If you use a color like blue or red, then a coat of white behind that will make it reflect that color even more. If you want it to light the same color as the leds, then just paint the backs white as mentioned above.

http://a206.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/8/l_5b9a7f96ba636f1efa1333ec6d6c82e5.jpg

<3

Thanks again Squall!

will a mcd of 150 be bright enough for red and white? thanks.

anyone??

150 would probably be a tad dim. I would go for at least 350 mcd. You can get them for $.40 - $.50 or so with shipping.

150 would probably be a tad dim. I would go for at least 350 mcd. You can get them for $.40 - $.50 or so with shipping.

thank you. can anyone help me out with some websites for leds? i'm going with red and white.

lc-led.com sells red and white with a mcd of 350, but they are .75 and 1.35 each (too expensive and on top of that, there is a minimum you have to buy.)

mouser.com sells some too, but the highest mcd is 230, and they don't have white.

eled.com's highest mcd is 300 for red and their white is only 150.

any help??

I keep the same specs as LC-LED around for the mods I do, and will usually part with them for about 1/3 of LC-LEDs cost if I have what you need in stock. If not, you can check out http://stores.ebay.com/HKJE-Led-Lamp-Center

It will take a couple of weeks to receive them, but they are priced well. PM me with the qty you need and I can try to help you out.

I keep the same specs as LC-LED around for the mods I do, and will usually part with them for about 1/3 of LC-LEDs cost if I have what you need in stock. If not, you can check out http://stores.ebay.com/HKJE-Led-Lamp-Center

It will take a couple of weeks to receive them, but they are priced well. PM me with the qty you need and I can try to help you out.

PMed you.

i've got a good one for all of you that have done white(as it's the only color effected by this)...

http://www.l337server.com/images/guages.jpg

for whatever reason on the speedometer guage face, the kilometers: 20, 40, 60, 80, 160, 180, 200, 220 have a white paint applied to them(so far noticed on 05 and 06). Any particular reason for this? Because when used in combination with white LEDs it gives them a nasty tint, where as kilometers: 0, 100, 120, and 140, are perfectly fine. Should the white paint just be scraped off?

neah.. it's probably there to help reflect the light inside there.

i usually just deal with that small imperfection.

but it drives me soooo crazy haha

is there a non do it yourslef kit meaning a kit that a shop can do ?

It is the same kit as you would purchase. But be sure that the shop is experienced in board level soldering and not just stereo installs and such to ensure you get good quality work. If you have any questions about the mods, feel free to pm and I can help out.

hey will i be able to do this on a 2008 tc cluster?

yes.

great write up. you said that u were using a 1x16 socket to take the place of the LCD on the mounting board. do you by any chance remember the dimension, specs of it and where you got it? i would hate to solder and desolder it again at a later date if i have to change any LEDs. thanks for your help!

huh?

he did that because he broke the LCD.. something you DON'T wanna do..

u can try putting a frosted clear tape on the backside of the needle or just rough it up to make it frosted if you want the light to reflect. give you a semi clear look during the day, and a glowing needle in the color of your LED at night. just a thought.

if i put white LEDs in my gauge, is there anyway to make the needle glow a different color WITHOUT painting them?

if i put white LEDs in my gauge, is there anyway to make the needle glow a different color WITHOUT painting them?

put a colored film at the back of the needle (yea the one they use on two toned color work)

if i put white LEDs in my gauge, is there anyway to make the needle glow a different color WITHOUT painting them?

put a colored film at the back of the needle (yea the one they use on two toned color work)

thanks man. It's just that I remember someone was selling intelliglow before LED mods even existed. what you do is put 3 cellphone size LEDs behind the needle 's pivot point so the light will shine into the needle and travel down to the tip. the needle not only changes in color, it GLOWS brightly. this is what I want to do. I just don't think putting a colored film will be bright enough to make them glow.

http://www.bee.net/a2low240/gauges/Intellic1.jpg

yea, change color but not really glow.. ask engifineer he has done it by putting more leds at the back using another circuit.

Like this?

http://scionpix.com/gallery2/gallery/download/3162-1/Blue_Red_Daves_0198.png

Or more like this

http://scionpix.com/gallery2/gallery/download/3172-1/Color+Changing+Needles_002.png

Video of that one changing color
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/engifineer/Dkillaz/th_Dkillaz_003.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y111/engifineer/Dkillaz/?action=view&current=Dkillaz_003.flv)

yea yea like that.. :clap:
i found it to be useful when you're driving in a bright sunny day and suddenly you pass underneath a freeway, ramp or tunnel or something and suddenly get dark and your gauges will be so hard to see but then your bright needle is there telling u were you are. :P

Yep, I prefer to have the needle lit all the time, regardless of whether the lights are on. Really stands out during the day.

Hey engi I have a question for you.
you did my blue lights and blue needle job in 06 (looks great still) but my needles stop turning over when you first start the car. do you know how to troubleshoot this?

^^ http://home.cfl.rr.com/icdedppl/faq.html#c9

YEY it worked thanks bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no prob.

i just finally finished up my install. it took me forever to get this sucker working but finally everything works. this is some really tedious work and takes some basic skills to solder those tiny m&m mini sized leds. this is what my guages turned out to look like...

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb137/vang2k/IMG_3845.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb137/vang2k/IMG_3849.jpg

looks awesome!

Good work!

nice, now Im pretty sure you're proud of yourself after everything. good job

Ordered some LED's from www.garage1217.com and put them in today. I put in all white except for the LCD screen and the fuel indicator which i made Red to match the interior lighting of my tC. I also did the two tone look with the red vinyl sheets. Very happy with the outcome. novice at soldering but i was still able to do this project wihtout any mistakes. The picture makes it look a little pink but its not. The screen looks orange in the pic but its really a bright red.
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii297/leggsbro/P2080143.jpg

Wow, Leggsbro, nice job! I just ordered my stuff from Jeremy last night, so I hope to be doing the same project soon!

Congrats on a nice swap!

Have a great weekend,
-Radar

Does anyone have any pictures of what the *back* of the gauge faces look like after they put on the colored vinyl? Especially if anyone did a two-tone or two-color gauge face using the vinyl. I'm curious how people got the strips cut so they don't noticibly overlap.

For instance, if you're doing like Leggsbro above, how do you get the red vinyl tape all the way around the outer perimeter of the gauge face? I assume it's by cutting little strips and lining them all up side-to-side. Is there any overlap, though?

Thanks!
-Radar

I know the stuff I get comes in sheets. Rather than using strips, you can just cut out a piece that covers the area you need and stick it on.

The stuff I got came in sheets. I just put the guage over a light and placed the vinyl on top and traced where i needed to cut on the sheet of vinyl.

Yep, thats the way to do it. Cut out the parts you DONT want covered rather than cutting little peices of film to cover what you do need.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/P2100249.jpg

hands a little shaky there? :silly:

no it was -18 out side lol here a little better
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/a.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/b.jpg
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/d.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/th_justneddle.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/?action=view&current=justneddle.flv)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/th_lightson.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z185/tsmnitti/?action=view&current=lightson.flv)

It was -12 or so when we installed them again as well :P But at least you could pull into the heated garage, that was a life saver!

Have your friend just contact me at my email address when she is ready as well Terry. I am getting a lot of requests lately, but I will get it fit in asap!

And just to bring it up so people notice it... I list my stuff on DoctorIsotope.com, but I am not doc. I get a lot of shifter kit requests, and he gets a lot of led swap requests :P So for those that go there, be sure to click on my email address rather than the contact link through the site.

Hey Terry, mind sending me those vids and pics? I would like to use them on my spot on docs site...

For real that is carzy thet anyone has the time to do this

it took me about an hour - an hour and a half to do just the gauges in my car. given, I messed everything else up ;p

everything being my door controls and steering wheel controls...

but i guess thats what happens when you stay up til 7 am and let your friends help lol :silly:

i dont feel like reading through 28 pages of posts, so i'm going ot be annoying an re-ask. where's the best place to get the lights? how many do i need? and, how much do you think this will cost me?

i dont feel like reading through 28 pages of posts, so i'm going ot be annoying an re-ask. where's the best place to get the lights? how many do i need? and, how much do you think this will cost me?

From the initial post:

12) If you just want to change the illumination of the gauge cluster, you will have to change 14 LEDs. 2 for the gas gauge, 2 for the temperature gauge, 5 for the speedometer, 2 for the LCD panel, and 3 for the tachometer. The LEDs are PLCC2 sized. You can find them at any electronics supply house. I personally bought mine from www.mouser.com. Look for LEDs that have a luminous flux (brightness) of more than 100 mcd. Otherwise, your gauge cluster will look dim.

Also, personally, I bought my LED's from engifineer, and he also did my HVAC controls as well as my Steering Wheel and Door controls for me.

I believe Garage1217 does LED swaps, and I know there's someone else I'm forgetting but can't think of the name.

EDIT: Squallheart / LEDmod.com

I'm sure there's others

thank you for supporting my laziness. haha.

Sure, not much else to do in between calls here at work lol.

awesome how to

Keep in mind a couple of things:

As far as I know (at least checking previously) Mouser does not sell the correct LEDS. They are the right package (PLCC-2), but not the right brightness. Any of us that do swaps can sell them to you and they will be the right ones. I can be reached at engifineer@gmail.com

This writeup is correct for the gauges, but it was created when there was no mod out for the HVAC circuit, so the leds were extremely dim when you swapped them to blue, white or green. I later created a mod to correct this, which is written up in the tech section here. Be sure to go with the correct year model, as the parts and layout changed a bit in 2007. You will need a kit (nothing expensive, I can shoot you one in the mail for less than a trip to Quiznos :D ) to mod the circuit on the HVAC so they will be the same brighness as the gauges.

If you have questions, I am happy to help as well. Hit me up at my email address, since I watch it more closely than the various forum inboxes.

ohh.. to clarify. i support ledmod.com..
i however.. am not ledmod.com.. :P

rawr... sleepy... :yawn:

dont know if it has been asked,

i really want to do this my self (not to be cheap, LOL) but i would hate to part with my cluster/HVAC for a long time as this is my daily driver

im pretty confident i can pull this off, can anyone direct me to a diy on soldering LEDs and such, also recommend a place to buy a soldering iron that would work great for me!

thanks in advance!

There are plenty of writeups in the tech section here on doing it. Dont use the HVAC mod portion of this writeup, as it will come out extremely dim. This is before I finished the mod for the hvac circuit that you need to do to correct that. You will need the HVAC kit along with the leds.

Hit me up at engifineer@gmail.com and I can give you all the info you need, sell you the parts (At the cheapest price of anyone I know besides buying in bulk) do the work if needed, etc. If you just need info on how to do it I can help there as well.

i was looking for a blue and white scheme for the gauge cluster. Which leds would I have to change to get that two-tone look?

For a two tone, if it includes different color for the lines, hash marks and numbers, you will want to use all white leds and apply a blue film to the backs of the gauge faces where you want the blue to be. If you want to order the parts or just want ,more info, email me at engifineer@gmail.com

I have a question for people who use the translucent vinyl/film for the multi-tone effects. During the day when the dash lights are off, are the numbers/gauges still easy to read? Normally, during the day they have a pretty good contrast with the silver gauge face and the darkened lettering (if you turn on the lights the orange is hard to see during the day). Was just wondering if the film will affect this.

Also, when changing the colors for the LCD display, is it possible to use white LEDs with a colored film there as well? (I've never looked at how an LCD is lit before) Would the film overheat and melt? I just ask because I'm not exactly sure how I want the color setup to be, and I figure it would be easier to just apply white LEDs everywhere and adjust the colors with different colored film instead of having to soder on new LEDs every time.

Anyone?

I have a question for people who use the translucent vinyl/film for the multi-tone effects. During the day when the dash lights are off, are the numbers/gauges still easy to read? Normally, during the day they have a pretty good contrast with the silver gauge face and the darkened lettering (if you turn on the lights the orange is hard to see during the day). Was just wondering if the film will affect this.

Also, when changing the colors for the LCD display, is it possible to use white LEDs with a colored film there as well? (I've never looked at how an LCD is lit before) Would the film overheat and melt? I just ask because I'm not exactly sure how I want the color setup to be, and I figure it would be easier to just apply white LEDs everywhere and adjust the colors with different colored film instead of having to soder on new LEDs every time.

Good questions. I did the swap myself in August '08 with no professional experience. I just did the gauges and plan to do the HVAC in the next couple of weeks. Here are my responces to your questions.

1) The lighting during the day. When it is day time, you will still have a obvious contrast between the silver panel and the black "light area". It will still be dark and allow enough contrast to see. There will basically be no noticable change during the day time.

2) I didn't do a film over the LCD. I just did white LEDs for the major gauges, and blue LEDs for the LCD section. I like the look of the blue LEDs in there. I didn't use the polarized film either. I am very satisfied with my choice. I doubt that the film will melt, but I don't know for sure. I say this because it doesn't melt when it is over the white LEDs in the gauge section. I used different colors throughout the gauge section. Also, the LEDs aren't supposed to get warm at all (I believe). You probably would be okay if this is the approach you wanted to take.

Note: There is a clear distinction between a blue LED and a white LED with a blue film. So consistancy helps out a lot here.

Let me know if you have any more questions, I'll try to help. (Again, I am not a professional, I just happened to get mine to work :P )

Also, when changing the colors for the LCD display, is it possible to use white LEDs with a colored film there as well? (I've never looked at how an LCD is lit before) Would the film overheat and melt? I just ask because I'm not exactly sure how I want the color setup to be, and I figure it would be easier to just apply white LEDs everywhere and adjust the colors with different colored film instead of having to soder on new LEDs every time.
It will not melt them, since LED does not get hot..

But it's better to use blue LED if you want the LCD to light up blue..
Anytime you use filter over the white LED, it will reduce the brightness and some time it washes out the color a little...
So you don't get the nice bright blue with white LED with blue filter...
But using white LED with filter won't be a problem...

Thank you both for your replies! :)

Did you have to replace any of the resistors on the HVAC/Gauge cluster? If not, can you give me a link to the actual LED type that you use in your led exchange?

well I cracked my LCD. Are there any sources for these, or are we stuck with buying a new hvac cluster still?

well I cracked my LCD. Are there any sources for these, or are we stuck with buying a new hvac cluster still?
LCD is not sold seperatley..

Only way to get that replacement is getting the whole unit from like junk yard..
Or if someone has spare unit that wants to part it out..

ugh. It seems odd that there's no source for that piece alone. Oh well.

ugh. It seems odd that there's no source for that piece alone. Oh well.
Try eBay.

good idea, thanks LEDmod. I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew for this project.

good idea, thanks LEDmod. I seem to have bitten off more than I can chew for this project.
Yes, sometime soldering can be flustrating..
So it's better to leave it to the professional...
Don't make it worst then it is... :P
I had customers messed up the board and sent it to me for repair..
They end up spending more then what I normally charge for installation..
But I can pretty much repair most of the problem, so far there were no problem that I wasn't able to repair...

I think the best thing I can do is take a step back from the project and take a deep breath. Especially since the LCDs aren't available separately, which makes for very expensive mistakes. Maybe I'll save my pennies up and let one of the pros do it.

Maybe I should stick to the nuts and bolts for now. Getting pretty good at that stuff.

I think the best thing I can do is take a step back from the project and take a deep breath. Especially since the LCDs aren't available separately, which makes for very expensive mistakes. Maybe I'll save my pennies up and let one of the pros do it.

Maybe I should stick to the nuts and bolts for now. Getting pretty good at that stuff.
You can probably get replacement HVAC from eBay for like $80

But if are still not sure about installing yourself, I can install it for you... or clean up your soldering while at it and replace the LCD screen..
So you don't have to go buy whole unit...

I installed the illumation leds on the gauge. but it wond turn on. when i plug the gauge, the leds all light up at the same time just for a second, then it wont turn on at all. do i need to buy some resistors for that? is it requied???

can somebody help me. i installed my LEDs for the gauge on my tc but i need the arrow directions for the fuel/temp gauge. please hepl asap....

i dont know... are the led sizes plcc2 or 1206?

Scion tC : Gauge Cluster LED Conversion Installation Guide
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=213205 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=213205)

Scion tC : HVAC / Climate Control LED Conversion Guide
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2676511 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2676511)

Scion tC : Stock Radio LED Conversion Installation Guide
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3834265 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3834265)

Scion tC : Custom Gauge Face 05 and up
http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=43 (http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=43)

Scion tC : Center Tach Conversion Guide
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2658576 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2658576)

Scion tC : Reverse LCD Conversion Guide using new film
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3238832 (http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=3238832)

Scion tC : LED Conversion Kit Ordering Page
http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=29_9 (http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=29_9)

i dont know... are the led sizes plcc2 or 1206?
PLCC 2
http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=47

PLCC 2
http://store.ledmod.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=47
thanx

Did anyone ever figure out how to do purple lighting? Either purple (not UV) LEDs or white with film.

Yeah.. a long time ago :P

Use white leds and a purple translucent film.

There is no such thing as a "true" purple led. So, they make white leds with a purple tint on them, which are known to fade over time (just like pinks) or UV leds, which are bad for your eyes and usually even have a warning on them to this point.

You apply the purple film to the parts of the gauge faces you want purple and use the white leds in place of the stocks.

White LED with purple filter will make the brightness dim..
First of all purple color aren't a bright color...

Yeah.. a long time ago :P

Use white leds and a purple translucent film.

There is no such thing as a "true" purple led. So, they make white leds with a purple tint on them, which are known to fade over time (just like pinks) or UV leds, which are bad for your eyes and usually even have a warning on them to this point.

You apply the purple film to the parts of the gauge faces you want purple and use the white leds in place of the stocks.

Sorry, I'm a newbie :icon_biggrin:

That sucks that the purple fades b/c my guess is that it would turn pink and I freakin hate pink...I suppose that I should go with blue. Enginfineer, are you still doing LED swaps? What do you charge?

I did this...gauges look sick...but then cracked my hvac and had to purchase another....$$$ then sent it to someone to change the colors...what a pain. bit its sweet looking!! totally worth it in the end.

and people keep wondering why there are people that do this professionally.. lol

you gotta be careful man!

is there anyone in san diego that can change out the gauge cluster/ middle console on a 2005 scion tc? let me know. email me

nice write up, i been deciding what led to go with and the i would probably go with the same red led, thanks for the good instruction