LED Dome/Map/Licence/Trunk Light Conversion [Picture heavy]
02-06-2011, 07:28 PM
#1
LED Dome/Map/Licence/Trunk Light Conversion [Picture heavy]
Hey guys, so after some time I finally decided to go ahead and convert the whole car and it looks awesome.
Below is a little write up on how I did mine and tons of pictures.
Starting at the front door lights, stock bulb.
Cover pops off with a flat head, a t10 filament bulb.
Replaced with a 3x3 array of LED's, fits perfect.
Cover back on.
Moving up to the map lights. Cover pops off with a flathead as well.
Replaced with a 2x3 array of LEDs, fitment is also perfect.
Test both lights.
Cover on.
Dome light is the same process, pops off with a flathead, festoon bulb is replaced with a 3x3 array. Double sided tape used to secure the bulb.
Cover on.
Moving on to the trunk bulb, standard t10 bulb, just like in the doors. Cover opens up.
Replaced with a 1w high powered LED.
Cover on.
I forgot to take a picture of the stock bulbs but the removal is straight forward. its 2 screws and the lights slide out. it also uses the t10 bulb just like the trunk. Replaced with the same 1w bulbs as used for the trunk.
Below is a little write up on how I did mine and tons of pictures.
Starting at the front door lights, stock bulb.
Cover pops off with a flat head, a t10 filament bulb.
Replaced with a 3x3 array of LED's, fits perfect.
Cover back on.
Moving up to the map lights. Cover pops off with a flathead as well.
Replaced with a 2x3 array of LEDs, fitment is also perfect.
Test both lights.
Cover on.
Dome light is the same process, pops off with a flathead, festoon bulb is replaced with a 3x3 array. Double sided tape used to secure the bulb.
Cover on.
Moving on to the trunk bulb, standard t10 bulb, just like in the doors. Cover opens up.
Replaced with a 1w high powered LED.
Cover on.
I forgot to take a picture of the stock bulbs but the removal is straight forward. its 2 screws and the lights slide out. it also uses the t10 bulb just like the trunk. Replaced with the same 1w bulbs as used for the trunk.
Last edited by Tyutyunnik; 10-04-2012 at 06:02 PM.
02-06-2011, 07:32 PM
#2
Some outdoor night pictures.
Door light.
Interior.
Helps you see that 1 foot of snow on the ground in case you missed it.
Trunk light with my tools.
Whole car shot.
I get complimented on these every day. I'd love to hear what you guys think and if you'd be interested in a group deal type thing.
Door light.
Interior.
Helps you see that 1 foot of snow on the ground in case you missed it.
Trunk light with my tools.
Whole car shot.
I get complimented on these every day. I'd love to hear what you guys think and if you'd be interested in a group deal type thing.
02-06-2011, 07:55 PM
#7
I think I'm going to add a thread in the classifieds section if you guys are interested.
02-06-2011, 08:21 PM
#9
I've got this done on my car, too. People seem to love the LED interiors for some reason. I really do like the way the LEDs light up my license plate, though. 
Here's a heads up for people wanting to do this: If you plan on doing the map lights, and using an actual bayonette bulb LED like I did, you need to reverse the polarity of the sockets. The way OP did it is actually easier.
Here's a heads up for people wanting to do this: If you plan on doing the map lights, and using an actual bayonette bulb LED like I did, you need to reverse the polarity of the sockets. The way OP did it is actually easier.
02-06-2011, 08:25 PM
#11
I've got this done on my car, too. People seem to love the LED interiors for some reason. I really do like the way the LEDs light up my license plate, though.
Here's a heads up for people wanting to do this: If you plan on doing the map lights, and using an actual bayonette bulb LED like I did, you need to reverse the polarity of the sockets. The way OP did it is actually easier.
Here's a heads up for people wanting to do this: If you plan on doing the map lights, and using an actual bayonette bulb LED like I did, you need to reverse the polarity of the sockets. The way OP did it is actually easier.
These are definitely a chick magnet though. =D
02-06-2011, 09:04 PM
#15
And yeah I may have over exposed the last one just for dramatic effect but they do really light up the ground quite well.
02-06-2011, 09:09 PM
#16
I have yet to get an LED in my glove box. The wire in there shorted out. Or broke. Or something.
Other than my dash/sound and HVAC controls, all the other incandescent bulbs are gone from my interior, though.And trust me, I believe you. Even the little 8-LED 194 bulbs I have in my doors are surprisingly bright.
02-06-2011, 09:26 PM
#18
02-06-2011, 09:40 PM
#20
Those are the ones I'm using, they're pretty bright.. shipping takes about two weeks but worth it.
edit: I might be interested in the door lights depending on price, you can pm me if you'd like. (My 194 bulbs don't last very long but they were very very cheap)
02-06-2011, 10:07 PM
#23
Honestly, the LED I have in my trunk is a whole lot brighter than that dinky 194 bulb Nissan decided to put in there...well worth doing it.
I used to have to struggle to see what all was in my trunk. No problems now.
I used to have to struggle to see what all was in my trunk. No problems now.
02-07-2011, 05:39 AM
#26
OP, nice job with the LED panels. I have a very similar setup. Love having white LED in the dome line, courtesy lights and map lights.
Every time I go to actually use my visor mirror at night (no, not to check my make-up), I'm reminded of the regret for swapping in LED's here. Sure, it *looks* good, but it's not at all effective. Too much glare, too bright. Can't see the mirror well enough.
This is an often overlooked lighting mod, but one well worth pursuing.
Every time I go to actually use my visor mirror at night (no, not to check my make-up), I'm reminded of the regret for swapping in LED's here. Sure, it *looks* good, but it's not at all effective. Too much glare, too bright. Can't see the mirror well enough.
This is an often overlooked lighting mod, but one well worth pursuing.
02-07-2011, 06:38 AM
#28
OP, nice job with the LED panels. I have a very similar setup. Love having white LED in the dome line, courtesy lights and map lights.
Every time I go to actually use my visor mirror at night (no, not to check my make-up), I'm reminded of the regret for swapping in LED's here. Sure, it *looks* good, but it's not at all effective. Too much glare, too bright. Can't see the mirror well enough.
This is an often overlooked lighting mod, but one well worth pursuing.
Every time I go to actually use my visor mirror at night (no, not to check my make-up), I'm reminded of the regret for swapping in LED's here. Sure, it *looks* good, but it's not at all effective. Too much glare, too bright. Can't see the mirror well enough.
This is an often overlooked lighting mod, but one well worth pursuing.
Technically if you really cared to keep it white you could find the power line for those visor lights probably somewhere in the a pillar or something and throw a resistor on.
Btw OP are those snow tires? I know my maxima would have probably been stuck in that. Hankook fail
Last edited by luvlexus101; 02-07-2011 at 06:44 AM.
02-07-2011, 08:08 AM
#31
It's true, the dome lights are a bit counter intuitive, kinda like HIDs in reflector housings. YES the are brighter, but the final result might blind you or other people which causes you to see less. Still looks pretty cool though! It's essentially a miniature festoon bulb. I think I'll leave mine stock for now though =D
02-07-2011, 08:11 AM
#32
Technically if you really cared to keep it white you could find the power line for those visor lights probably somewhere in the a pillar or something and throw a resistor on.
Btw OP are those snow tires? I know my maxima would have probably been stuck in that. Hankook fail
Btw OP are those snow tires? I know my maxima would have probably been stuck in that. Hankook fail
Yes those are snow tires, they definitely help but I still call it "Fail Wheel Drive". I got stuck going up a hill the other day because I actually stopped at the stop sign and couldn't get moving again. There was a pedestrian passing me on the sidewalk and he was probably thinking "what a tool".
02-07-2011, 08:31 AM
#33
There are places where incandecents still do a much better job. It's a matter of balance
02-07-2011, 08:40 AM
#34
I had one of the 15-LED panels from Autzone in my 4AT's dome light. That thing barely lit up the interior. Now I have a normal 30mm 4-panel LED in there that I got off of eBay for $3, and it's just as bright as the 15-LED panel.
Lately, I've been considering trying to find a way to make the map lights light up when the dome light comes on...I've seen a few other cars that do this, and I definitely think it's nice-looking. Brightens the interior overall, too.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
02-07-2011, 11:10 AM
#35
Lately, I've been considering trying to find a way to make the map lights light up when the dome light comes on...I've seen a few other cars that do this, and I definitely think it's nice-looking. Brightens the interior overall, too.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
It wouldn't be hard to do...just a bit time-consuming.
02-07-2011, 11:40 AM
#36
I'm sure it's in the FSM somewhere...just gotta dig. 
I was actually thinking of taking a short cut and just tapping the hot side of the dome light, threading some wire through to the map lights, running a directional resistor, and then tapping in just below the push switch on the map lights. That way they'd retain their on/off functionality, and still come on with the dome light. In theory.
I was actually thinking of taking a short cut and just tapping the hot side of the dome light, threading some wire through to the map lights, running a directional resistor, and then tapping in just below the push switch on the map lights. That way they'd retain their on/off functionality, and still come on with the dome light. In theory.
02-07-2011, 12:11 PM
#37
I'm sure it's in the FSM somewhere...just gotta dig.
I was actually thinking of taking a short cut and just tapping the hot side of the dome light, threading some wire through to the map lights, running a directional resistor, and then tapping in just below the push switch on the map lights. That way they'd retain their on/off functionality, and still come on with the dome light. In theory.
I was actually thinking of taking a short cut and just tapping the hot side of the dome light, threading some wire through to the map lights, running a directional resistor, and then tapping in just below the push switch on the map lights. That way they'd retain their on/off functionality, and still come on with the dome light. In theory.
My comp crashed I lost my FSM download, I need to find it again.
02-07-2011, 12:41 PM
#38
Not quite the same as what you guys are thinking however what you guys want to do I think could be done with a relay converting the negative door trigger to power the map light +. Get a micro relay since its not pulling a lot of power and it could probably all fit within the pillar!
Brett I've done the 'dome map light' mod inspired by member dj kevinnn, what I did in my situation was add an led board to each map light while keeping the stock map light bulbs and tied those two boards into the dome light circuit (both + and -) So when the dome light comes on so do the boards in the map lights and the regular map light still functions as always.
Now converted all the white cause I can't see squat in the dark with blue lol
Brett I've done the 'dome map light' mod inspired by member dj kevinnn, what I did in my situation was add an led board to each map light while keeping the stock map light bulbs and tied those two boards into the dome light circuit (both + and -) So when the dome light comes on so do the boards in the map lights and the regular map light still functions as always.
Now converted all the white cause I can't see squat in the dark with blue lol
02-07-2011, 04:33 PM
#40
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 22
I ordered these on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
Super cheap and work awesome! Came with a nice assortment of adapters, including the bayonet ones that are such a PITA to find. Enjoy!
Tyutyunnik: Would these be better for the License:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-19...Q5fAccessories
Since they are at a right angle to the sicket and the plate is at a right angle to light??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
Super cheap and work awesome! Came with a nice assortment of adapters, including the bayonet ones that are such a PITA to find. Enjoy!
Tyutyunnik: Would these be better for the License:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2x-19...Q5fAccessories
Since they are at a right angle to the sicket and the plate is at a right angle to light??