"

Thanks for each one of your replies; your opinion is "Highly Valued" around here! Rgds

Greg

 

[barryhiram]

Hi Barry,

When [MENTION=133328]Alaska_4Runner[/MENTION] asked the question: "...Do these 194 bulbs work for the center light as well as the map reading lights?...," I assumed he was referring to the tiny little 'SPOT' led between the 'Map-lights', as was my reply...

...Just a small miscommunication between so many questions and answers being exchanged here, "no biggy!"

Thanks for each one of your replies; your opinion is "Highly Valued" around here! Rgds

Hey Greg,

"no biggy" buddy, it's all good! And thanks for the complement!

I feel the same way, thank you for each one of your replies; your opinion is "Highly Valued" around here Greg!

Ok, love fest over, what the hell were you asking [MENTION=133328]Alaska_4Runner[/MENTION]???????? :lol:

 

[77Bronc]

Ok I just LED'ed out...I went to Pep Boys and bought out their last 194s and also purchased three of the Phillips 30mm Festoon bulbs. One for the dome, two for the rear tail gate. They looked long in the store, but when put side by side to the dome light, the same length, just a larger diameter. According to the Internet, the 30mm is a replacement for the 3022, but I will say getting it in the dome light socket took some doing.


This is what I have concluded, the 194s give out a lot of light, but the Festoons not so much. It is still daylight here, I will see in about three hours.

I have one more set of 194s being shipped in from a store in New Orleans, these will go into the license plate light sockets. I still need four more for the doors.

I know this approach is expensive as compared to the $20 sets on the Internet, but I feel the Phillips are a good quality, 12 year warranty.

77

 

[rigtec]

'...Ok, love fest over, what the hell were you asking [MENTION=133328]Alaska_4Runner[/MENTION]???????? :lol:"

...ahhhh shucks, I knew it was too good to be true... hahaha!

Thanks again Bro!!

 

[oljedi11950]

Did it today & treated my ol blind ass to back up ones also ! Much grass [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] :rockon::hail:

 

[rigtec]

Did it today & treated my ol blind ass to back up ones also ! Much grass [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] :rockon::hail:

Hi Mike,

So glad to hear that the investment worked out fine... 'Best to you'!

 

[oljedi11950]

Yes sir appreciate the photo help to Greg ! I always like little stuff that
has a big impact on my seeing shite that never used to be a problem with seeing !!

 

[Vwright14]

Ok and one would want the canbus 194's correct?

 

[rigtec]

Ok and one would want the canbus 194's correct?

...Not too sure if I understood your question Vw, can you elaborate just to clarify?

Cheers

 

[Gulfstreamblue]

Ok and one would want the canbus 194's correct?

Canbus is not needed for the interior lights on our 4runners. It's mostly used for European cars that throw a bulb out error message when a non canbus light is installed.

 

[marlinsfan]

Not sure if the upload of the pictures worked. But I put in the Philips 194s last night and the difference is huge. I attached a before picture, an after picture, as well as one with the old and new side by side.

I also bought the reverse light bulbs, but it's too darn cold out to put them in just yet.

I read thru the thread and didn't find it. What bulbs go in the 4 doors and tailgate? What about the dome lights in the 2nd row and the trunk?

thanks

 

[ua330]

Wow, I hope those aren't too bright.

 

[Vwright14]

Canbus is not needed for the interior lights on our 4runners. It's mostly used for European cars that throw a bulb out error message when a non canbus light is installed.

Ok cool thanks brother.

here are the ones i was looking at, only because a buddy swears by them....

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...d-led-tower-miniature-wedge-retrofit-car/206/