Cheap, fun interior mod

[BigCars4Ever]

I switched out all my interior lights to led. I have about $20 into it so far. I will document it as I go. Right now I am modifying the center overhead console. I replaced the lamps with LED bulbs but it wasn't quite bright enough. I am adding three discreete leds to each side and lining the upper portion of the bulb housing with aluminum tape to be sure all of the light makes it down into the car. Next I'm going to add lights to the rear foot wells by using a white drinking straw and two led's, one in each end. The straw makes a great diffuser to spread the light evenly on the floor. I need to find a rigid clear plasic tube to put the assembly in then tie wrap it to a bar that runs under the seat. Like I said, pics to follow.

[TAKEDOWN]

Sounds cool, can't wait to see the pics and results.

[Zack]

Teaser post + no pics = FAIL :D
Like having a giant rack in front of you and your hands are in cuffs :bigcry:

[fastblackmerc]

I switched out all my interior lights to led. I have about $20 into it so far. I will document it as I go. Right now I am modifying the center overhead console. I replaced the lamps with LED bulbs but it wasn't quite bright enough. I am adding three discreete leds to each side and lining the upper portion of the bulb housing with aluminum tape to be sure all of the light makes it down into the car. Next I'm going to add lights to the rear foot wells by using a white drinking straw and two led's, one in each end. The straw makes a great diffuser to spread the light evenly on the floor. I need to find a rigid clear plasic tube to put the assembly in then tie wrap it to a bar that runs under the seat. Like I said, pics to follow.

I also have replaced all the interior and exterior bulbs with LEDs or HID's (headlights). Much better than incandescent bulbs.

The LEDs I used in the F & R map lights and the makeup mirrors are too bright, almost have to wear sunglasses to use them.

[KillJoy]

Pics????

:dunno:

KillJoy

[STLR FN]

Teaser post + no pics = FAIL :D
Like having a giant rack in front of you and your hands are in cuffs :bigcry:
But you can use your mouth. :D

[KillJoy]

But you can use your mouth. :D


Mmmmmm.....tiggum sammich

:D

KillJoy

[offroadkarter]

I switched out all my interior lights to led. I have about $20 into it so far. I will document it as I go. Right now I am modifying the center overhead console. I replaced the lamps with LED bulbs but it wasn't quite bright enough. I am adding three discreete leds to each side and lining the upper portion of the bulb housing with aluminum tape to be sure all of the light makes it down into the car. Next I'm going to add lights to the rear foot wells by using a white drinking straw and two led's, one in each end. The straw makes a great diffuser to spread the light evenly on the floor. I need to find a rigid clear plasic tube to put the assembly in then tie wrap it to a bar that runs under the seat. Like I said, pics to follow.


You are doing EXACTLY what i want to do!


Let us know how it goes when its done, ill be watching! :banana:

[a_d_a_m]

yes, pictures please!
i have been thinking about interior lighting ideas for awhile now but i'm not smart or original enough to come up with my own ideas!

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Teaser post + no pics = FAIL :D
Like having a giant rack in front of you and your hands are in cuffs :bigcry:

But since there are no pics, its like being blindfolded as well, and only being able to hear the bouncy sound.

[magindat]

Teaser post + no pics = FAIL :D
Like having a giant rack in front of you and your hands are in cuffs :bigcry:

Get your a$$ over here and clean this coffee off my keyboard!!!

:laugh:

[BigCars4Ever]

I also have replaced all the interior and exterior bulbs with LEDs or HID's (headlights). Much better than incandescent bulbs.

The LEDs I used in the F & R map lights and the makeup mirrors are too bright, almost have to wear sunglasses to use them.

I've purchased the lamps from besthongkong.com. I went with less expensive lamps and are not that bright. What did you use?

[BigCars4Ever]

BTW no make up mirror change here. I don't think I have ever even opend them. They will stay.

[Architect]

I switched out all my interior lights to led. I have about $20 into it so far. I will document it as I go. Right now I am modifying the center overhead console. I replaced the lamps with LED bulbs but it wasn't quite bright enough. I am adding three discreete leds to each side and lining the upper portion of the bulb housing with aluminum tape to be sure all of the light makes it down into the car. Next I'm going to add lights to the rear foot wells by using a white drinking straw and two led's, one in each end. The straw makes a great diffuser to spread the light evenly on the floor. I need to find a rigid clear plasic tube to put the assembly in then tie wrap it to a bar that runs under the seat. Like I said, pics to follow.
You can get clear acrylic (hard plastic) tubes from any local supplier that makes acrylic display cases or deals in plastic tank construction....I agree with you the hard acrylic is the way to go...
The soft flexible is available at any hardware store as tubing/piping...
Architect

[fastblackmerc]

I've purchased the lamps from besthongkong.com. I went with less expensive lamps and are not that bright. What did you use?

www.superbriteleds.com

Not too expensive but good, brite LEDs and quick shipping.

[baltimoremm]

can you still use the interior dimmer? or will it damage the LED?

[BigCars4Ever]

As promissed here's some pics
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_10.jpg
You can see how bright it is in here.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_1.jpg
Another shot of the front. I had the brighter side emmiting leds in the footwells but decided to uswe them for the gauges. I may order the brighter bulbs again.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_2.jpg
Here's the back seat. I used the 8 led bulbs back here. I'm still working on some lights for the rear footwells.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_3.jpg
You can see how bright the lights are.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_4.jpg
Here's the front lights.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_6.jpg
Here's the wiring for the front light modification. Each side gets 2 30,000mcd leds for flood and one led in the hole of the reflector.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_9.jpg
Here's the inside. Notice the aluminum tape. Didn't want to waste any of the light!
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_8.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_7.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/LED_5.jpg

Here's the gauges. I used the side emmiting high power bulbs in here and they are plenty bright.

The bulbs for the rear lights
http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_65&products_id=634
The bulbs for the front lamps
http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_60&products_id=691
Lamps for the gauges and the front footwells
http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=10_60&products_id=525
Here's the loose led's I used for the front lamp.
http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=75_1_14&products_id=12

More to come!

[BigCars4Ever]

can you still use the interior dimmer? or will it damage the LED?
There is no interior light dimmer but you can dim the gauges. It doesn't hurt the led as far as I know.

[Black_Noise]

looks bright

[offroadkarter]

Awesome! :D

[TAKEDOWN]

Wow! Those are bright, now it'll really show how dirty my car is.

[fastblackmerc]

Looks good!

[ctrlraven]

Looks great, will have to check into that.

[BigCars4Ever]

More led fun. Tired of the crappy lights in the trunk. My engine bay lights have worked so well I decided to buy these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350102448523&ih=022&category=66954&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWL IST#LIST I will put these on the inside of the trunk lid so when the trunk is open they will shine overhead into the trunk. 5 of these should light it up pretty well.

[BigCars4Ever]

A reminder of that:
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/underhoodlights1.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/3/1/4/underhoodlights2.jpg