Support Group/Thread For Mod Addiction or MA

[Sparky]

I still have a regular wire nut in my one headlight from when I ran out of solder...

Yeah don't do that. I've been ok with everything on mine, but really is bad practice. Maybe use the T splice as a test run first (I wired mine backwards the first time) then when confirmed that you have it right solder into the wiring. Nice to be able to easily reverse something if you goof a connection like I did.

 

[BlazingTrails]

These types of taps are not very good for a couple of reasons they only make contact with about 1/3 of the strands in the wire, and the connection is not tight so eventually they loose connection due to moving or getting hot and melting. Also a lot of time they cut several strands of wire which lessen the amperage load they can carry. Aaaaaand they look bad.

If done correctly soldering thoroughly connects all the strands in the wire, and the strip twist method if done properly will as well. and no chance of either one coming loose or melting.

But Splices are not as bad, but definitely a weak point in a wire splice. no matter how good you put them on they can be pulled out, and they are not sealed so the wire is susceptible to corrosion. If one were wanting to avoid a solder gun, the third best solution is probably to get un-insulated butt splices and use heat shrink on them.

They even make these to adapt to different sized wires

 

[Mounce]

I agree on the quick taps. Used them a couple times, took them off of one set of wires and there were only a few stands still intact, they mangle the wires and that's definitely not what I want to do to stock wiring anymore.

 

[Blckshdw]

Been trolling the interwebz, and today I find myself looking for switchback bulbs (yes, again, I know ) Currently I don't have any 194 bulbs in since my stock lights have the amber lenses. When I finish my current retrofit, I think I wanna put something pnp over there, so checking out what options I can find for 194s. I'll have to build more polarity switchers and all that, but at least I already have the schematic for it.

 

[BlazingTrails]

I just ordered another batch of 20 194 5-smd bulbs. I get them on ebay pretty cheap. The first batch I ordered were 10 smd but they were much smaller chips and looked spotty. I am hoping the 5's will be a little smoother

 

[Capote]

Glad you've upgraded the interior bulbs to LED, probably living the crispyness ehh?

 

[djthumper]

I just ordered another batch of 20 194 5-smd bulbs. I get them on ebay pretty cheap. The first batch I ordered were 10 smd but they were much smaller chips and looked spotty. I am hoping the 5's will be a little smoother

My 5's look good, I have to get more though, I have an smd that is flickering.

 

[Capote]

My 5's look good, I have to get more though, I have an smd that is flickering.

How much is it flickering?

 

[Sparky]

My one license plate LED flickers when cold, but once warmed up it is fine. Go figure, with LEDs it is usually the other way around.

 

[BlazingTrails]

Yeah the interior does look cool. I'm not sure if anybody else notices it like I do though. lol

every time I unlock my truck I'm like holy shit yeah

 

[dmanns67]

Yeah the interior does look cool. I'm not sure if anybody else notices it like I do though. lol

every time I unlock my truck I'm like holy shit yeah

Not only that, but you can actually see $hit when you turn the interior lights on at night. My 5630s are blinding. They light up my garage through the tinted windows when I hit the unlock button

 

[Darkrider_LS]

I have yet to fit Leds in the interiors of my suvs...had a 24 led panel in the 1 ton and Damn that thing was bright!

 

[Capote]

I have yet to fit Leds in the interiors of my suvs...had a 24 led panel in the 1 ton and Damn that thing was bright!

Dude hop on the bandwagon already lol

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Dude hop on the bandwagon already lol

I would have awhile ago if it wasn't for the fact that the supplier that Im a vendor for had not recently up and decided to stop offering pnp interior Leds. So I def need to find a new source and take the time to go through the led thread again to get the parts numbers I need for the trailblazer.

 

[Capote]

194 bro

 

[Darkrider_LS]

194 bro

Iirc the center ones are a festoon style bulb. But the cargo and front map lights are 194?

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Only cargo is festoon I believe. 212 I think.

 

[Darkrider_LS]

Hmmm I will double check the ones I can get at tonight. Can't get at the cargo ones atm due to a dead battery in the tb.

 

[dmanns67]

The cargo area is the festoon type. 212-2 is the bulb number for incandescent bulbs. With LEDs you are looking for a 42mm festoon. When you search for "212 LED" you most likely will see 211-2 LED show up. As long as the festoon is 42mm, it will work. Also, some of the festoon LEDs are adjustable from 35mm-45mm. Just make sure you read the description.

The bulbs for the sunvisor vanity mirror are festoon type too. Also known as "fuse" type. To replace those with LEDs, you are looking for a 29mm festoon. Most of the time you can search vanity mirror LED on EBay or Amazon and the search will bring them up.

All other interior lights require a 194 or T10 LED whether it is a panel or a bulb.

 

[BlazingTrails]

in my TB the cargo light is a 212-2, center light has (2) 194, and the front has (2) 194

 

[Capote]

I'm gonna swap out my rear cargo LED for blue or green. Tired of the white

 

[BlazingTrails]

I did mine super white because that's how pimps do it

 

[Capote]

I did mine super white because that's how pimps do it

So like 6k's?

 

[dmanns67]

So like 6k's?

5k FTW

 

[Mounce]

I just ordered another batch of 20 194 5-smd bulbs. I get them on ebay pretty cheap. The first batch I ordered were 10 smd but they were much smaller chips and looked spotty. I am hoping the 5's will be a little smoother

I have some like that, 20 for $7 on Ebay. I think they do great. Got them in the gauge cluster, HVAC controls, shift indicator (not sure that it would be called an indicator, it's the thing that tells you what gear you're in - prnd321) and tag lights on my Mustang. Also have them in the tag lights on the TB.

My 5's look good, I have to get more though, I have an smd that is flickering.

I also have one that's flickering Been too lazy to pull the gauge cluster to replace it.

 

[BlazingTrails]

I got behind a Chevy Colorado the other day at a red light and all of his tail lights were flickering BADLY. he has put in all leds and they were barely working...

 

[djthumper]

How much is it flickering?

Enough that I noticed it when I opened my door

Iirc the center ones are a festoon style bulb. But the cargo and front map lights are 194?

T10 5-smd chip FTW

 

[Capote]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Trailblazer-SS-Sport-Utility-4-Door-2006-chevrolet-trailblazer-ss-6-0-l-ls-1-body-damage-/301422998326?forcerrptr=true&hash=item462e35f336&item=301422998326&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 

[djthumper]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ETCIO8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=FEGY4JANLAVG&coliid=I1HTJ5LKTAAEPN

 

[dmanns67]

I got behind a Chevy Colorado the other day at a red light and all of his tail lights were flickering BADLY. he has put in all leds and they were barely working...

Much easier to swap in some LED tails, but much more expensive. I like the smooth cover of my tails versus the bubble look of OE.

 

[Mounce]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ETCIO8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=FEGY4JANLAVG&coliid=I1HTJ5LKTAAEPN

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251370483066&alt=web

 

[Midnyteryder196]

T10 5-smd chip FTW

Nah these FTW.. Haha

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=251350269673&alt=web

 

[Midnyteryder196]

in my TB the cargo light is a 212-2, center light has (2) 194, and the front has (2) 194

Aww.. All u swb guys with so little lighting.. Lol.. Us lwb have the 212 cargo, (1) 194 per side above 3rd row, (2) 194 per side above rear doors, (2) 194 per side above front doors, and I even have (2) 194 in center up front

 

[Capote]

Seriously considering going to the wreck yard in town and looking for some used tails to experiment with. I want to buy some red Halo's and see if I can pull off this mod:
If I can pull it off successfully, I'll transfer it over to my own tails


EDIT: mod please delete copy of picture, Tapa is being a b!tch, thanks

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Think I like that.

 

[Capote]

Think I like that.

Yeah man, would be very unique to have

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Perfect it so I can copy it

 

[Capote]

If i'm successful, and get it down maybe I'll start making them to sell to ya'll lol

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Boom...Side business in the mod scene! Do i get a discount if I run some prototypes for you and pimp yo shite!

 

[Capote]

Chyess chyess suppose bro