LED Mod Thread

[Blckshdw]

So what I have now is a hybrid midnyterydermrphoenix cluster that matches the surrounding switches and I couldn't be happier with the way that this turned out.
I'm not done LED-ing yet.

Gotten very strong, your LED mod bug has!

 

[MAY03LT]

This is how the sliders are shaping up. In this pic the strips have a lil extra so I could try different depths to get as close to even coverage as I can. The end result will be 6 smds per slider. Should look tight when it's done.

I learned something today - soldering new leads into an smd strip (the kind you can cut every 2 inches) is a real treat.

I'm waiting for silicone to dry so time to move on to the door modules. They've been done but the lock function on each one crapped out so the new ones have to be modded to red.

 

[MAY03LT]

This is version 3 since version 2 was a fail. The further the SMD strips set back, the more even they were at the face of the controller. So mounting them right to the controller was optimum. The problem was since I covered the slider bulb holes, I had to get power and ground from another bulb. Sounds easy, right? Nope.

Ohming B9 (ground) only had continuity where the red wires from the SMD strips go.
Ohming A7 (dim ckt B+) only had continuity where the blue wires from the SMD strips go.

So there was some testing to get it dialed in right.



The HVAC controller has a "buffer thingy" that dulls the speed/mode lights a little bit. Since I already had this sucker apart, I added another LED up top and swapped them all for 360 degree flat tops for max coverage.



As usual, camera does no justice. I'm going to give these things a bass shake test before buttoning this thing back up.

I got the new (used) DDMs and PDMs converted.

I'm not done LED'ing yet. Once I get a few other mods done it's on to the glove box.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Kinda wish I had the skill with soldering to take on doing my hvac control lol

 

[Blckshdw]

Kinda wish I had the skill with soldering to take on doing my hvac control lol

It really isn't that hard. Practice with some scrap wire, once you get your technique down, you'll kick yourself for putting it off for so long.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

It really isn't that hard. Practice with some scrap wire, once you get your technique down, you'll kick yourself for putting it off for so long.

It isn't the soldering itself it's the working with the controls. I have been soldering on rc cars and stereos for years.

 

[Blckshdw]

I have been soldering on rc cars and stereos for years.

Then what's the problem? Take the case apart, solder in your goodies, and on to the next mod!

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Then what's the problem? Take the case apart, solder in your goodies, and on to the next mod!

Hmmmm I suppose I could try by using pre assembled led strips...

 

[Aarkon]

Hmmmm I suppose I could try by using pre assembled led strips...

Trust me man once you start it ends up being really easy for the most part I was scared at first but I've been working on two trucks now and its actually addicting[emoji4]

 

[jstrut]

Trust me man once you start it ends up being really easy for the most part I was scared at first but I've been working on two trucks now and its actually addicting[emoji4]

It is very addicting! The best way to start is just to dive in. The best part I like is nothing is permanent, you could open something up solder everything in and then months later a better idea hits you and you go in and change it.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Trust me man once you start it ends up being really easy for the most part I was scared at first but I've been working on two trucks now and its actually addicting[emoji4]

Fair enough and I do have multiple projects to perfect my skills on...like the spare instrument cluster for my motorcycle for example....

It is very addicting! The best way to start is just to dive in. The best part I like is nothing is permanent, you could open something up solder everything in and then months later a better idea hits you and you go in and change it.

True!

 

[MAY03LT]

Go for it! The hardest part of the manual HVAC is getting the slider knobs off without pulling the sliders out of the pcb. I broke one of mine first time around. I dremeled off the knobs of the second one (since I still had good knobs from the first). I think Carlton showed how to notch the knobs to get them off with minimal risk. Once that is done there's 4 screws that hold the case together and 2 for the fan speed switch. You might have to double check that your 08 is the same pins (A7/B9) for dim/ground if you're going to bench test it (recommended).

 

[mrphoenix80]

That cluster looks awesome!!!!! I just happen to have a flickering LED in mine driving me nuts..... so when it comes out it might just get de-blued too!

As for the HVAC module I used a heat gun tip that came with my butane soldering iron. The end of the tip is about 1/4" in diam. so it puts the heat in a very small area. I heated the slider knobs up on the inside edge and used pliers to carefully remove them. Of course I had a junk module to practice on first. I found that to much heat will turn the face of the temp slider white.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Ordered some led last night. 300 watts worth

 

[Blckshdw]

Are these light bars for offroading?

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Prolly not going to use em on the interior

 

[MAY03LT]

That cluster looks awesome!!!!! I just happen to have a flickering LED in mine driving me nuts..... so when it comes out it might just get de-blued too!

As for the HVAC module I used a heat gun tip that came with my butane soldering iron. The end of the tip is about 1/4" in diam. so it puts the heat in a very small area. I heated the slider knobs up on the inside edge and used pliers to carefully remove them. Of course I had a junk module to practice on first. I found that to much heat will turn the face of the temp slider white.

Thanks! And thanks for sharing what you did to yours. It was an inspiration. If it wasn't for you and midnyte sharing your projects I would still be in a dim cluster world.

I've got another hvac coming (I goofed on my re-mod and popped her) and I'm going to try your guyses method for getting the sliders off.

 

[jstrut]

All i used for my sliders was a fork. Slide it in and a little wiggle and they popped right off

 

[Blckshdw]

Some sliders have teeth that grip better than others, so just pulling/prying on them causes the sliders to break and snap off the circuit board

 

[mrphoenix80]

Thankfully I had a scrap one to practice on because I did pull the slider off the board on the first one I tried. As a matter of fact I was very lucky because I had test parts for all my major parts the cluster, radio, HVAC and even 4WD switch

 

[MAY03LT]

Some sliders have teeth that grip better than others, so just pulling/prying on them causes the sliders to break and snap off the circuit board

I kinda wondered how some peeps got theirs off without a hitch and others (me included) had a bad time. I did notice a variety of OEM part numbers while shopping for new (used) ones on ebay.

 

[mcsteven]

Looking for suggestions. I understand the IP ratings. I want to get side firing strips to go around (top and outer edge) of my headlights. Probably 4500 to 5000 temperature, 12 V, and as bright as possible. Inexpensive would be nice as well. Suggestion of specs, model, sellers, anything is good.

Thanks,
Mcsteven

 

[Blckshdw]

Looking for suggestions. I understand the IP ratings. I want to get side firing strips to go around (top and outer edge) of my headlights. Probably 4500 to 5000 temperature, 12 V, and as bright as possible. Inexpensive would be nice as well. Suggestion of specs, model, sellers, anything is good.

Thanks,
Mcsteven

For inexpensive, any Ebay seller based over seas will fit the bill. For the most part, they all use the same components, usually 3528 sized SMDs. Sounds like you want warm or neutral white, which is what many of them refer to if they don't list a Kelvin rating. They are going to be bright, so you won't need to be worried about that.

When I bought mine for the eyebrow mod in post 1, I got them from Oznium.com They had a really good warranty system, which I had to use a couple of times, and I didn't have to send the strips back to them. They're based in Colorado I believe. That's the largest downsize to buying from China I'd say, waiting on shipping, or return shipping if needed.

My advice to you, find some strips in the color you want, at the length you want (or can trim it down) for a price you feel comfortable paying (single color strips are pretty cheap), and go for it.

 

[mcsteven]

Yeah I know about the sellers in China. I had purchased some blue strips for the interior on Amazon. Expected date was six weeks. I never received the strips, and after 10 weeks I requested, and Amazon gave me an immediate, refund. I'm actually looking for the cool white versus the warm. So, I've looked, I want them to be similar in color to the HIDs.

Is the 3528 the smaller LED? I know there was a second size, I believe it started with a five. I don't remember if I've seen the fives on the strip. From what I've seen it sounds like an IP 67 should be fine. I do use the self-serve car wash so they will get some water at pressure, but not be submerged. And while I like to save a buck, I think the only reason I went with the Chinese seller was that the strips were a dollar versus something like nine dollars for US seller. I had a bunch of Amazon credit. But I can usually find stuff on eBay with an American distributor for a dollar or so more. I'll check oznium.com

Thanks

 

[Mounce]

The second size with the 5's you're taking about is 5050. There are larger sizes too but the most common is 3528 and 5050.

 

[Blckshdw]

You might be thinking of the 5050 3-chip LEDs? Those are too wide to flip onto their side and solder to the PCB strip, so smaller LEDs have to be used.

Now that I do some digging, I think I mistyped. They use 335 SMDs in side firing strips. Check this link for some pics and data to reference.

The Comparison Between SMD 3528 and SMD 5050 LED Strip Lights

 

[bUAkronG]

such great stuff in here. Haven't even made it all the way through the thread yet, lots to read lol.

Getting my 05 Trailblazer EXT soon and I already pieced together an order from my buddy who sells interior LED kits. The only ones I wasn't sure of were the vanity lights. My EXT only has one per visor, above the mirror. I saw MAY03LT's video already but of course my setup is different than his.

Has anyone replaced the bulbs on the visors with a single fuse-style bulb? Sorry if this has already been addressed and thanks in advance.

 

[Blckshdw]

such great stuff in here. Haven't even made it all the way through the thread yet, lots to read lol.

Getting my 05 Trailblazer EXT soon and I already pieced together an order from my buddy who sells interior LED kits. The only ones I wasn't sure of were the vanity lights. My EXT only has one per visor, above the mirror. I saw MAY03LT's video already but of course my setup is different than his.

Has anyone replaced the bulbs on the visors with a single fuse-style bulb? Sorry if this has already been addressed and thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum, and a potentially highly addictive thread.

I don't have vanity lights in my truck, and all the ones I've seen have 2 bulbs on the sides, so I guess you'll be the first to tackle this one!

 

[bUAkronG]

Welcome to the forum, and a potentially highly addictive thread.

I don't have vanity lights in my truck, and all the ones I've seen have 2 bulbs on the sides, so I guess you'll be the first to tackle this one!

lol well hopefully I won't catch the bug to the extent that others have. It'll be my wife's DD so she probably won't want me tearing it up too much

I'll have to see how things go once the lights and the truck are in my possession. Right now my dad has it to do some motor work before we take a 1300 mile trip to Florida with it lol

 

[Blckshdw]

lol well hopefully I won't catch the bug to the extent that others have. It'll be my wife's DD so she probably won't want me tearing it up too much

I'll have to see how things go once the lights and the truck are in my possession. Right now my dad has it to do some motor work before we take a 1300 mile trip to Florida with it lol

You're new here, so you don't know how things work. But the closer you get to my part of the world, the faster your LED mod bug will grow.

Dunno what part of the state you're heading to, but you could be in deep shit soon buddy!

 

[dmanns67]

Has anyone replaced the bulbs on the visors with a single fuse-style bulb?

I have replaced my vanity mirror incandescent bulbs with LEDs. Mine only take a single fuse style on each side. You can search vanity mirror LED on EBay and find some options.

You will be looking for one that is 29mm in length. They are pretty cheap, usually a couple bucks for a pair.

 

[MAY03LT]

Has anyone replaced the bulbs on the visors with a single fuse-style bulb? Sorry if this has already been addressed and thanks in advance.

Nothing to be sorry about! When I made that vid I didn't know there were two styles of mirrors until much later when aarkon mentioned that his were different. I'm just waiting for a donor vehicle to do a second vid on them. Shameless plug here for anyone in the lower 302 who has the single bulb vanitys and wants the mod done to pm me.

You're new here, so you don't know how things work. But the closer you get to my part of the world, the faster your LED mod bug will grow.

Dunno what part of the state you're heading to, but you could be in deep shit soon buddy!

That mod bug will def get you in trouble. Imagine explaining to your wife that you need not one but two hvac controllers because you broke yours during a mod gone wrong and you want one to mod and one for a spare. Yeah.

 

[bUAkronG]

You're new here, so you don't know how things work. But the closer you get to my part of the world, the faster your LED mod bug will grow.

Dunno what part of the state you're heading to, but you could be in deep shit soon buddy!

I'm familiar with the LED mod bug! I had a 360 with a blue ring instead of green, and a controller with blue LEDs as well.

We will be in Panama City Beach.why would I be in deep shit depending on where I was?

I have replaced my vanity mirror incandescent bulbs with LEDs. Mine only take a single fuse style on each side. You can search vanity mirror LED on EBay and find some options.
You will be looking for one that is 29mm in length. They are pretty cheap, usually a couple bucks for a pair.

Perfect! I ordered 29mm fuse style replacement bulbs, any tips on making the swap?

Nothing to be sorry about! When I made that vid I didn't know there were two styles of mirrors until much later when aarkon mentioned that his were different. I'm just waiting for a donor vehicle to do a second vid on them. Shameless plug here for anyone in the lower 302 who has the single bulb vanitys and wants the mod done to pm me.


That mod bug will def get you in trouble. Imagine explaining to your wife that you need not one but two hvac controllers because you broke yours during a mod gone wrong and you want one to mod and one for a spare. Yeah.

Bingo! I don't have a spare car to tinker on lol. I need to get my car back up and running to play with.

 

[Blckshdw]

I was just joking with you, trying to say that if your mod bug got too close to mine, it could pick up some suggestions on mods you didn't necessarily want to start looking into just yet. When my mod bug doesn't get to get mods rolling, it likes to live vicariously through other members'.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Nothing to be sorry about! When I made that vid I didn't know there were two styles of mirrors until much later when aarkon mentioned that his were different. I'm just waiting for a donor vehicle to do a second vid on them. Shameless plug here for anyone in the lower 302 who has the single bulb vanitys and wants the mod done to pm me.


That mod bug will def get you in trouble. Imagine explaining to your wife that you need not one but two hvac controllers because you broke yours during a mod gone wrong and you want one to mod and one for a spare. Yeah.

Thank god the gf is understanding about things like that...I told her point blank that I will probably end up on ebay looking for a spare hvac and headlight control to modify and she's ok with it lol

I was just joking with you, trying to say that if your mod bug got too close to mine, it could pick up some suggestions on mods you didn't necessarily want to start looking into just yet. When my mod bug doesn't get to get mods rolling, it likes to live vicariously through other members'.

I think i had to kick yours out of my wallet earlier this month....

 

[dmanns67]

Perfect! I ordered 29mm fuse style replacement bulbs, any tips on making the swap?

Its pretty straight forward install. If you install the LED and it does not light up, flip it 180º. Make sure you post

 

[MAY03LT]

Thank god the gf is understanding about things like that...I told her point blank that I will probably end up on ebay looking for a spare hvac and headlight control to modify and she's ok with it lol

Nice! Normally she's cool with everything but this year I went overboard on mods so I was already on thin ice lol. Plus she's jelly that the TB is getting all this work done and she still can't find the Tahoe that she wants.

 

[Midnyteryder196]

Well just put in my order for some 335 side fire strips for the eyebrows.. And some 5630 strips.. Not exactly for sure what I'm going to do with the 5630s yet, but for 3 bucks I can afford to have them lay around.. Lol

 

[Aarkon]

Has anyone replaced the bulbs on the visors with a single fuse-style bulb? Sorry if this has already been addressed and thanks in advance.

Sorry it took me so long to chime in but the bulb number is 6641 for your vanity mirrors

 

[bUAkronG]

I was just joking with you, trying to say that if your mod bug got too close to mine, it could pick up some suggestions on mods you didn't necessarily want to start looking into just yet. When my mod bug doesn't get to get mods rolling, it likes to live vicariously through other members'.

Oh haha yeah I don't think I'd want my wife to see your truck, I'd be even more busy than I already am lol

Its pretty straight forward install. If you install the LED and it does not light up, flip it 180º. Make sure you post

I just don't know how to get the lens off the mirror in order to get to the bulb. You think I'll be able to figure it out?

Sorry it took me so long to chime in but the bulb number is 6641 for your vanity mirrors

Sweet, the ones I ordered are 29mm fuse-style