Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB

Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/index.php)
-   DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=43)
-   -   DIY - Gauge Cluster LED swap (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58207)

DustinS 08-25-2014 10:01 AM

The holes in that needle that was pulled apart is from two plastic tabs. I just cut the lip off with an exacto knife. I then used a very fine flat head to carefully pry the black cover (the small one keeping the needle on the big black piece) off. Then after you finish stripping and painting(I painted the bottom flat white, though I did also buy gloss white, and silver) the needles, you insert them back into the casing(take note as the clear plastic of the needles are thin and flex a lot, they might be easy to break). Then put the black cover back over the clear part and eight use the soldering iron the melt the cover to the remaining black tab to keep it closed, or there might be enough of a lip to just snap it back on.

I am thinking about buying another gauge cluster from eBay and making a very detailed video. I didn't this last time because I started working on it last minute and was kinda rushing to get it done.

Edit: I wonder how pink would look... I think purple wouldn't be too bad.

bren5279 08-28-2014 09:44 AM

Does the spectral angles of the LEDs effect it at all?
@DustinS which LEDs did you end up using since it sounds like you changed it for the right lumen rating? Also the display LEDs since it sounds like you changed it?

DustinS 08-28-2014 10:39 AM

All the blue LED's were: Blue LED @ Mouser

I just changed what I wanted Blue. Everything works right, and it is really growing on me. I even found gauges to match:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...b5ea57535f8eb2

bren5279 08-28-2014 06:38 PM

In the interest of picking the right LED's did anyone ever check what voltage was across them? and/or know the OEM led lumen ratings?

Top-Secret 09-20-2014 01:21 PM

Well thats a piss off. I ordered the wrong LEDs. The ones i got are tiny!

PhoKingCool 09-21-2014 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustinS (Post 1913281)
Got it somewhat done. The vinyl isn't as nice/is a bit too dark for my liking. So that will most likely be removed. I am going to replace the white LED's for something the same lumins as the Blue so they dim just about the same. I still need to try the shift light. I think it would work better with white needles as the red should make the needles super red. They are going to turn purple now haha. I am also going to change the red warning lights(except oil) to blue, and the amber to white.

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...69188591_o.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...83029505_n.jpg

This IMO, is the best looking setup so far!

iniguez310 09-21-2014 02:56 PM

Got this done yesterday and today as i was driving I noticed that the mps needle doesnt move, at idle the RPM guage reads 0 and my gas needle is a little off. I did follow the instructions with marking the position of the needles. Any suggestions on what i can do when reassembling it again?? Going to pop it off during the week.

CJBRZ 09-21-2014 11:26 PM

Has anyone tried to change the LEDS on the OEM head unit in the brz? I have a series.blue and I want to change all of the LEDS to blue including the ones in the head unit.

DustinS 09-22-2014 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJBRZ (Post 1955842)
Has anyone tried to change the LEDS on the OEM head unit in the brz? I have a series.blue and I want to change all of the LEDS to blue including the ones in the head unit.

I know @Acree has changed his over. I haven't had the time to open up the stock headunit yet, but I plan on it.

CJBRZ 09-22-2014 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustinS (Post 1956196)
I know @Acree has changed his over. I haven't had the time to open up the stock headunit yet, but I plan on it.

Yeah I saw, but I guess he's banned. Do let me know how it goes if you get to it before me, I'll probably do my car in stages depending on how long it takes. I was going to put blue foot well lights in this weekend when I realized it wouldn't look that great with all the red LEDs at night.

Pwolf 09-23-2014 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJBRZ (Post 1955842)
Has anyone tried to change the LEDS on the OEM head unit in the brz? I have a series.blue and I want to change all of the LEDS to blue including the ones in the head unit.

I replaced my headunit so I don't need to do this but I was curious...

It seems pretty simple. There are 10 clips along the sides that hold the plastic face plate and underlying circuits. Be gentle as you take it apart is there is a single ribbon cable the attaches the faceplate boards to the rest of the unit.

You shouldn't have to disconnect this, just place a small towel down on the exposed side of the head unit after you've taken off the face place and then flip the plate over to set it down to work on. This will help protect the screen.

Next there are two main boards. The large one has one single LED in the corner and the smaller board contains the rest of the goodies. The LEDs are pretty small but you might be able to get away with using the PLCC2's.

Here's a picture of the underside of the faceplate:

http://www.pwolfamv.com/other/20140922_205919.jpg

I've circled the screws that need to be removed. I only took the large board off to take a quick look to see if there was anything else under there. You have to unplug 4 of the ribbon cables and make sure you reconnect them after you're done. These have simple locking actions so you just need to gently release the locks by pushing them away from the base and the ribbon cable will slip out easily. To lock the cable back in, make sure the cable is in as far as it can go and then push the locking piece back towards the base of the connector. A bit of work for one LED but not that bad.

As mentioned, I didn't look at the smaller board. I don't have my smaller screwdriver set readily available but if you want me to take that apart and take a pic, I can do it tomorrow after work.

DustinS 09-23-2014 12:15 PM

I'll dig into mine tonight(Hopefully not destroying it) and get some picture up. Thanks for leading the way.

CJBRZ 09-23-2014 03:37 PM

Thanks guys that would be very helpful.

DustinS 09-24-2014 03:26 AM

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...97&oe=57713F24

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...df&oe=5739BC0F

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...5b&oe=572F899F

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...42638977_o.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...82113937_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...99337795_o.jpg

Mind you I have an FR-S that is why the board is different. I would not recommend this to anyone that isn't confident in their soldering skills. They are extremely small LED's and very easy to burn up/lose.(Size comparison next to a PLCC-2 which is used in the gauge cluster) You will definitely want to order from somewhere Like Mouser. I found that my ebay LEDs had 2 different blue LEDs packaged together. So The color/intensity isn't dead set. Though it is very, very hard to tell. The amber buttons even came out blue, which I wasn't expecting.

I'll get the size in the morning, typing this from bed and really don't want to get up to check. :iono:


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