Blue gauge cluster/start button color swap, 56k Killer

[AppleBonker]

if you think that 400 is to much for this work thats fine, i dont have to do this [...] i could be chilling with my boys getting drunk instead of doing this.

surmanm, don't feel the need to justify yourself. I wouldn't mind learning how to do this, but I have a feeling I'd destroy my first few attempts. At that rate, it might come out cheaper for me to pay someone (who obviously has the ability) to do this for me. If this isn't worth your time, by all means don't do it. But, I will gladly pay you to do this (when I have the money) if you're still interested.

Let me run this by you, cause this is what I was thinking. My Alpine head unit has all blue LEDs, so I'd like to tie the rest of the car into this. For the gauge cluster, I'd like to have blue rings and blue screens (where the trip computer and odometer are), but leave the white mph markings, orange kmph marking and red/orange needles. Then, it'd be nice to get the door controls (locks and windows) blue as well in addition to the climate control units in blue. Not sure if this would be possible, but since it seems like the needles and the mph markings are probably the hardest part (though I could obviously be wrong), would this make it any easier on you or cheaper?

Also, what are your thoughts on the compass on the rearview? I'm assuming it works the same way.

Then, I can probably change out the mood light (or whatever it's called) and the heated seats lights on my own. Would any/all of this be doable? Thanks in advance!

[Infantry1327]

"NICOCLUB is slowly changing.. and many folks don't like it"

ur right it is DOC i wounder why??

Yo homie calm down. This is a cool mod and everyone hear believes you when you say it is a difficult task. I am sure that alot of people hear will pay you to do this and it is really cool that you are investing your own money in spare parts so there is know wait time. But doc likes to do things himself and has the technical knowledge to complete this project on his own. I would like to do this mod myself but I am lacking the technical knowledge (for now) but I may just get some random old dash kits to practice on before I touch my baby. I am new to the modding world but I am trying to learn and do everything I can. So good luck with this and I am sure you will make alot of people happy.

[surmanm]

Where did you pick up all the spare parts? I've got an electrical engineer (aka boyfriend) who's dying to try to do this, but I refuse to let him touch the coupe. After all, it's my car and he doesn't have the most experience. At the same time, if I could pick up a spare, he could have fun with that and just maybe get something close to what you've done accomplished.

Thanks for offering the service. I might yet make use of it if by the time I'm ready to do the swap you're still be doing this. Assuming that nothing decent comes out of the project.

Can't wait for a Brooklyn meet to see it in person

ebay oreder it form ebay and my local nissan service parts..... as for the meet i cant wait either im just waiting for brandon to finish my dual projectors.

To all they naysayers: Guys, seriously...if someone wants to pay for this, then they will. How many people here are actually familiar with soldering surface mounted components? I'm sure alot of folks don't even know what that means! So, that being said, if they really want to change their gauge cluster lighting they'll pay for it. Freemarket 'n all...It's obviously a fair bit of work that not everyone can do (at least not without a bit of guidance, anyway...).So...drop it.

Surmanm, kudos to you for having the balls to try this...it turned out great.A brief walkthough of what you did would be nice so that those of us who are more adventurous could try this at their own peril. Also, are you noticing any problems with the needles like domdada did?

Oh...and do you think purple/UV LEDs would be bright enough for this?

thanks man... basically you remove the gauge cluster remove the bezel needles and face plate take a picture of the position of the needles when the car is on so you can reseat the needles, after rip apart the gauge cluster to the bare bone circuit board. desolder all leds and resolder the blue one put it all together the same way you took it part and that's it. be very careful taking of the needles dont bend the pin my needles are fine..yeah i think they would be bright enough the uv leds. my personal opinion i would leave my brightness a little more then half way. it looks good.

surmanm, don't feel the need to justify yourself. I wouldn't mind learning how to do this, but I have a feeling I'd destroy my first few attempts. At that rate, it might come out cheaper for me to pay someone (who obviously has the ability) to do this for me. If this isn't worth your time, by all means don't do it. But, I will gladly pay you to do this (when I have the money) if you're still interested.

Let me run this by you, cause this is what I was thinking. My Alpine head unit has all blue LEDs, so I'd like to tie the rest of the car into this. For the gauge cluster, I'd like to have blue rings and blue screens (where the trip computer and odometer are), but leave the white mph markings, orange kmph marking and red/orange needles. Then, it'd be nice to get the door controls (locks and windows) blue as well in addition to the climate control units in blue. Not sure if this would be possible, but since it seems like the needles and the mph markings are probably the hardest part (though I could obviously be wrong), would this make it any easier on you or cheaper?

Also, what are your thoughts on the compass on the rearview? I'm assuming it works the same way.

Then, I can probably change out the mood light (or whatever it's called) and the heated seats lights on my own. Would any/all of this be doable? Thanks in advance!

yeah man basically like you said without having to do the needles its alot easier cuz the needles themselves are a pain either way you still have to take them of in order to take the white plastic covering of. yeah the climate control can be change and the window buttons also about the compass on the mirror i would assume its the same type of lcd screen on it as on the gauge cluster just different size smd leds i just don't have that mirror with the compass on my car so i wouldn't know

Yo homie calm down. This is a cool mod and everyone hear believes you when you say it is a difficult task. I am sure that alot of people hear will pay you to do this and it is really cool that you are investing your own money in spare parts so there is know wait time. But doc likes to do things himself and has the technical knowledge to complete this project on his own. I would like to do this mod myself but I am lacking the technical knowledge (for now) but I may just get some random old dash kits to practice on before I touch my baby. I am new to the modding world but I am trying to learn and do everything I can. So good luck with this and I am sure you will make alot of people happy.

word i feel you your right, i understand what you mean. thanks man i appreciate the encouraging words..

[rjdmmfl1]

ill tell you this much this project requires alot of work especially if your changing the needles because not only do you have to get ride of the orange on the needles and repaint them to blue or whatever other color you want, you also have to resoldier the orange leds and as you see they are a pain because they are ridiculous close to the needle pin and just a pain to work with. if you think that 400 is to much for this work thats fine, i dont have to do this, i also don't really care that much if i dont make money from this because that's not why i originally did this, i enjoy doing this stuff this is my hobby, i have a job as a electrical engineer in a tv station so i dont need to be doing this for the money and this takes alot of time here you go here is a picture of the lights whoever thinks they can do this go for it if your familiar with soldering surface mounted leds you shouldn't have any problem and maybe you want to offer to do this to the nice people on our forum for cheaper you should do that cuz it would not be worth my time to do someone else lights for any cheaper i lose a whole day doing this crap and now that i think about it i was just telling brian the other night this is to stressful i dont need this i could be chilling with my boys getting drunk instead of doing this. its really not worth my time so doc or whoever make it faster go buy all the leds extra gauge cluster start button window buttons and do it offer it to the people faster and cheaper

"NICOCLUB is slowly changing.. and many folks don't like it"

ur right it is DOC i wounder why??

I think you may have misunderstood my post, if you re-read it, I was only shaking my head at the lack of a write up on how to do this, because I like doing things like this, but then I thought about it, and realized that

A. the average beginner modder should NOT try this, that's why I said leave it to the professionals, like you!

B. There's nothing wrong with making money off of a mod like this... if this takes as long as I think it does, you are probably undercharging alot, especially if this is not your only job, spare time mods are more difficult, trust me, I know!

When I said I would take a crack at it if I get the time, it wasn't meant to try to start doing this and selling it cheaper, I meant just for me. No way in h*ll would I take orders for this, looks like it would be waaayyy too time demanding to mass produce.

So again, no need to explain anything to anybody, I think you just took my third post the wrong way, I will not be doing this mod for anyone but myself, and if you decide to sell it, I will NOT post a how to write up, but if you don't sell it and only if you don't sell it, then I may attempt this and post a how to for other folks. This is your world homie, I'm just passing through!

[surmanm]

word. my bad DOC i miss understood the intent of your post, and ur right i bugged out for no reason i think i was just cranky early in the morning cuz i was up till 2am yesterday trying to figure out the right size smd led for the temp control, thanks for acting so professionally about this. no hard feelings

[Infantry1327]

"NICOCLUB is slowly changing.. and many folks don't like it"

ur right it is DOC i wounder why??

I agree 100% Doc has been very selfish and self centered and always has a wise remark, really nothing to contribute but his ego. now I will get a rash of sh*t for posting my opinion.

you really just posted that for your first post. Not cool Try contributing something before you talk sh:t. There is no need for you to come on hear and start sh:t when you have done nothing for this community.

[rjdmmfl1]

I agree 100% Doc has been very selfish and self centered and always has a wise remark, really nothing to contribute but his ego. now I will get a rash of sh*t for posting my opinion.

dude, who the f*ck are you... looks like either nighttrain, or mh1170 to me....lol

nothing to contribute?

How many write ups have you done? how many custom mods have you provided for people? How many folks have you ansered questions for? How many people have you kept from getting banned on this forum?

Try doing any number of those things, and then get back at me!
Modified by rjdmmfl1 at 2:11 PM 9/26/2008

[ESP]

Doc, I am not "nighttrain or mhm1170" I have had my coupe for about a year now and just recently some one put a note on my car refering to this club. I am not as young as you guys but I have enjoyed sitting back reading all of your interesting and help full posts. Yes........... some have been very help full and other have not. I thank those of you who have contributed in a positive mature way and keep it up.

Doc, I believe my point has been validated by the way you responded to my post today................ this is what I expected from you, thank you..........

Ok..........guys this will be my first and last post good luck with your cars, have fun and remember this is a public forum.

Cool. See ya, bucko.

[rjdmmfl1]

Its Mike munoz, it is you....didn't we already ban you from this site... what the heck are you doing back.... LOL...LOL...LOL

I see you created another username...LOL...

Dude, you are 37 years old, and still starting s*it with people on the internet... get a life, get some friends, go be productive some place else... we got rid of you once, you were unproductive then, and you're still unproductive!!!!

[rjdmmfl1]

word. my bad DOC i miss understood the intent of your post, and ur right i bugged out for no reason i think i was just cranky early in the morning cuz i was up till 2am yesterday trying to figure out the right size smd led for the temp control, thanks for acting so professionally about this. no hard feelings

Its all good mike, as we've learned, tone can sometimes get lost over the internet... no hard feelings my dude!

[adidas2go]

Yea, thats mhm1170 from way back. This is acutally the 3rd name he has created. Its ashame a 37 year old would go through these lengths to make retarded gouges at people. O well, have it your way Mike. IP Ban it is

[Infantry1327]

ok, now that the 37 year old virgin is gone. Lets get this thread back on track.

[AZhitman]

Doc, I am not "nighttrain or mhm1170" I have had my coupe for about a year now and just recently some one put a note on my car refering to this club.

Fail.

[dldjros69]

wow that clown ruined an epic thread.

[losenone]

Whens the next meet in BK? I wanna see this in person.

[rjdmmfl1]

wow that clown ruined an epic thread.

I know right... surmann does a mod that many folks have asked about, we're all excited about it... and MIke Munoz comes back from his 2nd ban, and ruins the thread...

oh yeah, read this...

dude, who the f*ck are you... looks like either nighttrain, or mh1170 to me....lol

and read this

Doc, I am not "nighttrain or mhm1170"

I misspelled the username, but you correctly spelled it like it was when you used it... the only way you could have know the way mhm1170 spelled his name is.... if you were him!!!!

[Infantry1327]

nice catch, that dude is an idiot and probably just got his buddys computer banned from this site. lol

[ursus]

Wow. This is probably the greatest internet pwnage moment as far as i can remember.

THIS IS SPARTAAAAAAAAAA.

[fullvietFX]

I've seen something similar like this been done before, and there is a tremendous amount of work involved. So don't open your mouths about the price if you don't anything about it. To the OP excellent work.

[rjdmmfl1]

I've seen something similar like this been done before, and there is a tremendous amount of work involved. So don't open your mouths about the price if you don't anything about it. To the OP excellent work.

Uhh yeah... Thanks for chiming in but I think we've cleared up the misunderstanding ... Everyone recognizes the work that went into this

[surmanm]

guys i need some input im ordering more led's i need to know what colors i should order?? red,blue,white,green ? or no green

i have an idea what if i make the lcd display multi color put 2 rows of red 2 rows of green and 2 rows of blue lol . actually i know they sell these RGB surface mounted leds each individual led has all 3 colors in it, ohhh the possibility's . im excited

omg look what i found i am so going to try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BxfNWPz5_U

im definitely not going to sleep tonight now. and i think im talking to myself cuz everyone is offline on the forum.

[milkacaduke]

guys i need some input im ordering more led's i need to know what colors i should order?? red,blue,white,green ? or no green

i have an idea what if i make the lcd display multi color put 2 rows of red 2 rows of green and 2 rows of blue lol . actually i know they sell these RGB surface mounted leds each individual led has all 3 colors in it, ohhh the possibility's . im excited

omg look what i found i am so going to try this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BxfNWPz5_U

im definitely not going to sleep tonight now. and i think im talking to myself cuz everyone is offline on the forum.

that is sick !!!

it would be too damn pretty for me to watch the road!!!!

[ESP]

grrrrrrrr...just bought dual projectors...not enough money...

What size of SMD are these, if you don't mind my asking? (They come in different sizes, don't they?). I think I might try this on my own over the winter months if I can find my old soldering gear.

[surmanm]

grrrrrrrr...just bought dual projectors...not enough money...

What size of SMD are these, if you don't mind my asking? (They come in different sizes, don't they?). I think I might try this on my own over the winter months if I can find my old soldering gear.

yeah me to i also just bought the duals i cant wait but in the mean time since my car is parked in my garage without lights im not driving anywhere i might as well mess with it .. dam in order for me to do this i need to figure out what type or rgb controller i will need and how i would rig this
Modified by surmanm at 2:54 PM 12/17/2008

[Infantry1327]

if you could make it to where they change color by speed, that would be insane. Go from white to blue to orange and to red. If you can do this, I will buy these things off you in a heartbeat. Or make it so they change color everytime the car shifts.

[ESP]

3.2Lx2.8Wx1.8H mm ... yeah me to i also just bought the duals i cant wait but in the mean time since my car is parked in my garage without lights im not driving anywhere i might as well mess with it .. dam in order for me to do this i need to figure out what type or rgb controller i will need and how i would rig this

Dude...you're a good, good man! Thanks for the info.I'm looking forward to seeing how crazy you'll get with this!

Infantry:That would be INSANE!!!Surmanm, if you could rig that up...

[surmanm]

no problem im not really worried to much about giving dimensions and what not you can email if you need any advice , plus not to many people are going to be doing this. yo i have so many new ideas now this just popped into my head while asking you guys what color leds i should order. by the way no one responded to that .....these rgb leds the possibility are endless basically you have small programing micro controller (integrated circuit) connected to all those rgb leds and you can program this chip using your computer and some basic C code to produce any color or image whatever you can think of. dammit i definitely not going to sleep now, i could have did this tomorrow,but no i had to go to the computer and press the refresh button..

[losenone]

it would be interesting if you could make the lights run across the top of the arc and follow the needle as you go faster. so for instance, the background is solid white and as you go faster it fills up red or blue and goes back down as the speed goes down.

now THAT would be something lol

[surmanm]

it would be interesting if you could make the lights run across the top of the arc and follow the needle as you go faster. so for instance, the background is solid white and as you go faster it fills up red or blue and goes back down as the speed goes down.

now THAT would be something lol

your right thats an great idea im going to look into it. what i would need to figure out is were on the circuit board does the signal for say for example the rpm and speed come from cuz then i would be able to hook up that signal to a micro controller and daisy chain all the rdg leds to it. i desperately need more gauge cluster if anyone know were a could get them please let me no my only solution for now is getting them from nissan parts and each cluster is $234 and the cluster for mt is 270

[rjdmmfl1]

surmann, i'm pretty sure you're gonna wow us with your final results..to everyone else, if you're gonna try this, please find a junk unit, or buy a unit to practice on first... solering sfm led's is not something a beginner modder should try on their only wokrking dash kit!