Blue Bulbs

[BlueRanger]

So I was driving im my frinds jetta (girl driver) and i noteced the blue backlit bubls for all the accesories. It looked really cool and clean. So, any of you try to replace those stupid white looking bulbs with some blue or red ones, so your window button is blue, and all your controlls? I just think it would look really cool. Opinions?

[gedenke]

I did mine. At first I tried those cheap blue bulbs you can buy at the auto parts store...yuk! (they turned a dull purple after a week) Then I went with LED through the whole dash and A/C panel. Looks pretty good, but not quite as bright as the VWs. Let me know if you want to know details.

[anmrivera]

I'd like the details. I want to make my dash all blue!

[warrior]

If you get time, please do give details on this as it sounds (I haven't seen the VW's) like it would look cool. Thans

[BlueRanger]

I PM'd him a while ago, here was his response:


No prob, here goes...I searched around and finally found some that just plug in (I had tried to wire some in with resistors, but that was a pain and the plug-in type are much easier). Here's the link:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-...cgi?product=CAR

For a Tundra dash & a/c panel you'll need:
-7 of the #194 (single LED, not the four or six LED)
-3 of the #74
(if you also want to do the ignition ring, ash tray, and cig lighter, you'll need 3 more of the #74)

I think the wedge type should work in the ingition, ash tray, and lighter, but I'm not sure (mine are soldered in)

Now, here's where it gets a little funky, but it works. LEDs generally emit the light out the end of the bulb (like a flashlight) so you may get bright spots on your dash. But, no worries, I found a simple fix that works pretty good. Just glue (preferably clear glue) a small circle of alum. foil (shiny side towards the bulb) about the size of a pencil eraser to the tip of the bulb. This will redirect the light out to the sides, thus eliminating the bright spot.

As for the radio, there's about 50 or so tiny LEDs soldered in there, but unless you're REALLY good at soldering computer boards, I wouldn't try it (I haven't) Although, there have been a few TS members that pulled it off. Networkguy was one of them but I'm not sure he's still a member.

Hope I didn't confuse you too much...good luck!

-p.s. I'll get some pics of my dash and post them soon!

[TMS2U]

The #74 bulbs are REALLY hard to find. If you locate a source for these (LED style) please be sure to post it.

Check out my pics for my blue center console and blue/red OEM head unit

[gedenke]

Like BlueRanger said, I found some #194 and #74 LED bulbs for the dash/ac panel at www.superbrightleds.com. Click on the "LED bulbs & products" tab, then go to "12 Volt LED CAR BULBS", click on "Buy Now", and you will find a list of various LED bulbs for automotive applications. The #194's & 74's are at the bottom. Hope that helps guys. I gave BlueRanger a pretty in depth explanation on the process I used, so if you want more details, just read the quote I posted. Good luck, hope this helps.
-Geoff

[bretbowman]

Has any one tried these five LED WIDE ANGLE lights? I was thinking of trimming out the entire inside in blue, but I have a few reservations that I'm hoping you guys can help me put to rest.

I'm aware that blue LEDs do not put out near as high intensity of light as other colored LEDs. Because of this I'm a little bit nervous about buying 15 to 20 brand new LEDs (@ $2 or $3 each) to install in my car, only to go through the cost and trouble to find out that afterwards my wife can barely read the dials in the dash when she drives at night.

I was looking at the following "super wide angle" LEDs as a possible solution, but I'm not sure if they'll fit into the bulb holes, or if they'll produce bright spots (or dark spots) if I use them and/or place foil over the tip of the LED (as BlueRanger had suggested a little higher in this thread). Whether or not they'll work is one thing. If someone has used the standard blue (single LED) lights before and they're plenty bright enough, please let me know and I'll stick with playing it safe. Otherwise, if any of you think these five LED "super wide angle" lights will work, I maybe willing to give them a try.

See this link: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...e/commerce.cgi
* 8th LED from the bottom (43rd light down from the top)

Description is as follows:
WLED-5 Wide Angle LED bulb 12 VDC 5-LED Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type) Super Wide Viewing Angle bulb uses 4 radially mounted LEDs aiming out the sides and one High Flux LED on top Non Polarized
$ 2.79

These lights have four individual LEDs that each go around the outside of the light pointing "outward" circling a enter LED that points straight forward.

I was thinking of trying BlueRanger's suggestion of gluing a tiny circle of reflective foil to the end of the center LED and using the FIVE LED light to make the blue illumination brighter or more intense. I don't know if these bulb would fit though. I'd rather not get into cutting into the boards on the dash. I just want to swap out the lights, but I'm worried about the LEDs not being bright enough if I do blue like I'm wanting to.

Does anyone think that this is a particularly good or bad idea? WHY?

PS – Also, I may like to replace the “tube” type dome light in the 2nd row and by the back door with blue LED dome lights, but I have no idea which light to get. Does anyone know the specifications of that light for the 2002 Sequoia?

[Imdone]

See the thread titled "Speedo Lighting" and you will find all variations of the bulbs you are talking about and others.

[bretbowman]

Did mine (partially) too. I need to order more LEDs, but want to do my car too, so I'll probably take the dash apart and then find out what type of bulbs I need and place my order then. The blue LEDs that I put into the doors and dome and map lights look incredibly cool though. I have received lots of compliments on them from neighbors and friends and plan to eventuall replace all of them with blue. I'd like the dash to be all blue as well as the center console and the ash tray, and glove box lights. I did change the key ring light around the ignition key ring. They all look very good. Blue LEDs have a very cool "icy" look and I certainly recommend this mod to anyone who is looking to change the interior look of their vehicle, especially at night.