5 questions about my dash/gauge/switch/climate control lights

So I just got my LED gauge cluster kit from some new "company" on ebay. I just got my kit yersterday, and all it included was 13 LED's and a few pieces of paper printed on a home computer in black/white with the pics from the only DIY thread I've seen. These are the exact instruction I got. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180314
I'm assuming that Tacoma owner is the owner of this "company." Either way, this DIY is very unclear at times. I don't know how to remove my gauges, or what the other LED's control, or where this 11's LED's that he talks about should go. So hee are my questions:

1. Are there any other DIY threads on this or does anybody know where to find a diagram for all the LED's on the gauge cluster?
I want to be more sure of what I'm doing before I start. Plus, I want to change my headlight light, the cruise control light, and maybe some other ones.
2. How do I remove my gauge cluster from my truck?
Again, I want to know what I'm doing before I start unscrewing stuff.
3. Are there any good ways to remove all the small, dirt scratches on the gauge lenses?
Dusty, desert air does wonders on clear plastic.
4. Is there a way to change the light color of the climate control's and other accessories? (A/C controls, clock, fog light switch)
I'm going to be very happy once I have this mod done, but it's still going to look weird with all the other orange accessory lights. I'm asked a few people about this and have gotten different answers every time. I just want to change the orange to either blue, red, or maybe white.
5. And lastly, is there supposed to be a light behind my RR DIFF LOCK switch?
Last weekend I was out on a run in Ocatillo and when we got back, there was a back-light behind my fog light switch. I know it was never on before. So my truck fixes itself, but did it fix everything? Is there supposed to be a light behind my locker switch?


Thank you for all your help. And if anybody can help me do my gauge cluster, please let me know.

 

To answer most of your questions.SEARCH.As for the scratchs there is a buffing compound of some sort for that at most auto parts stores.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/57782-how-do-i-remove-gauge-cluster.html

 

If they sent you to the DIY on TN, the first link in that DIY article was a link showing you how to remove the cluster.

Question 4 can also be found using the search function (I know it's been covered over on TN, and I assume it's been covered here too).

 

1. Are there any other DIY threads on this or does anybody know where to find a diagram for all the LED's on the gauge cluster?
I want to be more sure of what I'm doing before I start. Plus, I want to change my headlight light, the cruise control light, and maybe some other ones.

Its pretty easy to tell which led lights up what once you get the gauges open. You can order extra LEDs from Oznium.

2. How do I remove my gauge cluster from my truck?
Again, I want to know what I'm doing before I start unscrewing stuff.

There is a tutorial on my website. But, I dont remove the entire lower piece. To do this you will need to pull off the foot rest on the floor. then unscrew the little plastic nut thing holding the kick panel. then remove the door sill panel and the kick panel. then you can remove the two bolts holding the bottom part of the lower panel. then follow my tutorial. I plan to update my tutorial soon to include these steps.

3. Are there any good ways to remove all the small, dirt scratches on the gauge lenses?
Dusty, desert air does wonders on clear plastic.

I use Mcguires plastx. It can be found at just about any auto parts store.

4. Is there a way to change the light color of the climate control's and other accessories? (A/C controls, clock, fog light switch)
I'm going to be very happy once I have this mod done, but it's still going to look weird with all the other orange accessory lights. I'm asked a few people about this and have gotten different answers every time. I just want to change the orange to either blue, red, or maybe white.

You cannot change the climate controls easily. The orange is coated on the plastic on the front then covered with the silver. To change it you will need to completely sand down the face of the climate controls and then repaint the icons back onto it and repaint the silver. one guy over at TN tried and it turned out bad. But, you can change it to Red. The orange is a filter. It only allows yellow and red light through. Yellow and red makes orange. But, if you only have red light from behind then it will allow the red through and it will look red. Mine is red. but, i also did a fully custom red LED array inside to light it up. The clock can be changed. It required pulling off the plastic face plate. Then sanding the back of it to remove the orange. Then you need some sort of material to color it again. The clock underneath is a VFD display (think 1980s VCR). It glows a very light greenish color. Im still trying to find something that effectively changes it to blue without keeping an element of green. The overhead clock is the same. I havnt determined wether the VFD is orange or if the orange is in the plastic cover. But for me it didnt matter. I changed mine to red. The steering wheel controls are the same kind of LEDs as the cluster. The drivers window switch and the passenger airbag lights are a combo of 3mm and 5mm through hole LEDs. but they can all be replaced with 5mm LEDs.

5. And lastly, is there supposed to be a light behind my RR DIFF LOCK switch?
Last weekend I was out on a run in Ocatillo and when we got back, there was a back-light behind my fog light switch. I know it was never on before. So my truck fixes itself, but did it fix everything? Is there supposed to be a light behind my locker switch?

Not sure on this one. I dont have a locker. I will have to double check my Fog light switch. but i dont remember it being lit.

 

for the scratches, toothpaste works wonders...it's a slight abrasive

 

PreRunnerSeth: Lot's of information. Very helpful. Thank you. Most of it went over my head though. I'm going to have to read it a few more times. Haha. Is it ok if I pm you with any more questions?

Hahahaha. That's awesome. Any type that works best? Or just the regular white stuff?

 

2 more questions.
1. What exactly is the door buzzer?
I plan on taking it out while I have my gauges out, but I don't know what I'm looking for.
2. Can I make the gear-select lights (the ones on the dash, not the actual shifter) blue also or do they have to stay orange/red because of the needle color?

 

It can all be changed. See my website for some pictures.

 

I've looked at your site a number of times actually. Very nice work. But what I'm still confused about is the gear select lights. I see that you can change the individual lights, like P and D. But does that orange-ish back-light that all the non-selected gears have to stay?

 

^ no, it just one single LED for the entire background color on that.

but again, your limited as to what you can do if you only have 13 LEDs...

 

there is a twist lock bulb in the locker switch

also I put blue leds in my heater controls and they shine through blue but they arent as bright as the guages but you can see them

 

the tutorial on TN will/should answer most of your questions. I used it pretty much as a step by step for changing mine out. But also be advised the pos and neg sides of the LEDs your swapping out. I had mine reversed at first and had no idea! They will have a small notch on one side, just make sure the notch goes in the same way as you took the onld one out

 

I got it all done and it was easier to figure out than I thought. I did, however, mess up my needle placement and break plenty of plastic tabs. I plan on ordering a few more LED's and changing a few more lights before I'm done.

I would like a little more info about how to change the AC lights and how to remove/where to get new bulbs for the locker and fog switches.