Blue T/A Shifter Lights
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Blue T/A Shifter Lights Well, since I recently found out my shifter lights are suppose to light up, I had one LAST item to turn to blue. Soooo, it's been done! Used an 02 SS (what auction stated) console. I only swapped out the shifter part and kept my original console in place. Mainly due to the hawk emblem on the console. 
I used 8, 3mm, 7000mcd LEDs to light it up. 1 LED per letter on the shifter and gave the OD 2 LEDs. I wanted to use 8 of them to keep the wiring down to a min, plus didn't have to use any resistors as well. I also choose to use 3mm versus 5mm due to the size, my 3mm were brighter (5K vs 7K) and lower profile so they didn't interfere with anything (but wouldn't even if they did stick up some). I first grinded the LED heads flat to dispurse the light better. Then just marked where they go, drilled the holes, superglued the LEDs in place and soldered. Took about 1 hour start to finish.
Another note is the 98, 99 and 00-02 consoles differ. not sure how, but I read this.
I used 8, 3mm, 7000mcd LEDs to light it up. 1 LED per letter on the shifter and gave the OD 2 LEDs. I wanted to use 8 of them to keep the wiring down to a min, plus didn't have to use any resistors as well. I also choose to use 3mm versus 5mm due to the size, my 3mm were brighter (5K vs 7K) and lower profile so they didn't interfere with anything (but wouldn't even if they did stick up some). I first grinded the LED heads flat to dispurse the light better. Then just marked where they go, drilled the holes, superglued the LEDs in place and soldered. Took about 1 hour start to finish. Another note is the 98, 99 and 00-02 consoles differ. not sure how, but I read this.
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From: Tomball/Nacogdoches TX
Why did you need 8? Wouldn't it be easier to just use the 1 led and not go into as much trouble? Seems to me like that would be an annoyance if it's that bright....but hey what do i know.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Yep you are correct, they're too bright. Compared to all my other gauges, they're twice as bright! Reason I choose to use 8 and not 4 is because LEDs are directional. Even with grinding the heads flat, up close to an object they still emit a focused beam of light. This way each letter gets its own LED so their will be no hot spots. Making them dimmer is easy as putting a resistor and that'll be done tonight after dark so I can test different size ones to get the right brightness this time..
Reason I choose to use 8 and not 4 is because LEDs are directional. Even with grinding the heads flat, up close to an object they still emit a focused beam of light. This way each letter gets its own LED so their will be no hot spots. Making them dimmer is easy as putting a resistor and that'll be done tonight after dark so I can test different size ones to get the right brightness this time.. Trending Topics
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 14
From: Vinton, Louisiana
Nope, sorry no kits. THOUGH if he has a kit for the camaro, since you'd have a camaro console it's feasible... I used individual LEDs for mine as I didn think only one would light it up enough. If it would, it wouldn't be even. I just made that assumption though.
Hell, I did know what size I used but my mind's blank. I "THINK" it was 120ohm. I actually have the rest sitting on my desk at home. Send me a PM to remind me and I'll tell you tonight
Hell, I did know what size I used but my mind's blank. I "THINK" it was 120ohm. I actually have the rest sitting on my desk at home. Send me a PM to remind me and I'll tell you tonight
