Has anyone changed the interior lights to more brighter LED units

need pics and also bilbs types sizes etc and a dummies guide to install
remember I cant even change my head lamps

I like to blind my passengers when they get into my cars

If you just mean the interior courtesy/reading lights, then YES, have done this in a few 3rd Gens.

You'll have to check what the 380 uses, but most 3rd gen "overhead" lamps are a 31mm Festoon globe - the shortest festoon, which limits possibilities for replacements a bit (less room). In "up spec" 3rd gens with extra lamps like maplights and c-pillar lamps, the bulbs are a T10 wedge bulb. Again, you'll need to check what size the 380 uses (or possibly search in here).

LED Options:
Jaycar make a 12 LED panel with 3 different adaptors, one of which is a dummy 31mm festoon. This is ideal to use in the square "room lamp" with the sliding lens/switch in centre of Magna roof linings. Quite pricey IIRC - $20-$30

E_Bay Shops: Look for a 31mm 4-LED Festoon - much more affordable than the Jaycar jobbie, quite good performance, have used these in the boot lamp as well (including adding a second boot lamp unit for better lighting). Available in various colours IIRC, but I have only used White.

T-10 Wedge: The item I used in reading lamps and map-lights was a "SMD" white LED on a "blade" - its a piece of printed circuit stuff with a little flat white/yellow pad (the surface mount LED). The point of getting these ones is that the light for map and reading lights has to shine out SIDEWAYS.
Have only ever seen these type on EBay shops. Again, I got white and am happy with results.

EDIT: Might be wise to search and download the 380 Workshop Manual from links in these forums. That will explain lots of good stuff about your car, and how to attack a vast number of jobs/maintenance/repairs.

Sweet thanks elwyn

Has anyone changed the interior lights to more brighter LED units

I like to blind my passengers when they get into my cars

As a general rule,or so i have found out,there is no way that led will "blind "people..maybe if you look directly at it..but,the light output is dim compared to normal globes...so buy at your risk...

I just want to romove the nicotine yellow light from the map and car interior lamp

I know I wont blind them just would like a clean crisper white

And Thanks I will checkout the Workshop Manual I D/L and check it out

If you have a "glovebox" Operators Manual, check that too - from memory its a bit sketchy about bulbs used for the 3rd Gens (or else I never locate the listing), but the 380 version might be a bit more help.

Otherwise you might have to unclip lenses and lamp units to check what bulbs you need for your Shopping List - knowing how to attack the various lamps may be where the workshop manual helps - judging by the self-serve wreckers, its easy to completely ruin some parts of interior trim if you don't attack them using the correct method.

Yeah I am a little worried

the handbook is no use but I will get through the manual and study it

In 3rd gens, you can look at the edges of lenses etc, and often see a clue - little indents in the plastic, or you can see a bit thru the transparent plastic where clips are moulded on the interior. If you go gently with a small screwdriver, you'd probably do allright.

I have a fair idea of 1st and 3rd Gens, vague ideas about 2nd gens (only had one of them), and have pulled-up at KJ/TJ series - too povvo here to go into the exalted 380 ranks!!

Center Roof has a Barrel Globe, I'll get the measurements soon. Then I'll tackle the Maps. Very different to 3rd gens.

Removal of Roof Center, Use Flat plastic tool and insert between the diffuser and surround to the rear of the car and in the center and pry downwards,
Re-assembly - insert teeth to front first and push upwards.

T-10 5 watt for the fronts, Pull down for dis-assemble. Held by 4 strong clips. two rear, two front.

I've not seen the barrel globe before Approx 40-45 mm long and 8-10 mm across

I just want to romove the nicotine yellow light from the map and car interior lamp

I know I wont blind them just would like a clean crisper white

And Thanks I will checkout the Workshop Manual I D/L and check it out

'Xonon White' is GREAT for map lights and stuff, really looks fantastic and gets rid of the icky yellow light.

BUT, don't go using white light for your footwells or bootlights because all it does is show how dirty your carpet is.

I am very against any 'ricey' improvements but I have gone for blue in the interior footwells of my car because white just looked waaaay too crap

<< Ninja enters to hijack thread >>
Anyone used green or amber LED's?

I have the Beige/Brown interior trim in my KJ (AND I really LIKE it, thanks!)- and wondered about green or amber against the beige carpet.

Use red LED's against black carpet in the red-dial TJ Sports and its quite effective.
Mum n dad's Exec has blue under-car LED kit from KMart for footwells, and its very effective too, in a bit-ricey kinda way - bonus was kit had 4 double LED lamp units, so rear footwells also done - glued the lamps either side of the centre-console/oddment bin, facing out under front seats.

<< Ninja leaves the thread to consider other colour-matching issues elsewhere >>

I dont know if I got lights in the foot well

I dont know if I got lights in the foot well

In your other thread, someone stated that NIL of the 380's have footwell lights. You do, however, have a sweet ride that goes like stick.

Has anyone changed the interior lights to more brighter LED units

need pics and also bilbs types sizes etc and a dummies guide to install
remember I cant even change my head lamps

I like to blind my passengers when they get into my cars

Mecha,

Having read this thread I did some searching, removed the existing bulbs (thanks SH00T for the hints on how to do it), went down to my local Motoquipe store, bought three 'bright white' LEDs (single festoon type for the rear dome light, twin pack 'wedge' type for the front map lights), stuck them in and all is sweet - nice bright white lights now instead of sickly yellow. Tried Ripco, SuperCrap & Dick Smith first but they don't stock automotive LEDs, but the helpful assistant at Ripco directed me to Motoquipe.

The rear dome light bulb is a TS 578, size 41mm by 10mm festoon style. The 41mm length is from the outside of the connecting parts, not including the 'bullet' bits on the ends (or the little wires in the case of the OEM bulb). So many places will list them as 44mm, being the full length. That doesn't matter, all that matters is that the connector length (outside to outside) is 41mm.

The front map light bulbs are T10 5 watt wedge type which is a standard type & size.

Total cost was $27.90, you could probably get cheaper from an on-line store (check out superbrightleds.com for example), but then there is postage and waiting.

KJ.

AWESOME KJ

now up to my ebay or interwebz skills to get some cheap LEDs

Geez these T10s are tiny

got mine all up $ 15

now I just just gotta put it on the list of things to do this week

Geez where do all these jobs come from???

Thanks to everyone for the info, I have ordered all the interior bulbs. One thing I'm unsure of....


T-10 5 watt for the fronts, Pull down for dis-assemble. Held by 4 strong clips. two rear, two front.

Do you mean you pull down the whole light/sunglass holder console from the roof? Without doing that I can't see how to get at the lights. There a plastic cover in between the lights, I pulled that off and am none the wiser how to get at the bulbs, but doing that will give somewhere to grip to perhaps pull the whole console off, but I was too afraid to do that in case I broke something.

Thanks to everyone for the info, I have ordered all the interior bulbs. One thing I'm unsure of....

Do you mean you pull down the whole light/sunglass holder console from the roof? Without doing that I can't see how to get at the lights. There a plastic cover in between the lights, I pulled that off and am none the wiser how to get at the bulbs, but doing that will give somewhere to grip to perhaps pull the whole console off, but I was too afraid to do that in case I broke something.

yes pull it really hard and it will pop out , there are 4 clips holding it in. To make it easier to pull i removed the little fascis plate in between the two map lights..this gives you something to grab....then give it a yank

Pull hard L slipped a egg flip under the lip and the popped it off

BTW NO such thing as 5W LEDs

They can take up to 5W before they go POP

For anyones interest I replaced my interior lights with LEDs today and took a few pics along the way so thought I would do little write up for anyone not sure if they should or could do it. I'm sure glad I did it.

I replaced the map lights and main light in the interior and the number plate lights. I intended to do the parkers but the LEDs I got unfotunately wouldn't fit though the hole in the headlight assembly as the head was too big :(


Here are the lights I bought off ebay.
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1182/12082009055.jpg
I bought them from here (http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/warden-jp2002).
Main Interior Light: 1pc 44mm 211 212 18 LED (Xenon White) Festoon Bulb
Map Light and Number Plate Light: 2pcs T10 W5W Flank High Power LED (White) Wedge Bulbs

The sunglass holder/sunglass console is probabaly the most non-obvious part to do. As descibed above, get a small screwdriver and pop off the 'l-shaped' bit of plastic between the lights off. This will give you something to grip. Just pull the whole console off, once you get it a little you should be able to easily get your finger tips in around the edges and just yank it off. This does take a bit of force to do so don't be scared. Once it pops off it will look like this:
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9761/12082009058.jpg
Unplug the whole console off the cable where the white plug is. Then you can take it off completely so you can work on a flat surface somewhere.

continued (image limit)....

...continued

Get a small screwdriver and and push the clips holding the sockets as below. Onces that's done simply replace the bulbs and reverse procedure to reinstall.
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/2800/12082009060.jpg

For the Main Interior Light & Number Plate Lights, consult your manual.
Basically for the interior light, get a small screwdriver in along the edge opposite where it hinges (you will see like a little difference in the plastic where there is a clip). Lever it towards the front of the car so you can get the clip past the 'lip' and it comes straight off.

As for the number plate lights, have a look and it's self explanatory. It's like opening the battery compartment on a remote. Twist the plug anti-clockwise to get at the bulb.

It's easy peasy.

End Result:
Comparison between LED main light and regular map lights.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/8458/12082009057.jpg
Number plate lights. Nice and white.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6648/12082009067.jpg
It's hard to get a pic which shows how much light is in the interior with my cam-phone. Heres my attempt. It's not quite as bright as the old bulbs. But much whiter and better looking. If you read books at night in your car you may want to think twice. You might strain your eyes after some time. But if not, go for it!
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/3006/12082009064.jpg

nice right up

I have leather and it bounces the light around the interior a little more

Good work j will be happy

WOOHOO thats more like it!!!

Need more pics though, especially the number plate light and the main interior light.

Come on, I'm so rubbish at this stuff, I need it!

Just to confirm, these are the actual lights needed?:
Main Interior Light: 1pc 44mm 211 212 18 LED (Xenon White) Festoon Bulb
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1pc-44mm-211-212-18-LED-Xenon-White-Festoon-Bulb_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem2ea7210774QQitemZ200372455284QQptZ MotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Map Light and Number Plate Light: 2pcs T10 W5W Flank High Power LED (White) Wedge Bulbs
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2pcs-T10-W5W-Flank-High-Power-LED-White-Wedge-Bulbs_W0QQitemZ200370409557QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_C ar_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2ea701d055&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
but you'd need two of these, giving 4 bulbs in total, two for the map lights and two for the number plate

Correct?

Cheers

Jimmy

^^^that shop has an awesome collection.. used to get those.. till i found these (free shipping storewide btw, 200mW lasers for $50 :p ) :

For interior:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12742

For rear rego plates:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.12741

On my previous ride prior to vrx
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/dsp26/For%20Sale/SMDLights.jpg



Also DO NOT use multi LED festoon's... you'll just get upset when a couple start blowing within a week (trick is to not give your car voltage spikes while LED is on, ie turning the engine on/off).. get these ones as their infinitely brighter:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1pc-42mm-211-212-214-HP-LED-Xenon-White-Festoon-Bulb_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem2ea706d1b5QQitemZ200370737589QQptZ MotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
^^^I have the single SMD versions in my door in the above pic

WOOHOO thats more like it!!!

Need more pics though, especially the number plate light and the main interior light.

Come on, I'm so rubbish at this stuff, I need it!

Just to confirm, these are the actual lights needed?:
Main Interior Light: 1pc 44mm 211 212 18 LED (Xenon White) Festoon Bulb
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1pc-44mm-211-212-18-LED-Xenon-White-Festoon-Bulb_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2e l1262QQhashZitem2ea7210774QQitemZ200372455284QQptZ MotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Map Light and Number Plate Light: 2pcs T10 W5W Flank High Power LED (White) Wedge Bulbs
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2pcs-T10-W5W-Flank-High-Power-LED-White-Wedge-Bulbs_W0QQitemZ200370409557QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_C ar_Parts_Accessories?hash=item2ea701d055&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262
but you'd need two of these, giving 4 bulbs in total, two for the map lights and two for the number plate

Correct?

Cheers

Jimmy

Yep thats them Jimmy. As for reliability, obviously I just put them in so I can't vouch for that. Keep in mind those box lights have wires and u need to find some way of mounting them i assume (correct me if I'm wrong)?
I was tossing up whether to get the multi-led festoon or the SMD variety, went with the multi cause i thought i might be brighter. Will switch to SMD if some leds start failing.

^^^yeah the square ones have wires (converter connections for a few different plugs)

Test fitted the 4x5 SMD array set on my magna before selling the honda and they fit perfectly inside the light cover, you can tape it down or leave it, it doesn't move.

I will also be converting the trunk to a 4x5 smd array.. just extend the wires and stick to the centre somewhere in the boot... they come with uber strong double sided tape.


warden_jp2002's LEDs are amazing but i was sick of them blowing so easily.. but most of his SMD's come with a heatsink for a reason (ie the 1w T10) which the leds don't have.

So how are everyone's LEDs going then? After ordering my new LED parkers, I'm now looking at other funky LED mods.

Cheers

Jimmy

Going to order some of those flank SMDs

They are SO bright

Just ordered a heap more for my corolla and some different styles to see what gets me the look I am after

My LED's for the number plates came the other day. I put them in last night.

WOW

Sooooo awesome, they must add 15kw at the wheels easy. Seriously though, they look awesome. Another essential but cheap 380 mod I reckon.

Cheers

J

Well all my interiors bar the dash and console are now LED

I have 3 different styles and they are great, not missing a beat but I have another 8 T10 just incase

just reading up on these LED's they look awesome on the number plate but was wondering will cops look at me more if i installed them to mine, i dont want them looking at the LED number plate lights cause they are so bright then pull me over only to find that my wheels on my car are too big and tint too dark then get a nice little bill of the police man, i see them on alot of european an japanese cars, even on trucks. LED number plate lights are legal right

just reading up on these LED's they look awesome on the number plate but was wondering will cops look at me more if i installed them to mine, i dont want them looking at the LED number plate lights cause they are so bright then pull me over only to find that my wheels on my car are too big and tint too dark then get a nice little bill of the police man, i see them on alot of european an japanese cars, even on trucks. LED number plate lights are legal right

no probs at all Kif

BTW if your ordering the SMD flank wedge can you get me 2 sets and I will fix you up

I has no Credit card cause bank is stupid and not replaced it

The sunglass holder/sunglass console is probabaly the most non-obvious part to do. As descibed above, get a small screwdriver and pop off the 'l-shaped' bit of plastic between the lights off. This will give you something to grip. Just pull the whole console off, once you get it a little you should be able to easily get your finger tips in around the edges and just yank it off. This does take a bit of force to do so don't be scared. Once it pops off it will look like this:
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9761/12082009058.jpg


thanks for posting that info, i could not work out how to replace those globes before

i will add it takes ALOT of force to pull that thing off the roof. The front 2 clips came off with a fair effort, but the rear 2 clips wouldnt budge even with me hanging off the ****ing thing like a gorilla.