so there with be two more grey tab things all together?

 

In my case, there are three larger knobs for the main dash lighting, and many smaller ones for such things as signal lights, e-brake, etc..

You just have to twist those knobs a little and they will fall out easily and contain a bulb. From there, you can change the bulb in the grey knob and re-insert it.

 

Just a FYI...
I replaced my gauge lights with some cold cathodes, and other than some electromagnetic interference, they lit up fine with no problems for about 6 years. Then for some reason, on my way back from Mammoth about a week ago, the dash lights fuse blew when I was starting up my truck at a gas station after filling up. My check engine light was on, and I think that somehow overloaded the circuit. I still need to check for sure, but if you're using some type of auxiliary lighting, it might be good to consider running it off of a relay.

The bad part of the fuse blowing, other than none of the gauges working, is that the windows, A/C, and overdrive switch all seem to run off of the same circuit. So it was getting hot and stuffy, and the truck was revving high on the freeway

 

First post here fellas. I have been reading for awhile, but finally have a question.

I have a 2003 double cab Tacoma 2WD.

I replaced the bulbs behind the gauges without a problem with 5LED wedge based.

The HVAC control bulbs are a problem though. I ordered #74 LEDs like everyone said, but they will not fit.

There are three stock bulbs, but they have bases which hold them into the circuit board. The #74 LEDs don't have bases. superbrightleds.com have blubs with bases, but none match the stock ones.

Any suggestions?

 

Not sure what is in a tacoma, but it sounds like you're talking about neo-wedge bulbs. Check out autolumination.com and see if those are the right ones.

 

Has anyone got a pic of the instrument cluster opened up? I want to light the actual needles seperately (Like This), and am not sure what the end of the fuel/temperature needles are like?

But I really want to order the parts before I take it all apart!

I am thinking white LED backlighting (already ordered) and bright red needles

I'll post any info I learn.. I'll also be changing the background colour of my JDM Field monitor, so hopefully that will look good too!

 

Well its been a while now since I posted on here. But over the break (bout 2-3weeks ago) i did put in some new leds/lights. I did the 2 dome lights (rear seats and trunk. Also did the 2 leds in the climate control. 1 in the key ring and 2 in the blinkers.

I took out the green plastic because i didnt think it looked right with it on and put wax paper with scotch tape to keep it down over the led to dim it a bit. works great and it is bright.

Didnt have an extra led for the gear shifter + it was a different bulb then the 74. it was a Big one that you twist and put into there. So i painted it red with acrilic paint for now haha. Also i lost all the neowedges trying to put them in the a/c and other controls. there so small.. I have no clue how you guys got them in. I couldnt get them 2 twist and stay down.. so when i thought i had it i would turn the a/c control over and "drop" went the neowedge into all the wires and everything down there.

Maybe ill try again soon.
Class.

 

What's the word on the "Superstar 194" LED bulbs from Autolumination? Thinking about trying those out. Says they're made specifically for gauges.

http://autolumination.com/194.htm (4th one down)

Also, if you're not happy with the way the clock works, 1990-93 Integras have a similar sized clock that glows blue/white all the time instead of funky 80's green. I'm sure it could be adapted easily if it bothers you that much.

 

I did the led conversion to my '99 4runner and wanted to confirm what I used in order to help others...

All in super white from autolumination:

3x #24 for the gauges
4x #74 tri-power (2 for climate controls, 1 for key ring, 1 for shifter)
3x neo-wedge type a (for rear window, ECT/Rear defroster, A/C button)

I don't have any hot spots or dead spots, it is mostly even looking.. not perfect, but pretty good. It looks lexus like.

I did VERY carefully bend the three leds of the tri-power slightly outward to improve the light spread.

If you want to light the key ring you will need to slightly file or sand the base of the led socket so it will fit.

I decided to go back to the original green bulb on the key ring because the white was just too bright there, plus the green looked like a good "start engine" color.

I haven't figured out the cigarette lighter or ashtray lights yet.

 

The cigarette lighter and ashtray lights are both #74's.

 

74 for the shifter? I have a 99' also and it was a 194.

 

That's strange, I thought all 3rd Gen.'s used a #74 for the shifter.

 

my 74 bulb was loose as a motha, but i was able to get it in good enough to stay. i'm thinkin mine used a bigger bulb as the base of the factory one was much bigger.

 

Speaking of loose Sloan, I had two gauge bulbs burn out and they were 74's. So I figured I'd try some different bulbs from V-leds.com They were loose as hell, I had to put some tape around them to hold them in, but they are much brighter.

 

I'm pretty sure the shifter bulb is a 74 in every 3rd gen... it is in my '98. It was in a screw base, but still a 74.

 

I don't believe I've ever posted any pics since I got the LED neo-wedges in, but anyways here they are. Oh yeah, this isan't the camera I normally take pics with, my girlfriend has mine and this is my parents camera. So the photos are blurry as hell...

 

i see a few minor hot spots but they don't look too bad.

Overall looks great!

 

are you just running some like autozone led lights for under the dash brian?

 

Those are streetglow neon tubes, I actually got them from http://www.urban-neon-car-lights.com/

But I'm about to order some flexible LED strips from oznium.com

 

Well if you are changing them out anyways then get some million colors LED light kit like mine. They only cost a little more on ebay but look SO cool! Plus you can change colors if you should feel like it.

Mine only costed me like $50 off ebay. for 6 tubes and the control box.