Bloodborn

I put together a tutorial on the LED swap. I think its pretty intense, check it out and let me know what you think. It is hosted from my website because it seemed a little big for the forum.

Feedback is welcomed, enjoy and happy modding.

http://www.sickstick.com/Downloads/2...ntCLEDSwap.pdf

joshuabowman

iTrader: (2)

Very nice, i'm still looking to do my first one. great job!!

Superpickel

Good write up. Pictures could be a little clearer as some are a little fuzzy, but spot on about everything. I know that you mention you are using a cordless soldering iron, but be sure to mention to with all soldering irons, the wattage should be around 15watts for amatuer users. Great care and skill are needed if using higher wattage irons. As you mention in the write up, they can potentially burn through the LEDs.

MightyP

iTrader: (1)

Wow, you've given me hope for LED swapping! 14 LEDs isn't nearly as bad as I was thinking it would be.

Two things:

1. I would put a caution or something in your write up about re-installing the needles. I only say this because I didn't realize my needles were installed wrong when I first tore my dash apart and my rpms were way off.

2. You said the circuit board has marking for the current, do the LEDs have markings too?

Between you and SquallHeart, we really have LED swaps down. Great write up!

Papa_Bear

I love this! Great job on filling us in with this

Bloodborn

I did some correcting added the suggestions this far.

Bloodborn

Here is a tutorial I put together to change your clock display on your 2011 Scion tC!

Feedback is welcomed, enjoy and happy modding. I know I plug my company in it but seriously, it was an enormous PITA finding these things.

http://sickstick.com/Downloads/2011S...ockLEDSwap.pdf

rAaR

awesome and very detailed, i love it

now i see you have a red on the site, anyway to get pics of a stock and ur red side by side?

Bloodborn

sure I'll have ya a pic tomorrow

Superpickel

@Mighty

The best thing to do is to look closely at the LEDs already on the PCB (printed circuit board). In one corner of the LED, there will be a small corner that looks indented. Here is a pic of one.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...1t:429,r:2,s:0

Notice, the indentation. The new LEDs you order will appear the same. Keep that notch in the same location when resoldering. So if the indentation is in the bottom left when taking the old LED off, put the new LED down with the indentation on the bottom left.

Make sense? Or should I explain a little more?

MightyP

iTrader: (1)

Wow, finally someone to give Papa Bear a run for his "How to Install" money!!!

Great on both of you!

BTW, you take custom color requests?

MightyP

iTrader: (1)

^ Ahh... Makes sense. I'm a little slow sometimes.

Superpickel

No problem. And I would also suggest before you screw the gauges back to the dash and reinstall everything that you plug the harness into the back of the gauges to test the lights. If one does not light up, just flip it. But all notches should be in the same area.

Also, the 14 LEDs that he is talking about only changes the color of light around the needles. If you wanted to do all of the light indicators (turn signals, cel, bright lights...) you will need more LEDs.

Bloodborn

Depends on the color what are you looking for?

Bloodborn

Yeah didn't go through all of the, I changed my traction control off light green lol, now I need to change out the VSC light from amber to green. Also I changed my turn signals to white...which I don't suggest since they are extremely bright...but I like the way it looks.

Ohh yeah definitely test it, one thing to be sure of is to not push the needles too far down because they get stuck on the black cover, it makes you think you fried something when it happens.

SquallLHeart

great writeup! hey.. it's a LCD, not LED display! well.. LCD with an LED backlight.. lol

i had wanted to make a video, but I was pushing so quick to be the first person to swap a 2nd gen and get photos of it up online... i was unable to put up any DIY.

for the most part, the process hasn't changed.. only difference is number of LEDs and disassembling the car (which like every other scion.. comes apart like legos).. at that point.. there wasn't much need to post one up.

thanks for putting this together though! certainly a nice effort and i'm sure people uncomfortable at just yanking away at the legofied interior will feel more better knowing.. yes! you can just yank this part and that.. and it comes out. LOL.

hope you don't mind. i merged both your topics together to make it somewhat easier to keep track.. being together, yanno.

Papa_Bear

If he was closer I would make a video with him on this!

Bloodborn

Sweet thanks for merging the two I'll prolly have the hvac tutorial to go with it next week.

The odometer is an LCD display with led back lighting. The clock is a 8 segment LED display. Actually called a vacuum florescent display.

SquallLHeart

ahh.. that's right. it's called a VFD (which yes.. is cheap as hell to make and produce)...
i got it confused as even more older styles used EL

XerotC

dude, thanks for taking the time man. this is great stuff!