DIY LED Dash Swap: Gauge Cluster, AC, and Compass - Page 12

TRD BLACK · 12-22-2008, 01:41 PM

Sweet!

Nice job!!! Thanks for posting the pictures!

I too have a TRD (hence the screen name) and was really considering red. My concern was that I might not be able to change everything over, and it seems the clock, switches, and steering wheel controls are an issue. Because of that I was just thinking of switching the guage to amber so it would all match. I'm torn...

TinCan · 12-24-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Tanos62 previously said:

Ok, I finished this morning (I thought). One thing to be careful of is when you put the needles back on, don't put them on too tight. It doesn't take much. And it may not seem too tight, but then your speedo doesn't register. But It was a 15 minute fix.

Here are a few pics. My camera doesn't do it justice. And my stereo screen gets washed out. I think I can adjust the intensity on the stereo screen so it's not so bright. But the red dash is really easy on the eyes when you drive. I thought about all white, and that should look good too, but it wouldn't help your night vision. That's the of the 2 reasons I went with red. The other reason is I have a black TRD, and red just seems to fit better with the TRD badges.

Also, after getting everything in red, the amber switches don't bother me as much anymore. I still think I may try changing them down the road. The clock does bother me somewhat, and with the clock on my stereo being so much bigger, I could even do without the stock clock.

Also, the inclometer (that can't be spelled right) doesn't show in the picture, but it does in person, but it could be brighter.

All in all, a fun mod. Thanks to TinCan. I never would have even considered doing this without his writeup.

Great job!!...

**BSea** · 01-10-2009, 06:40 PM

Compass/Inclinometer/Temp Guage LED SWAP TAKE II

I wasn't real happy with the intensity of the Inclinometer & Compass after I installed the red LEDs. So I found some higher intensity LEDs & installed the higher intensity ones. I din't change out the temp guage LEDs since I was happy with how it looked.

Here's a before & after. Notice in the before pic you can't even see the inclinometer. It wasn't that bad, but it was very dim, and the compass was weak also. Even though the pictures don't really give a true representation, the degree of brightness between the 2 very representative of the change.

Now I'm debating redoing the dash. But not tonight.

BEFORE:

After

chrisngrod · 01-10-2009, 06:58 PM

If anyone can print onto a transparent sheet you can make your own style speedometer, tachometer, etc.

**BSea** · 01-13-2009, 02:02 PM

Does anyone have a few spare blue or green LEDs? I'd be glad to trade you some red ones, or just pay for them. I asked TinCan, but he's out of those colors right now.

TinCan · 01-14-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

BSea previously said:

Does anyone have a few spare blue or green LEDs? I'd be glad to trade you some red ones, or just pay for them. I asked TinCan, but he's out of those colors right now.

I just found 3 blue ones!!!

**BSea** · 01-14-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

TinCan previously said:

I just found 3 blue ones!!!

PM Sent

Mister Ed · 10-12-2009, 10:37 PM

ok never soldered these kind of LEDs before. are the hard to? planning on doing this mod real soon.

VegasDlr · 10-12-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Mister Ed previously said:

ok never soldered these kind of LEDs before. are the hard to? planning on doing this mod real soon.

The gauge cluster wasn't to difficult. Be careful desoldering the leds on the ac panel and the compass. The pads are quite fragile and it is easy to pull them off of the board. Also make sure you don't put the needles on too tight or they will drag and stick.

**BSea** · 10-12-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

VegasDlr;1509023[QUOTE=Mister Ed previously said:

ok never soldered these kind of LEDs before. are the hard to? planning on doing this mod real soon.

]The gauge cluster wasn't to difficult. Be careful desoldering the leds on the ac panel and the compass. The pads are quite fragile and it is easy to pull them off of the board. Also make sure you don't put the needles on too tight or they will drag and stick.[/quote]

X2.

If you have any hesitation, just do what I did on post #105 of this thread. Practice makes perfect. This is still one of my favorite mods.