How to change the color of your stock radio by "slvrAZtaco"

Ok, here is my write up on how to change the color of your OEM stereo.

Tools needed:
Small sized screwdriver
10mm Socket setup
Soldering Iron
Solder sucker
Solder
Needle nose pliers or tweezers
And of course... new LEDs.

The LEDs I used are a little bit smaller then the OEM LEDs. I used UT-672 LEDs 470nm wavelength. You will need 30 LEDs for the directions below; I would recommend ordering a few extra. If you want to replace the lights near the CD slot or the LCD backlighting then you will need to order more.

***If you do not know how to solder or properly remove soldered components do not attempt this, serious damage could occur. I am not responsible for any damage, you are taking the fate of your stereo into your own hands.***

First you need to remove the stereo, to do this you must remove the climate controls. Insert your small screwdriver under the climate control and pry the lower part outward. Once the lower clips pop, grab the entire unit and carefully pull it straight out (toward you). Once the climate control is out you will see 4 bolts, these bolts are holding the stereo bracket. Remove these 4 bolts using the socket setup, then grab the stereo and pull it straight out (toward you). Once you have the stereo loose there are 4 wires that need to be removed, 3 to the stereo and one for the clock/hazard multiswitch.




Here is the stereo once it is out. Rotate the face of the stereo away from you and remove the two screws on the top cover, and the four screws; two on each side, and the three on the bottom.




Once the screws are removed, carefully pry the top cover up. You do not have to remove it from the face.


Next move the stereo so the face is facing up. Remove the volume and station knobs by pulling them straight away.


Once the knobs are removed you can start to "pry" the face away from the stereo. There are two large clips on the sides and numerous plastic clips along the top and bottom.



When you have all the clips released then you can pull the face away from the unit. There are two electrical connections that will cause some resistance. Also watch the top plate that was released earlier, ensure that it does not drop back down.


Here you can see the two electrical connections



Now set the unit aside and place the face, face down. You will see 9 or 10 screws, remove all of these screws and set them aside.


After you remove the screws you can the pull the PC board away from the face.



You can then locate all the LEDs on the board, they are placed near each button and there are 4 surrounding the volume and station knobs. The LEDs for the LCD screen are under the LCD screen. In order to change these LEDs the entire LCD must be removed. These instructions do not cover the LCD color change.

If the picture is clear enough, you should see the "blue" end of the LED. This is the Cathode side of the LED. All the LEDs are oriented in the same direction, all cathodes are to the right or up depending on where the LED is mounted. There are two LED's that are not the same as all the rest. These can be found on either side of the CD slot. You can probably replace these LEDs as well, but once again I did not feel the need to. They are not normally lit, and only light (green) when you are loading or unloading a CD.



Use your soldering skills to remove the LEDs and solder in the new ones. Fortunately none of the LEDs are glued to the PC board and most can be salvaged, if for some reason you want to keep them. My method is to remove all the solder from both the anode and cathode sides, using the solder sucker. Then using my tweezers I gently pull up on the LED while heating both sides.

Once the LEDs are removed I will then tin each pad and solder in the new LEDs.

Ensure that you have the polarity correct!!! If you have a Digital Multimeter that has a diode test function then you can place the negative probe on the cathode and positive probe on the anode and the LED should still light. Test each LED to ensure that you have not burned any, and that you do not have any cold solder joints.

If you have verified that all your LEDs work then you can reassemble the stereo. Just reverse the directions above.

 

Nice Writeup!

 

Why didn't you change the color of the display?

How did you change the color of the clock?

 

That's not my radio. Here is my radio:

Mine is white:




The clock? You need to strip the tint on the inside of the clock lens. Not very easy.

 

Nice job Toku. I gotta see your truck in person sometime.....

 

We need to have a First Annual Tacoma World "How-to Solder" Class.. we could do it in o I dont know.. Sanford, NC.. yea that sounds great

 

Come to the Cape, I'll teach ya Just soldered up a few things yesterday to brush up on my skills.

 

Nice write up!!

 

Remember not to get those LED's too hot. They don't like heat! Do your solders quick.

 

thanks

 

Very nice writeup! Now if only I had the balls to do it...

 

Just did mine and also the instrument cluster. Just need a fine tip soldering iron and a steady hand. Also, a cheap pair of 2X reading classes help.

 

Brilliant write up - looks easy enough to do, but I know very well that looks can be quite deceiving How did you change the color of the radio display?

 

Some great tech! I wish I had bigger balls to tear apart my dash, i am to scarrrd.

 

toku.. I know a guy from TN did this writeup but I see you did it too. did you use 0805 or 1206 LED's? Do you have a link to the site you bought them from?

 

^ i always use the PLCC-2 LEDs from oznium. yea, they are a little bigger, but they will fit, plus they are only 0.50 each!

 

Yosh I know you have a service for the gauge cluster but have you done any stereos? I'm sorta like the white one in post 4 and then maybe get the gauges all back lit with white as well.

Edit it looks like you do. Time for me to go read through your thread

 

^ yes sir, i've done a handful of them! i actually have a few that im trying to sell right now...they look pretty darn sweet modded....just like the clusters!

you will need over 50 LEDs for them, but email and tell you more about the stereos...