speedo lighting

[glenhaven]

I have not taken off my speedo yet -- could I put a blue lighting film over the back of the speedo to make it illuminate blue (I have blue lighting film) __ just wondering before I do a major light bulb swap == there are problems with getting a center blue bulb -- just fishing around for Ideas == thanks glen

[James800]

I did something similar, I used red bulbs, and then the reverse glow gauges. if you have the blue covers try that! there is a green cover on them now, pull that off first. some people i know have tried blue bulbs, and it was not all that bright. i hope you have better luck! post some pics if you can!

[Stargazer]

I changed the colour of the lighting in the guage cluster to red by just removing the bulb covers. I put instructions and pictures of my install on my web page:

http://www.istargazer.ca/sequoia/dashlights/page_01.htm

I tried blue bulb covers too but it looked faint compared to the vibrant blue VWs come with from the factory that I was used to.

Here's a picture with the blue covers on compared to the stock green:


(click to enlarge--sorry it's blurry--but you can get an idea of the colour)

[tremo]

Excellent How-To page! FWIW, here's the link straight to the bulb covers @ McMaster.Com:

http://www.mcmaster.com/asp/DisplCtl...MMainWidth=812

Scroll down to "Colored Light Bulb Covers" and look for T1. (You may want to add it to your instructions?)

The part number is 16925K11 and they are $3.56 for a package of 10. Since your detailed instructions said you need a total of 17 bulb covers for the Sequoia, folks need to order two packages.

I just placed my order for Blue and Red covers and it was $14.24. However, they don't tell you the shipping cost (UPS Ground) even after placing the order. Kinda lame...

Thanks!

Jim.

[glenhaven]

I ordered amber and red to see how the amber looks -- because my XM radio is amber--This mod is laid out really great --Stargazer's Garage is awesome --you have done a great job on all of your vehicles and you do an awesome job with the instructions -- I mean awesome – I am following them step by step – thanks again glen

I ordered over the phone -- the shipping was about six bucks -- I have to wait 10 days as I did not want to pay for two different shipping orders -- the amber bulb covers were not in stock –

[glenhaven]

There are three sizes bulbs in a tundra 03 the small one fit perfect, the second to the biggest one -- well it might have been possible -- but even expanding the cover with tweezers I ripped three of the covers -- I wet the bulb and everything I could think of – The larger bulb I am saying it is impossible –



Now -- back to the website to order more -- both larger sizes -- I guess I have to go in a look at all of the bulbs - to see what size they are -- and how many I will need.



Making me work for it -- but I will like it when I am done -- glen

[tremo]

Hey GH,

Let me share what I know in talking to Stargazer (who's "...on summer break and won't have regular access to a computer for the next couple of months.")

* I have an '02 Tundra and he has a '03 Sequoia, but from what I can tell the bulb layout is nearly identical.

* Not sure about 3 sizes? I've done the parking brake foot well light, the glove box and looked at the gauge cluster and only encountered two sizes: T1 = Smaller size, T1 3/4 = Larger size

* For the center console he calls out 10 bulbs in the How-To and he believes these are the larger T1 3/4 bulb: ""As for the 10 bulbs in the center console, I believe they are all the larger bulbs T1 3/4--the same size as the one's in the gauge cluster."

So, figure this in when you place your new order. (I plan to use the T1 3/4 covers for the gauge and center console.) Also, please let us know what the third size is and where it's located...

* I ordered all T1 sizes since SG used these on all the bulbs, but I also could not figure out a way to get those little bitty T1 size "condoms" over the larger gauge bulbs! Like you, I tried tweezers strectching the material to near breaking and still no luck. SG says:

As for those tiny suckers, yes they are difficult to put on but they will fit. I just slowly worked the end on to the tip of the bulb. Then I would carefully "massage" it forward until the entire bulb was covered--I imagine it might be how mice practice safe sex . It stretches quite easily and thinly so I tried to move it around and even it out so that there wouldn't be any dark splotches. Sometimes there would be a pocket of air at the very end of the tip, but that could be pushed out very easily.

* I tried blue, but like he said it's too "whitish". However, I had an idea to use two T1 covers for the smaller bulbs to darken it up. (I don't mind since I dim the gauge lights anyway...)

* I changed the ignition light to red to see if I want to go that route. Still undecided...

I think that's it. Hope this helps...

Seee-ya and good luck!

Jim.

[glenhaven]

Are you ordering more large covers?

What do you think about amber? As my XM Radio is amber -- I think it might look cool if all the lights in my cab matched -- however the red is close -- I did the brake light and the key light no problem -- there were two bigger sized bulbs in the speedo – I did not count all of the bulbs -- will have more info soon --

Thanks for the reply -- I like having all these new friends to share info with – I have never been an active member of a bulletin board – I am kind of a loner – even though I run drug and alcohol recovery homes (I have a six unit apt with 30 beds), I also have bulletin boards on two of my four websites -- I am not sick -- but I help people with HIV and hepatitis C -- they go to the bulletin boards everyday and they love it-- now I know why -- just rambling -- thanks glen

[tremo]

Originally Posted by glenhaven

Are you ordering more large covers?

What do you think about amber? As my XM Radio is amber -- I think it might look cool if all the lights in my cab matched -- however the red is close -- I did the brake light and the key light no problem -- there were two bigger sized bulbs in the speedo – I did not count all of the bulbs -- will have more info soon --

Thanks for the reply -- I like having all these new friends to share info with – I have never been an active member of a bulletin board – I am kind of a loner – even though I run drug and alcohol recovery homes (I have a six unit apt with 30 beds), I also have bulletin boards on two of my four websites -- I am not sick -- but I help people with HIV and hepatitis C -- they go to the bulletin boards everyday and they love it-- now I know why -- just rambling -- thanks glen

Yep, I'm getting some T1 3/4 covers to try out. I think Amber may look kinda cool...especially if it mathces the XM radio. Kind of a modern touch...

Hmmm...two bigger bulbs in the speedo eh? I only pulled the Oil Pressure and Water Temp bulb and it was a T1 3/4 (I assume). Note that the guide says "The bulbs behind the gauge are bigger than the other bulbs and match the T1 3/4 size bulb covers". If there are two sizes behind the gauge cluster, it would be good to know WHAT the other size is (T3 1/4?):

http://www.mcmaster.com/asp/DisplCtl...MMainWidth=812

Seee-ya,

Jim.

[Breathing Borla]

I am thinking of doing the blue ones, isn't there just somebody who makes colored bulbs instead of replacing covers?? if not, from what i hear the blue offers a bluish white light, right. I like blue/white lights so I guess this is the one I want. Is is less bright or just not blue enough for theose who said they did not like the blue? Are the bigger covers too thick and don't let enough light in??

Sorry for all the ?'s but I just don't want to go through the trouble if is all dim and not blue at all!!

Thanks,
BB

[Rlockyer]

For anyone in the Los Angeles area, if time isn't a problem and you don't mind the drive, you can save shipping AND get the stuff next day from McMaster... they're just off of Norwalk Blvd in Santa Fe Springs, and the will-call desk is open Saturday.
http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypMap.py?Pyt=...r:regT:1:fbT:0

Oops... THAT link didn't work. Mapquest 9630 Norwalk Blvd
Santa Fe Springs, CA and you'll get it.

The will-call window is actually about halfway up Pacific St.

[VanityPlates]

Blue, Red.....Led's are available from

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

I've replaced all dash, autometer gauges, doors everything!

They even have UV!

[tremo]

Originally Posted by Breathing Borla

...
if not, from what i hear the blue offers a bluish white light, right. I like blue/white lights so I guess this is the one I want. Is is less bright or just not blue enough for theose who said they did not like the blue? Are the bigger covers too thick and don't let enough light in??

Sorry for all the ?'s but I just don't want to go through the trouble if is all dim and not blue at all!!

Thanks,
BB

Hey BB,

Yeah, so far I've just added blue covers to the parking brake area and the glovebox and they were "whitish" like Stargazer mentioned in his How-To. They're plenty bright, but they're just not blue enough.

However, I added another cover to each bulb and they darkened up to more of a bluish white. Once I get the larger covers, I'll see what the gauge cluster looks like with one and/or two covers and report back. I hope it looks more bluish because I'm not sold on switching to red...

Seee-ya!

Jim.

[Breathing Borla]

Originally Posted by VanityPlates

Blue, Red.....Led's are available from

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

I've replaced all dash, autometer gauges, doors everything!

They even have UV!

which ones did you use . I looked at the site but could not determine which led would replace the lights in the tundra. It seems that replaceing the whole bulb would be a better option than just the covers. If you could offer some tech advice on how you made the switch and which ones to order it would be greatly appreciated.

[Breathing Borla]

Originally Posted by tremo

Hey BB,

Yeah, so far I've just added blue covers to the parking brake area and the glovebox and they were "whitish" like Stargazer mentioned in his How-To. They're plenty bright, but they're just not blue enough.

However, I added another cover to each bulb and they darkened up to more of a bluish white. Once I get the larger covers, I'll see what the gauge cluster looks like with one and/or two covers and report back. I hope it looks more bluish because I'm not sold on switching to red...

Seee-ya!

Jim.

let me know how it turns out, I think I am going to look into replacing the whole bulb with the blue led if vanityplates can offer some more direction. I would really dig blue gauges and lights. I replaced my dome light with a PIAA and it looks really cool, so now I will like to continue. I need some cheap mods for a while. I am saving for a custom XM radio install running through my NAK 45Z for the more expensive mod. The mod bug is biting me again , I have been good for while.