LED Mod Thread

[djthumper]

He has a build thread on ORTB. IIRC it is a 2.5" lift with 32" tires and 1.5" spacers.

http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1861

 

[bmcutright]

He has a build thread on ORTB. IIRC it is a 2.5" lift with 32" tires and 1.5" spacers.

http://forums.offroadtb.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1861

Thanks DJ, W9EKG

 

[Midnyteryder196]

I want to redo my dome lights, with SMDs instead of the old school 5mm ones. Should be brighter, and allow me to use fewer, so things should fit together better. The 2nd row light housing doesn't close all the way, and the 3rd row lights, you can't push the switch (not that anyone ever sits back there that would need it) but it's the principality of the matter.

A couple of people have done red, it's not as bright as the other colors, so at least you won't have to worry about it being harsh on your eyes.

I have wanted to try making my own smd panels, but just haven't gotten there yet in my skills lol

I did buy the 15 smd panels that have the plug adapters with them on eBay and have them in my domes. 2nd row has 2 panels per fixture, 3rd row 1 panel per fixture and cargo has 2 panels in the fixture.

My 1st row lights have just 194 plug n plays with 5 smd BC the wife didn't want the bright light up front Haha

But yeah Carlton if you start making smd panels we gonna need a write up

 

[Sparky]

New LED strips ordered.

I was going to go through superbrightleds.com as I've always been very happy with their quality, but man, they wanted over $100 for a 5 meter roll of the waterproof 5050 LED strips and they wouldn't sell shorter lengths of that particular strip! No idea why not, they do for everything else.

So I trolled ebay for a while and found what looks to be possibly the same LED strip, for a lot less, in 1 meter lengths. Thing is I'm not sure whether the 6000k cool white is what I want, or the 5000k "warm" white Supposedly my current 3528 LEDs are 7500k which is why they are way too blue for me (and 3528 is too dim), but I want to be sure. So I spent the extra $10 and got both color temps.

I'll also have plenty of extra of all of them for any other things I might want to do down the road

Hopefully opening up my headlights again won't be too difficult, but having used clear RTV I'm not expecting it to be easy. I might end up buying another set of lights to open up and swap the guts.

 

[Blckshdw]

At least a 5mm SMD is definitely the way to go as far as light output goes. I also couldn't decide between 5000k or 6000k, and by mistake, I ended up getting both. The forward facing strips have 6000K white LEDs and the side firing ones behind the smoked lenses have 5000K. Thanks to the tinted lenses, no one notices but me. The halos are 6000K, so they match the front (and mirror) strips, so that all worked out.

When you opened your lights, you used the bake method right? If you put RTV in that channel to seal them up, you'll have to cut them open this time around. The same method I used in my write up (I really need to work on publishing some of the old articles ) would work for you, but there's no way you could bake them again.

I'm having a really weird issue with my front driver's side park/turns. On cold starts, when the auto lights fire, sometimes the turn signal will flicker. Faster than hyperflashing. The only thing that fixes it is toggling the override switch for the headlights. At first I thought it was the switchback module in that light. Swapped it out, no change. Then I figured maybe my LM487 was crapping out, so I swapped the stock flasher module in, still no change. Thought maybe there was an internal issue with the pigtail I used in the headlight, so swapped that out over the weekend, and this morning it still happened.

So I've changed everything that wasn't stock on the truck, now I have to dig into the wiring and crap that is. It doesn't happen on the tail light, or mirror, so that helps me narrow it down some. I'll have to dig through the wiring diagrams to formulate a plan of attack.

 

[Sparky]

Yes I used the bake method, which is why I figure I'll probably get another set to bake open since they won't come back apart too easily. But we'll see if I can neatly cut them open or not.

I remembered I used a generous amount of black RTV to hold my LED strip panels in place also

 

[Blckshdw]

What did you mount your strips to? I had a ton of clear acrylic leftover from the vacuum table fiasco , so I cut a couple of strips out, painted the backside black, and used 3M double sided tape on my strips. Holds great, and I can pull it off easily enough.

I know once I get a small separation in the RTV, it's pretty easy to keep it going. I'm pretty sure you can cut the back of the headlight cleanly enough to get a blade in and cut the RTV around the edges. The inside section, you'd just be cutting the plastic straight through. Just don't use the standard tiny Dremel cutoff wheels. Huge FAIL and headaches will await you, if you do.

 

[Sparky]

I used some scrap aluminum sheet metal. The strips are double sided taped to it, then that plate is glued in place to the bezel.

 

[Blckshdw]

Hmm, I never thought of that. I drilled holes in my acrylic, and used the screws for the stock reflector to hold it in place. Luckily the strips behind the corner lenses fit in the holder and didn't push against the corner lens, or I woulda had to get creative. And by that point, I was all out of creative...

 

[Sparky]

I originally drilled holes to do that, but I didn't like the recessed look it gave me. I wanted a more flush fit look so there wouldn't be any gaps.

 

[Blckshdw]

I sort of noticed that too. Wasn't enough to bother me, I think that's because my main lenses are cloudy enough that you can't notice it. I think if I color matched my bezels like I was going to do a couple weeks ago, it would be more prominent. I'll have to keep your method in mind for my next retrofit.

 

[Aarkon]

The start of my conversion

 

[MAY03LT]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281270310545?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Whatchu guys think about this red LED strip?

I'm trying to do what mrphoenix80 on his, like this:



The plan is to leave the red LEDs in the cluster just like they are now and add the LED strips like he did. I'm also going to try to de-blue the lens like midnight did.

 

[Blckshdw]

Hey wait a minute, you got a problem with blue buddy?

That strip looks like it should do the trick. I guess if you can get the overlay off of the gauge face, it should be pretty easy to get the blue film off of it. Some more detailed pics would probably be good as a reference for future members that want to try it.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281270310545?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Whatchu guys think about this red LED strip?

I'm trying to do what mrphoenix80 on his, like this:

mrphoenix80cluster.jpg

The plan is to leave the red LEDs in the cluster just like they are now and add the LED strips like he did. I'm also going to try to de-blue the lens like midnight did.

I think your gonna have to use the dimmer after taking the blue off and adding the strips Haha. That thing is gonna be BRIGHT!

I added 2 bulbs per spot in the cluster, bent them at diff angles, and with the pink its pretty bright at night.

 

[Aarkon]

has anyone been able to find an led replacement light for the vanity mirrors?

 

[Blckshdw]

has anyone been able to find an led replacement light for the vanity mirrors?

I know Decembersend did this mod, and I believe a couple other people have done it as well. Can't recall what size they used though.

 

[Aarkon]

I know Decembersend did this mod, and I believe a couple other people have done it as well. Can't recall what size they used though.

ya ive been searching all over for them since they look exactly like a glass fuse its hard to find something that small

 

[Blckshdw]

As much as I like to complicate things, since I had to use TINY SMDs for my rear view mirror, I'd probably just try to solder a tiny resistor, and some solid strand wire to the ends and shove those in there, if I had vanity lights.

 

[MAY03LT]

Hey wait a minute, you got a problem with blue buddy?

That strip looks like it should do the trick. I guess if you can get the overlay off of the gauge face, it should be pretty easy to get the blue film off of it. Some more detailed pics would probably be good as a reference for future members that want to try it.

Naw, blue cool guy. My pickup is almost completely blued out - just need the headlight switch and HVAC controls modded to complete it..

Thanks boss, I'm going to give them a try. I got my "you know" cluster the other day to swap in so I can take my time this time. And take pics.

I think your gonna have to use the dimmer after taking the blue off and adding the strips Haha. That thing is gonna be BRIGHT!

I added 2 bulbs per spot in the cluster, bent them at diff angles, and with the pink its pretty bright at night.

Man I hope so - I've been living with a dim cluster for far too long. And your debluing post is what got me remotivated to get back in and make it right

has anyone been able to find an led replacement light for the vanity mirrors?

If your 08 is like my 03 the bulb is a 74.

These are the ones that I used. They aren't the brightest but they look cool.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-X-5MM-LED-T5-2721-286-74-37-BRIGHT-WHITE-INTERIOR-DOME-LIGHT-BULB-LAMP-BULBS-/180922222236?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a1fce069c

 

[Aarkon]

This is what my bulb looks like its 14v and 1 candle power

 

[Sparky]

Is the purpose of the LED strip to more evenly light the cluster?

Or just to make it blinding bright?

 

[MAY03LT]

I just want the cluster to be as bright as the rest of the lights. Here you can barely see the cluster.



This kinda shows how dim the cluster is compared to the headlight switch.

I'm hoping that between debluing the cluster and adding the strips that I can have my cake and eat it too.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

So question foe the ones that have done the led vanity lights.. we have already discovered that with leds in reading lights that they are dim when just switching one on, and that if u open n close the vanity that they will be full brightness.. so if you have LEDs in vanity doest the opening and closing of it make the reading lights full brightness?

 

[Aarkon]

i finally found some that are an exact match looks like the bulb number is 6641 here is the ones i bought
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-Xenon-White-Vanity-LED-Light-bulbs-Mirror-Fuse-Sun-Visor-29mm-3528-6SMD-/121237351023?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c3a4f2a6f&vxp=mtr

 

[neohio]

Kevin in texas has these in stock. I want to say I was less than $20 for 4 plus shipping.

 

[MAY03LT]

So question foe the ones that have done the led vanity lights.. we have already discovered that with leds in reading lights that they are dim when just switching one on, and that if u open n close the vanity that they will be full brightness.. so if you have LEDs in vanity doest the opening and closing of it make the reading lights full brightness?

No sir. I just tested mine and the results were shocking!

Drivers clicky light on



Drivers clicky light on and visor opened - turned off clicky



Clicky on, visor opened, interior lights turned on with switch - no clicky



Clicky off, visor opened, interior lights turned on with switch

 

[Sparky]

My new LED strips arrived today. FAR brighter than the current ones. Also pretty sure I want the 6000k cool white over the 5000k warm white, but I'll wait for final judgement until after I take them out and set them on the truck near the current set to do a direct comparison. I'll also get pics.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

No sir. I just tested mine and the results were shocking!

Drivers clicky light on

IMG_20140506_202326_842.jpg

Drivers clicky light on and visor opened - turned off clicky

IMG_20140506_202336_662.jpg

Clicky on, visor opened, interior lights turned on with switch - no clicky

IMG_20140506_202349_708.jpg

Clicky off, visor opened, interior lights turned on with switch

IMG_20140506_202359_002.jpg

Hmm. Very interesting. Maybe I won't do the vanity LEDs then

 

[Sparky]

Comparisons to what is currently there (ignore the nasty painted crossbar that I failed miserably at painting properly, lol I'm redoing it!)

3528 SMD 7500k, vs 5050 SMD 5000k

3528 SMD 7500k, vs 5050 SMD 6000k

3528 SMD amber, vs 5050 SMD amber

I'm going to crack my headlights open next week (maybe literally lol) and see about getting these strips swapped and the lights finally properly fully aimed.

 

[Blckshdw]

Those will definitely be an improvement.

I'm still chasing my electrical gremlin with these lights. I swapped the LS106 sockets from side to side hoping if my issue followed that, it would be a simple $10 fix for a new one. Nope, still same side this morning. I didn't have the problem of my parking lights shutting off on either side, or the turn signal randomly going solid like the other day, no clue what happened there. The issue didn't seem to affect the 194 socket, and from looking at the wiring diagram, they are powered from the same points coming out of the front fuse block, so that leaves me with a stock wiring issue. This is going to be really fun to track down. At least they are on the same side of the truck, so if I have to remove my HID harnesses and the battery, everything is right there.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

Comparisons to what is currently there (ignore the nasty painted crossbar that I failed miserably at painting properly, lol I'm redoing it!)

3528 SMD 7500k, vs 5050 SMD 5000k

3528 SMD 7500k, vs 5050 SMD 6000k

3528 SMD amber, vs 5050 SMD amber

I'm going to crack my headlights open next week (maybe literally lol) and see about getting these strips swapped and the lights finally properly fully aimed.

I really like how the strips look.. how did you mount them in the turn signal reflector?

 

[Blckshdw]

I really like how the strips look.. how did you mount them in the turn signal reflector?

<snip>

I remembered I used a generous amount of black RTV to hold my LED strip panels in place also

I used some scrap aluminum sheet metal. The strips are double sided taped to it, then that plate is glued in place to the bezel.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

Lol I understand that Carlton.. is there any pics on here of how they are mounted

Are they mounted on bottom or top of reflector? Or right down in it where the original bulb is?

Remember still a noob with fabricating.. lol

 

[Blckshdw]

It's not mounted to the reflector at all. The plate is glued to the backside of the bezel. The thing he wanted to accomplish was not to have the strips be recessed inside the light, like mine are due to being mounted where the reflector mounts. I imagine he applied a small bead of glue to the rim of the bezel, fitted the plate so the strips showed the way he wanted, and pressed.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

It's not mounted to the reflector at all. The plate is glued to the backside of the bezel. The thing he wanted to accomplish was not to have the strips be recessed inside the light, like mine are due to being mounted where the reflector mounts. I imagine he applied a small bead of glue to the rim of the bezel, fitted the plate so the strips showed the way he wanted, and pressed.

Ahhh.. gotcha! That's a pretty slick trick. Lol. Thanks Carlton!

 

[Blckshdw]

lol I know. I wish I thought of it too!

 

[Sparky]

I don't have pics of the mounting since I was in a bit of a rush to finish them at the time. When I take them apart again nI'll try to remember to snap some.

 

[Sparky]

Well the extra set of headlights arrived.

They aren't made by Eagle Eyes like my current set. They are made by Vision Auto Lamps and instead of the gray goo sealing the lens there is some black stuff instead and it looks like it might be a lot more rigid My knife blade makes dents in it easier than the rest of the housing, but not really that much, and I suspect that baking won't help me any. Probably won't be any better off with these than my current RTV'ed set of lights.

Dang it.

Anyone want a brand new stock set of headlights?
Or maybe I should try to return them. Probably a 15% restock fee or something like that.

 

[Boricua SS]

Those are the kind I got Jared. Waaaay hard to bake open and I couldnt even crack um open with the dremel. That black goop is tough!