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Cool video. It looks like it took a while! This summer I'm planning to make some short videos showing the install for the more difficult items. I'm thinking -lights with loops on them, transmission bezel (removing filter, installing white diffuser panel), and 97-01 climate control / rocker lights.
it actually would have only taken me about 20 minutes. But if you include the time I used messing with the camera, putting my pre 97 console back in, and testing multiple color lights, it took about an hour and a half.
Sets of instrument lights for 97-01 are available in white, green, or blue. Price is $15 including shipping within the US. (It'll be $25 soon.)
The set includes direct replacement LEDs for the main backlight bulbs in the gauge cluster, rocker switches, climate control, and transfer/transmission indicators, turn signal indicators, and high beam indicator. New sockets are included for the turn and high beam lights. Clear diffusion material is included for the transmission indicator.
For white sets, the high beam is blue and turns are green.
For blue sets, high beam and turns are blue.
For green sets, high beam and turns are green.
The blue set looks darker in the photo than I feel it is in real life.
Dimming doesn't work effectively with any of the sets. I'm confident that most people will find the brightness acceptable. I'll provide a refund and return shipping label for anyone that isn't happy with the lights and wants to return them within the first couple months.
If one of these lights dies and I'm still around, just let me know. Most likely, I'll send a replacement at my cost. If its over a year I might as for shipping costs or I might not.
white climate control and rockers
white climate, rockers, and trans
The diffusion material will dim the transmission a bit. If it's a concern, I've got new, less bright white LEDs on the way. They should arrive in a week or so.
I finally finished a prototype of the improve backlight kit for the 97-01 climate control module! This is the white version, but it can also be made in blue or green. In all cases, the red part stays red.
The 'kit' consists of a string of LED strips and a power connector. The power connector fits in the stock bulb location.
pros: plug and play, bright within reason, looks great
cons: cost, glue is recommended (the backing tape isn't great)
Glues tested:
gorilla glue = fail
low temp hot glue = fail
superglue = okay, questionable lifepsan
high temp hot glue = good, vibration resistance
epoxy = untested
I'm going to work on finalizing dimensions and build of these before selling them, but the initial price will be $15 shipped. Eventually, I'll ask $20 each including an alcohol wipe, a single use packet of epoxy (assuming I can find a good epoxy for this), and detailed instructions.
version 1 - future examples should be a little cleaner
the white leds can even be installed on the back of the panel face so they reflect inside the module instead of aiming light directly through the display panel
The diffusion material will dim the transmission a bit. If it's a concern, I've got new, less bright white LEDs on the way. They should arrive in a week or so.
Should I wait to purchase an instrument light kit in white for my '01 XJ?
Give it a week or so if you can. I'd like to include the half brightness transmission lights I'm expecting in the next week.
The diffusion film is ready along with the sockets for transmission and transfer case lights.
I'll make the led strip light an option when they are ready. I'll build a few sets tonight. High temp hot glue will be recommended initially to tack wires in place until I fond a better solution.
Give it a week or so if you can. I'd like to include the half brightness transmission lights I'm expecting in the next week. The diffusion film is ready along with the sockets for transmission and transfer case lights. I'll make the led strip light an option when they are ready. I'll build a few sets tonight. High temp hot glue will be recommended initially to tack wires in place until I fond a better solution.
I'm game for a set as well. I meant to order a set and test for you a month ago when you needed it but got caught up in stuff. You say the blue on the heater control will show red when you get the strip figured out?
I'm game for a set as well. I meant to order a set and test for you a month ago when you needed it but got caught up in stuff. You say the blue on the heater control will show red when you get the strip figured out?
It should look like the top panel in the photo below. This is my best effort at comparing the two versions. I only have one test panel, so I used the same manual camera settings on each setup.
Basically, with the white set, the panel will be blue and red. With the blue set, it'll be vivid blue and red. Green will be green and red. Red will only show in the red portion of the panel.
I'll get more pics, but for now I'm finalizing the wiring between the pieces of LED strips.
What's the ETA for 98-01 OHC interior sets? Definitely need to pick a set of these up
I should only be out of light sets until tonight. I ran out of a certain part this morning, but the next shipment is scheduled for this afternoon. Once I've got them and confirm they're good, I'll be able to take orders and ship tomorrow.
I should only be out of light sets until tonight. I ran out of a certain part this morning, but the next shipment is scheduled for this afternoon. Once I've got them and confirm they're good, I'll be able to take orders and ship tomorrow.
