21 replies to this topic

[JZBOSS]

Ok so yesterday people requested for a diy on how to change your cluster illumination so here it is.

The tools you'll need are:
- wire cutters
- wire strippers
- heat shrink tubing/electrical tape (prefer heat shrink as its stronger)
- lighter
- Drill with a 3-5mm drill piece
- flat head screw driver
- phillips head screw driver
- soldering iron
- solder
- brain
- slight knowledge on soldering will also help you get this done alot nicer


First off buy yourself a cold cathode. 280-330mm should be sufficient. I used a aerpro one that i bought from super shit auto and it works fine, has lasted for almost 6 monthes now


first things first. disconnect the negative terminal. be safe =]



from here take the ignition barrel and centre console surround off


now undo the 2 screws which hold the cluster trim on


now undo the 4 screws holding the actual cluster in place.

unplug the 4 plugs at the back of the cluster to free it


from here take the tinted shroud off by using the flat head screw drivers to undo the clips holding it. 4 on the top 3 at the bottom i think


once that is done you will find the matte black shroud, undo the one screw holding this shroud in place


remove the matte black shroud with the same method used when taking the tinted shroud off


once thats done turn it over and undo the screws holding the dials. To take the tacho off i found that using the flat head to pry it out was easiest just be gentle



from there you will be greeted with the cathode. Mine snapped so i cut mine off at the end of the plastic piece shown above. I chose to keep the plastic piece as it has rubber supporters to hold the cathode in place


drill a hole on the right top corner so that you can pass the wire through. IF it is too hard, cut between the transformer and the cathode, pass the wire through then re-connect them. as long as you connect them back properly there should be no problems.

Once that is done its just the matter of putting the cluster back together, put the cluster back in, passing the wire through to the centre console *you'll need to remove your stereo and climate control bracket to do this* and wire it up to the cigarette lighter wires which i believe are pink and white/black.


marvel at your new colour =D

if there are any other questions by all means ask me, ill be happy to assist in any way

[R5169]

nice guide! while you're there you should yank out all the snow and TCS shit

[JZBOSS]

the globes? i don't mind having it coz they both turn on when i turn the immobiliser off so its kinda of a indicator to say its unlocked.

[Guybob]

champion effort mate, love it.

[7shades]

I don't suppose you have any pics of the rear of the tach/speedo? I'm interested to see if there's scope there to mount a contrasting LED for the needles.

[JZBOSS]

7shades, on 23 May 2011 - 07:20 PM, said:

I don't suppose you have any pics of the rear of the tach/speedo? I'm interested to see if there's scope there to mount a contrasting LED for the needles.

ill take one for you 2moro =]

[7shades]

JZBOSS, on 23 May 2011 - 07:27 PM, said:

ill take one for you 2moro =]

Awesomepants.

[stenve]

7shades, on 23 May 2011 - 07:53 PM, said:

Awesomepants.

Haha!

How would a strip of led's go instead of the cathode? Provide enough light?

Could run a controller off the LEDs to change colour have dim settings etc.

Bit more costly though

[JZBOSS]

From what i know theres no led spaces. The red dials i think are done by actually colouring the dials itself

[stenve]

What I mean is buy an led strip (length of LEDs connected eg 300mm) and they could be powered by the 12v running into the current inverter in the dash.

Saves drilling a hole.

Only thing I'm not sure of is will the LEDs provide/direct enough light to have nice solid illumination.

Also I dare say you'd be able to run the new cathode with the inverter in the dash. Saves running etc cables and drilling holes etc.

I might try the led thing on mine and post the results. I'll post link to led strips I'm talking about tomorrow.