advice on getting into the dash Options

[Zimluura]

Hi,

I just bought a 99 celica gt liftback. I'm looking to do some interior modifications to make the car my own.
My first project is to replace all the lights in the guages with blue LEDs.

I bought some of these
http://autolumination.com/194.htm
(Opaque Focused Lenses) and was planning on following Coomer's howto.

but i don't have a shop manual and really don't want to break anything (new car syndrome maybe). don't have very much experience working on cars. but i've built my last 3 computers and soldered blue leds into all the consumer electronics i own. and this looks to be a solderless operation.

anyways, what do you guys think i should do?
jump right in with the howto and the leds? buy the $185 worth of toyota shop manuals (or maybe just the $50 electrical manual)? buy a 3rd party shop manual (which would you recomend?)?

eventually i want to do the climate constrol and the clock, and all the other lights too.

just would like some advice (won't get pissed at any advisor if i break something)

thanks
Ny

[forkee]

its super easy. just do it yourself. if you need more reference pics (bolt locations, etc.), that's what im good at, lol.

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/232926/4

[Coomer]

I'd avise not using LEDs. The light won't disperse correctly and your lighting will be bright in areas and dim in others.

[Zimluura]

thanks for the encouragement and pictures Forkee.

and thanks for the tip Coomer. i really like leds, so i'll see what i end up with. i was hoping the opaque leds would disperse light a little more evenly than the clear ones. and if not good enough, i was going to try those 5 led matrix bulbs, or the wide angle lenses (thinking now that these would've been a better bet) from the same page.

if i get something that looks good i'll borrow/buy a camera and take some pics.

This post has been edited by Zimluura: Feb 16, 2005 - 1:19 AM

[Silvan]

I have tried to do the same with leds. I really liked the light but as coomer says the light won't disperse correct. I've tried to solve that with grinding the top of the led and instead of one led I used two on each point.


Here is what I've created

[Zimluura]

ok, done!

but no photos. you guys are totally right. speed and tach are ok, but the fuel and temp on the far right are almost totally dark.

but now i feel totally cool about the operation. so i think i'll try some of those 5led matrix bulbs. and also get some blue incandescent bulbs (just in case).

[Zimluura]

just got some of the 5LED matrix bulbs installed. 7usd a pop, but they seem to get the light dispersed very nicely, and with good brightness and color. picture and webstore link in my profile.

also, i think the reason my fuel & temp were dark before had to do with me botching polarity on one of the leds (not 100% sure on that).

thanks again everyone, next up climate control.

[94GT]

I wouldn't use the blue incandescents. I tried them and it was very dim and blurry. Also, it was difficult to distinguish the reds (red line was sooo dim) I ended up switching back to the stock green. Icy Hots look very bright. Worth trying.

[juBz86]

that ultra bright!! i'm thinking of gettin a couple of those leds!!