Who has done aftermarket dash and cluster lights?

ok, upon further investigation there is a way to replace the REC and A/C button leds from orange on 01-04 tacos or green on 96-00 tacos to another color if you want to.

all you need is two 3mm LEDs of the color of your choice, or even different colors if you wish

it does require you to solder and unsolder the LEDs from the control circuit board so if your not good at soldering you shouldn't try this.

that said, all you need is two 3mm blue LEDS, I recommend normal brightness LEDs for this and not the super bright ones since they send out a beam of light like a flashlight and are just too much for the switch light.

its fairly straight forward to do it.

take control out of dash and bring to a bench then take out the 3 screws holding the back cover on and the two scrrws hlding the back circuit board in the back cover and then remove the 4 screws holding the circuit board on. there is no need to try to disconnect the flex strip connecting the two boards together because you can replace the LEDs with both circuit boards still connected.

to remove the stock LEDs first you must remove the black LED cover and there are 3 black tabs holding the cover in place. cut the single middle pin off flush with the board and the outer two just snap in place so push inward on them to release the cover but you may need to pry upward with a knife on the center tab you cut to release it from the board.

now carefully mark on a piece of paper or some other measuring tool so you know later exactly how far it sticks out from the board because this is the same position you want to reinstall your new LED light at.

at this time test fit your new LEDs in the black LED covers and if its not able to slide in without too much force then your good but if it is too tight gently file or sandpaper the two sides that touch the LED cover so it slides in without being forced to. (you want to avoid a sloppy fit if you can so just a little friction is perfect)

now unsolder both of the stock LEDs from the circuit board and stick your new LEDs in the holes with some heat shrink on one of the pins to avoid possible shorts if they touch but don't solder them just yet, just bend the pins outward so they stay in place on the board. now you need to go out and plug in the circuit board to your truck to confirm the LEDs work and are in the correct position. you may or may not need a screwdriver to make good contact with the LED pins to the solder spots on the circuit boards.

once you confirm everything is working you go back to your bench and set the LEDs at the correct height off the board based on your measurements earlier so it sticks out just the same as the stock LEDs did and then solder them in place.

now slide the black LED covers back over the LEDS and snap them in place making sure the center one is fully pressed down in place and that's it, you now have blue (or any color you chose to use) switch button lights.

 

What Bulb did you use on the A/C controls? are they "SuperbrightLEDs"

 

What would I need for just the cluster lights on a 96? Would it be the same as a 98?

 

those are the T10 bulbs, if you jusrt want the back lighting bulbs you need 4 of them, if you want to make everything the same I think its 10 for all the back lighting, blinkers, high beams, and warning lights too

 

This should be of help http://www.pfranleds.com/tacoma/

 

I used these: https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ulb-high-power-instrument-panel-led/221/1000/

They're the 4mm ones.

 

I just did my LED Gauge cluster swap yesterday on my 04 Tacoma. Pretty easy just tedious. I got my 360 degree #194 bulbs from Superbrightled for $5.99 a bulb and bought 4. I just took my time and had it done in an hour. Watched it on YouTube first. Then got to it. I has the brightness turned up all the way so the picture could be better but I am happy with the outcome.

 

the only thing im not happy with is when its the in between times light dusk and dawn where its bright enough so you don't see the blue but still dark enough so the white is muted and the numbers get harder to see.

same thing in heavy rain where you need lights during daytime the numbers seam to disappear on you

 

I'm confused trying to picture this but I still love you the same for posting it.

 

lol, you have to take the control apart and unsolder the orange LEDs and then solder the blue or green or any color LEDs you want (depending on preference)

the key is to make sure it stands the same height up off of the circuit board so its bright but doesn't hit the button and interfere with it.

the black LED covers are just plastic sleeves that hold and let the button move back and forth without hitting on anything or getting stuck.

if you are not used to soldering and unsoldering things then its best not to try this

that should over simplify it

 

Seems like this guy did it?

Would love to switch the colors in my ac/fan buttons.

Current setup:

 

I have a '98 so my A/C switch is literally a push button thing that slides out of the dash:



Wondering how to get to that little light (which illuminates green) next to the "A/C" text.

 

You can pop it apart and get to the light, I remember I took my old broken one part, then just match the light with your color choice id imagine

 

ooooh ok, yep I'd be confused as hell too if I had that and read my post about doing the 01-04 LEDs swap

I would imagine theres a snap on the side to press so it comes apart.

I don't mind the green buttons but its an ugly ass turn signal colored orange on the 01-04 trucks

 

I like the orange far better than the green.

My only issue is I want to swap everything to red. Already did the climate control panel (with less than stellar results) and the green light on the A/C switch sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

well just take your time carefully separating the cover from the switch and I bet its pretty straight forward to swap it out once you get to it.

your saving grace is since its a separate slide in switch if you break it, its not a huge expense to get another one.

just be sure to test before you solder, because LEDs only work in one direction so test and see if you need to reverse the pins and after you see it working, then its ok to solder it. also I recommend a regular LED instead of super brights so it looks normal and not glaring at you

 

is there any soldering required for the climate control panel?

 

Not on my 98... doubt on your 96 either.

Just swap out the two bulbs.

Takes about 45 seconds to do so.

 

Sweet! just ordered red for the cluster, climate control, and shifter!