Interior lights

Hi all! I own a 2022 SR5. I have seen several threads and I decided to join this awesome community. This is my first thread. Is there a way to change all the interior blue lighting to a different color? I’d like to change the (AC knobs and digits, instrument cluster, and door switches) to red lighting instead of the blue. Red is my favorite color and I think it would look awesome and also match with my current screen theme.

 

I believe this is not a simple bulb/lamp swap out, the LEDs are solder to a board.

 

So how could accomplish this?

 

I have no idea my friend. For many, the risk isn’t worth the reward. I’m sure it can be done if you want to dissect the controller boards.

 

Thank you. I appreciate your help!

 

You'll need to pull each switch apart and de-solder the blue SMD LEDs mounted on each circuit board, then solder in new red SMD LEDs. Same goes for the instrument cluster, HVAC display, etc.

SMD "Surface Mount Device" are SMALL.. and the precision needed to do this is possible but definitely not easy. I swapped out ONE SMD LED in an Air On Board switch for a color change and I wrecked the board from too much heat and pulling too hard with tweezers. I assume for a bigger job the odds of trashing something expensive are pretty high.

CHANZON (5 Colors x 20 pcs = 100 pcs 0805 SMD LED Diode Lights Assorted Kit (Mini Chip 2.0mm x 1.2mm for PCB DC 20mA) Super Bright Lighting Bulb Lamps Electronics Components Light Emitting Diodes

$7 CHANZON (5 Colors x 20 pcs = 100 pcs 0805 SMD LED Diode Lights Assorted Kit (Mini Chip 2.0mm x 1.2mm for PCB DC 20mA) Super Bright Lighting Bulb Lamps Electronics Components Light Emitting Diodes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CUGA8JO

There was a dude on the 2nd gen board that used to do these conversions for the older trucks (stock orange color to white) but IDK what happened to him. Maybe he's still there?

Juice ain't worth the squeeze IMO...

 

You could ask around and look for a local electronics shop, it’s probably easy squeezy to them. If you pulled everything and reinstalled, you’d keep the costs way down.

 

It's not too difficult if you've got steady hands, but even that isn't necessary. However, it may not be worth it if you don't have the necessary tools, as those can be pricey.

• 60/40 leaded solder
• Soldering iron that can be set to 700°F (I've found 650°F works well)
• Liquid flux (not just the rosin core solder)
• Solder wick to remove the solder from the board after pulling the current LED off, also to fix any issues you may have, like a cold solder joint
• 30x+ magnification microscope (30x-40x works for most applications done by hand)
• Light source for the microscope
• Set of helping hands to hold the parts in place
• Acid brushes, isopropyl alcohol, and q tips to clean.

When using the proper tools, the parts almost solder themselves. The flux and solder will help pull the SMD part right onto the pads.

Spoiler: Here's some pics of a board I did by hand when going through IPC training

Full board:


Full board:


100 pin:


100 pin:


That is a hair from the acid brush, comparing the size to the resistors.

 

Tons of work.

You're likely going to be spending around 8 hours taking out all the switches, and taking the switches all apart to get to the circuit boards.

From there you need to locate quality LEDs in the same form factor(mouser, digikey, futureelectronics), as anything random or non-name brand risks a short lifespan and having to do it all over again.

Next is determining the forward voltage and current of the circuit and if you need to alter the current limiting resistor, or just solder the new led in.

After all that, you can learn to solder SMD components, but only after you've mastered standard soldering practices. Not really all that hard, anything larger than 0805 is feasible without specialty equipment consisting of a soldering station, and tweezers. I've done smaller with only a tweezers and magnifying glass.

A hot air rework station is really a better option though as it heats the entire area to be reworked. Though care must be had that the thermal ramping profile is somewhat close to the device datasheet to avoid damage to the component.

Just be sure to install it the correct way in the circuit otherwise you need to do it all over again and flip it around.


In all, you're going to have close to 3-4 full days of work into a project like this, though there's tons of vehicle down time as parts and processes are ordered between steps... What's your time worth?

 

I’ve seen some pretty good replies here. Awesome forum! Also want to add are some of the newer clusters actually have fiber optic needles and are a little more trickier to do. Also with some newer clusters, the ODO isn’t just a pull out and plug in, but each individual pin needs to be de soldered from the board before pulling and resoldered after installation. I’d love to hear what you guys have to say about the newer clusters. Hit me up!

 

OP, Meso makes dual color map lights.

Don’t remember the price, but leave ‘em on red and call it a day?

 

You could buy a beater Volkswagen. I remember I had a 2011 TDI with red interior lighting. I’m sure the cost to change all the lights in your Taco would run the same as a 11 year old Mexican diesel

 

I've been looking into this too, as I find all that blue light to be hard on my middle-aged eyes. Especially once you get away from the city lights. Not to mention that it wrecks the night vision. But it's going to be a project for after the warranty expires.

With all of the mostly useless tech in these 3rd gens, I really don't know why they wouldn't throw some colour changing LEDs in there, so that owners can customize it to suit their needs. Or at least make it so you can dim them a lot more so that they're not so hard on the eyes.

Anyway, here's how it was done on a Camry, if you're still interested. It's not a simple project, but it's definitely doable.

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/speedometer-gauges-color-change.1690071/