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Map Light LED installation

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by doubletap, Mar 28, 2011.

  1. Mar 28, 2011 at 10:30 PM
    #1
    doubletap

    doubletap [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just finished installing my LED map and dome lights for my Taco. I searched around here before doing the install and couldn't find much on how to remove the map light bulb. Indeed they are a PITA to remove because you can't get enough grip on the tip of the bulb to remove it, however with the right method and tool you can get it out pretty darn easy.

    Here is how.

    1) Get a flat screw driver with a nice sharp edge.

    2) Next get painters tape (what I used) or electrical tape and wrap the end of the screw driver but be sure not to wrap too much or you won't have enough sharpness to pry into the edges to take the cover off.

    3) To pop the cover off, just find one of the edges that hold up the panel and pry under it and apply a little pressure and it will pop out. Do not worry about scratches because that is what the painters tape for. Once you pop the cover off it will look like this inside. Sorry for the bad picture....

    IMG_0118_aa846b591b51a9ff7a680c3122304caeaf8dfad8.jpg

    4) Now is the sort of the tricky part. What you will need to do is change to a smaller type of screw driver head. I changed to a 1/8 , and wrapped it around about 1 1/2 times with painters tape. You want to take the screw driver head above the chrome reflectors and apply pressure downwards against the bulb while tugging on it with the grip you can get with the other hand and it should pop right out. I used a flashlight to do it at night but i'm pretty sure you should be able to see it in the day better.

    IMG_0120_ff0688875adf8965921172b9418ca67b5cc298e1.jpg

    5) Put the bulb in (Sorry no pictures of that, its really straight forward. They go in the same way they come out.

    6) Put the cap on and your done.

    Dome Light-
    This is so easy it doesn't even need a DIY. All you need to do it take the painters taped screw driver head and find the prying clip mark. Get under with the screw driver and pry. Use force and it will come off, be sure not to pull so hard cause the other end has wiring attached along with a clip. Just be nice and easy.

    Here is the finished product
    IMG_0116_3c7964d25b6793a105a73fc2eef4e3d74afba88d.jpg
    IMG_0128_e9bc1f5e872847dd499ad4a3e0bdbd2cfdd50129.jpg
    IMG_0117_a853eb2933a30e0dd3f1905a190e2c353c4a6417.jpg
    IMG_0129_3759ea04f5cb6630c8b7cd56682ca11c77da51b2.jpg

    Lights Purchased from: http://www.superbrightleds.com/

    Map Lights - 2x WLED-x5 LED Wide Angle LED bulb (White) 194/168 Wedge Bulb

    Dome Light - 1x 4410-x9 LED Festoon bulb (White) 194/168 Wedge Bulb

    The lights match well in color and are bright enough. I like them because you won't blind your passengers and they look cool too.



    Good Luck all
     
  2. Apr 1, 2011 at 8:26 AM
    #2
    JLink

    JLink Well-Known Member

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    Lifted, Locked, Armored. Ready To Wheel.
    Did you do the map lights on with dome light mod too or are you still using the stock configuration? I want to swap to LEDs but I remember reading somewhere that if you have done the map lights with dome light mod, it makes it more complicated for led swap.

    Thanks for this thread, definitely helpful
     
  3. Apr 1, 2011 at 9:03 AM
    #3
    JLink

    JLink Well-Known Member

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    Just ordered mine! Didn't realize they were plug and play.. Can't be any easier!
     
  4. Apr 1, 2011 at 12:52 PM
    #4
    doubletap

    doubletap [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I did both. I started with the dome light first because its just 1 bulb, and then did the map lights.
     
  5. Apr 4, 2011 at 5:42 PM
    #5
    jtav2002

    jtav2002 Kenny Fuckin Powers

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    Nice write up. I chose to go the blinding method myself haha. Used the ultra thin flat LED light from Oznium. They are insanely bright and look awesome.
     
  6. Apr 4, 2011 at 8:44 PM
    #6
    MightyP

    MightyP Active Member

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    Air freshener, stale fries, car seats, diaper bag, etc
    LED light swaps are great, keep you from having to replace bulbs as often and give your ride a classier look (IMO)
     
  7. Apr 5, 2011 at 9:11 AM
    #7
    NLF

    NLF Well-Known Member

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    I installed the leds last night in my map lights and dome light. They are awesome, and look much classier than the old school bulbs.
     
  8. Jul 8, 2011 at 4:38 PM
    #8
    gatlin69

    gatlin69 Retired?

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    I just got mine in...so much better thanks happyb!!!

    Getting those map lights out were a huge pain in the ass.
     
  9. Jul 8, 2011 at 4:47 PM
    #9
    flyzeye designs

    flyzeye designs Revised Company Logo

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    I LIKE it!!! Nice information. Thanks!

    ...and all we came up with was:

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Jul 14, 2011 at 12:59 AM
    #10
    patwrik

    patwrik Well-Known Member

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    I just swapped my map lights and dome light as well. I also did the compass/temp fix.

    I found it easier to remove the overhead console and poke through the holes to pop the lense and bulb.
     
  11. Jul 14, 2011 at 1:27 AM
    #11
    motorsport36

    motorsport36 Black Lights Matter

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    nice subd for reference
     
  12. Aug 19, 2011 at 2:18 PM
    #12
    SalmonTaco

    SalmonTaco Well-Known Member

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    I changed mine this morning to the same ones from superbrightleds.com. The dome light was easy and the 44mm bulb fit ok, maybe a little too long. I then moved on to my map lights...

    After removing the lenses (I used a painter's tape wrapped small flat blade screwdriver - pry carefully from the side nearest the door) there sat the stock bulbs. After a bit of struggle I had an idea how to remove those bastards super easily and I guarantee it won't scratch up your plastic console...

    I peeled off about an inch of 2" wide painters tape, made a tiny tube that was about the diameter of the stock bulb, slid it over and yanked it right out. I had plenty of tape "tail" for me to pull the bulb out with ease.

    And I was very happy.
     
    wammer and VirusCage like this.
  13. Aug 28, 2011 at 6:02 PM
    #13
    vanzigler

    vanzigler Active Member

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    Hi how's it going? Which side did you put the flat head screwdriver on? The bulbs don't even look like bulbs. Are the plastic covers and bulbs easy to break?
     
  14. Aug 28, 2011 at 8:24 PM
    #14
    808TUNDA

    808TUNDA Well-Known Member

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    Insert the screwdriver from the sides facing the doors. So if you're sitting in your driver seat, insert the screwdriver on the left side of your left dome map, and right side on your right side dome map. There's a hinge on the inside of these lens so it's best to remove them this way. Putting them back on is just the reverse, insert hinge end first and just 'push' the other end back in till it clicks "on".
     
  15. Sep 26, 2011 at 5:21 PM
    #15
    payrow

    payrow Well-Known Member

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    I swapped out my dome light for an LED unit, but I noticed that the LED does not turn completely off when it should. Anyone know what's going on???
     
  16. Sep 27, 2011 at 1:21 PM
    #16
    flyzeye designs

    flyzeye designs Revised Company Logo

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    Sounds like Chris Angel is messing with you. :)
     
  17. Sep 27, 2011 at 1:26 PM
    #17
    tacoman15

    tacoman15 Boobies

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    It might be a faulty connection or bad bulb. not 100% sure but that is what it sounds like
     
  18. Oct 22, 2011 at 1:24 AM
    #18
    Opihiman10

    Opihiman10 Active Member

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    grrck likes this.
  19. Jul 29, 2012 at 3:19 PM
    #19
    Av8er

    Av8er Well-Known Member

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    Installed my new ones from LEDSolutions. Thanks to SalmonTaco's idea of using the painter's tape. Worked like a charm literally in seconds. I did the red dome and two white maps. Pic's under my profile and soon on my "build" link.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. Sep 26, 2012 at 3:33 PM
    #20
    WebRat

    WebRat Active Member

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    Removed badges, Tinted windows, Tube steps, Leveling lift, Brush Guard.
    Just did the license plate lights, dome light and map lights with cool white from superbrightleds, fast 2 day shipping.

    2012 Tacoma Sport.

    Dome Light 578 replaced with 4410-CW9 (9-LED) Festoon Bulb. Looks maybe a little brighter and it's a little big but fits and works just fine.

    Map Lights 168 replaced with WLED-CW5 (5-LED) 194 Wedge Base. Again looks a little brighter. Thanks for the video and the idea about the painters tape, came right out and didn't need to pry on the back of it.

    License Plate Lights 168 replaced with WLED-W-120 194 (Single LED) Wedge Base. With only one LED I don't think there is going to be any difference in brightness other than a more white light than yellowish.

    Good post, thanks.
     

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