CCFL Dome lights & License Plate Lights
03-26-09 | 08:15 AM
#31
Thread Starter
iModerate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,397
Likes: 41
From: 408 NOR CAL
If you search around you should be able find some real complete lists. Here is a short version:
INTERIOR:
Doors = 194 x4
Map = BA9S x2
F Dome = 3175 x1 ( I changed to CCFL's )
R Domes = 194 x2
Key = 74 x1
Glove = 74 x1
F Floor = 74 x2
EXTERIOR:
License Plate: 194 x2
Front Side Markers = 194 x2
Parking = 194 x2
03-26-09 | 02:26 PM
#32
Driver
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Fl
In my youth I may have worried about something like this. No that I am all grown up I can care less what they see. Besides if they can't read your plate they are more likely to come follow you so they can read and run it. I am happy to let them run my plates, find out that my cars are all registers and legit, and then go bother someone else....who has dim LP lights.
besides it's more the thieves actually that I don't need to help out.
04-26-09 | 04:08 PM
#33
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,527
Likes: 78
From: Crappy ol' Texas
Ok so here is the CCFL License Plate Light Conversion DIY:
Remove the trunk lid liner by pulling off the 14 push in retainers and the two screws the secure the lid pull. You will also need to remove the emergency trunk release trim ring.
Remove the original bulb sockets from the OE license plate light housings. Uninstall the two bulbs that you will no longer need. Now remove the four nuts that secure the trunk bar to the trunk lid. Once those are removed squeeze the two clips on the trunk bar and pull it up at the same time to remove it.
Once the trunk bar has been removed uninstall the OE light housings from the car and store those away. Now fabricate a cover for the OE light opening in the trunk lid and a clear lens for the trunk bar. I used items found around the house for this - nothing special. Be sure to leave room to pass the CCFL plug through into the trunk in the inner cover. For the lens cover I used a MP3 players hard packaging. It was cut and ground it into shape. They are both attached with 3M molding tape.
Now on to the actual CCFL lights. Grind or sand them down to resemble the picture below. This will allow them to fit in the trunk bar. Their full brightness was too much for me so I covered roughly 50% of them in black vinyl. This of course can be changed to your preference. Apply 3M double stick tape to the ends where they will attach to the trunk lid and lens, the more square side.
Remove the trunk lid liner by pulling off the 14 push in retainers and the two screws the secure the lid pull. You will also need to remove the emergency trunk release trim ring.
Remove the original bulb sockets from the OE license plate light housings. Uninstall the two bulbs that you will no longer need. Now remove the four nuts that secure the trunk bar to the trunk lid. Once those are removed squeeze the two clips on the trunk bar and pull it up at the same time to remove it.
Once the trunk bar has been removed uninstall the OE light housings from the car and store those away. Now fabricate a cover for the OE light opening in the trunk lid and a clear lens for the trunk bar. I used items found around the house for this - nothing special. Be sure to leave room to pass the CCFL plug through into the trunk in the inner cover. For the lens cover I used a MP3 players hard packaging. It was cut and ground it into shape. They are both attached with 3M molding tape.
Now on to the actual CCFL lights. Grind or sand them down to resemble the picture below. This will allow them to fit in the trunk bar. Their full brightness was too much for me so I covered roughly 50% of them in black vinyl. This of course can be changed to your preference. Apply 3M double stick tape to the ends where they will attach to the trunk lid and lens, the more square side.
04-26-09 | 06:54 PM
#34
Thread Starter
iModerate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,397
Likes: 41
From: 408 NOR CAL
Please excuse the ignorance, but my dad just picked up a GS400 and I have a couple LED's lying around from doing the swap to my SC400 that I want to put in the GS. The SC was no problem when doing this because all I did was pop off the covers with a flathead screwdriver and was good to go, but when I look at the GS' they seem to be a bit more on the complicated side and I don't want to risk breaking the lenses. Sorry to ramble on, but I am just wondering if I have to remove everything like you showed in here to get to the bulbs or if I can just pop off the covers like I did with my SC. Thanks and great job on the conversion.
04-27-09 | 05:57 PM
#35
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,527
Likes: 78
From: Crappy ol' Texas
05-15-09 | 01:24 AM
#37
Thread Starter
iModerate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,397
Likes: 41
From: 408 NOR CAL
... Granted, I put this in my Camry, it was simply plug and play. It works with any car that uses 194/921 bulbs. In the process of making them work in 3022/3175 festoon bulbs. Just need to order parts. I have some laying around if anyone is interested.
... The ones I have laying around have built-in reverse polarity. So if you plug it in the wrong way and it doesnt work, just flip the plug around. No need to replace fuse or inverter.
... The ones I have laying around have built-in reverse polarity. So if you plug it in the wrong way and it doesnt work, just flip the plug around. No need to replace fuse or inverter.
Please don't try to drum up sales on my thread.
06-15-09 | 08:56 AM
#39
Thread Starter
iModerate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,397
Likes: 41
From: 408 NOR CAL
Thanks! Yeah it was pretty cheap Just a few bucks and some time. Definitely worth it. They look great in person.
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