bbgunn11

I've seen a lot of threads about this but they're all un helpful.
I've been looking into a bunch of different ways to achieve what I want but I'm not sure how to do any of them for my 91.
I think putting in some Leds or a neon tube is the best way to go but I need cheap and simple. I was planning on having them come on when the doors are open, and be able to turn them on while driving if I feel like it. I also want to add some lights to the back seats because the only other light would be the hatch.

I'm not sure if there is lights already installed seeing as none come on when I turn the dome on. Where can I buy some led strips, in canada, that will work well?

Project 3.4 Camaro

I'm against LED strips or neon tubes imo, looks tacky/rice/cheap etc. Just swap out some of the bulbs for LED bulbs, there should be one on each footwell, not at all hard to get to, I also don't think you should put any by the backseats, there is just no need to have light back there imo, and if you do need light there, the dome will cover it, but if you had lights back there at night it would get on your nerves and be distracting while driving, just don't see the point or need for lights there personally, if you really want more or different colored light there, just put some LEDs into the dome light. If you search electronics or interior board there is a thread for swapping LEDs into gauge clusters, there is a tech article on the site for it as well, same concept different bulbs.

camaronewbie

I have LED's in my car, and I don't find them tacky at all - especially since you can't see them without actually getting upside down in my floorboards - they just make a glow in the floorboards.

My car is HOK Kandy Teal green, so I used green colored LED's inside. I used 3 inch flexible LED strips in the front floorboards, and I used the LED windshield washer nozzles for the rear floorboards. I also used a license plate bolt LED in the center console so it is lit inside at night. I have them wired so that they come on with the opening of the doors, as well as come on when the headlights are on.

The effect is really nice (IMO). The 3inch strips have adhesive on the back, simply stick up on panel under the dash. The windshield washer nozzles - I drilled a hole in the rear corners of the center console, and installed them so that they point down. They are black, and I have a black interior, so you don't even see them there (even in daylight really), but they direct green light downwards into the floorboards at night, so as to not blind anyone. The license bolt LED is simply bolted through the center console hole in the very front - in 1984/1985 Camaros had a center console clock, and the adjustment **** came through a hole in the console - that's where I have the bolt installed - a perfect fit, and shines light into the console rather than into your face.

Wiring with the headlamps is easy - in your fuse block, you'll have several slots that are single slots (won't accept a fuse since a fuse has two "legs") - the slots were given to us from GM for accessories such as this - a standard 1/4inch male spade connector fits right in the slot. They are marked IGN, LPS, RADIO, BAT, and they get power as follows:

IGN = Ignition = gets 12v+ when key is ON
LPS = Lamps = gets 12v+ when headlights are on
RADIO = Radio = gets 12v+ when key is either ON or in ACC position
BAT = Battery = gets 12v+ ALL TIMES

So, to have lights light up with headlamps, simply connect neg leads together and to any ground, and connect positive leads together, splice to a wire that leads to fuse block, crimp on a male spade connector, and insert into the LPS slot.

Now - door opening is a bit trickier. The door opening activates the door switch which provides the ground to all the interior lights, not the positive (interior lights have a direct battery connection always, and the door switches turn on/off the ground). So a relay is necessary to convert the ground activation to a power activation.

Standard auto relays (SPDT) have 5 terminals, marked 85, 86, 87, 87a, and 30. To change from a grounding "switch" to a positive "switch" the relay gets wired as follows:

85 = ground (wire from door switch)
86 = 12v+ always
87 = 12v+ OUT to your lights
87a = not used
30 = 12v+ always

The circuit: When not activated, the relay is sending the 12v+ from terminal 30 to terminal 87a - but we aren't using 87a, so it "goers" nowhere, no draw, no drain, just a dead end. Terminal 86 has 12v+ always ... when the door is opened, the ground is made via the door switch, which connects 85 to a ground source, thus the relay is "activated", when "activated", the relay takes the 12v+ from terminal 30 and "switches" it from terminal 87a (the dead end) to terminal 87 (our lights).

To combine the door operation, AND the headlights operation, gets trickier yet. If you simply combine the two circuits, in the end, when the doors are opened, 12v+ will "backfeed" from the door ops relay, through your new lights, and into the headlight circuit, thus feeding 12v+ to the headlight circuit every time the doors are opened. This makes the headlights/park lights come on everytime the doors are opened (took me an hour and 2 Excedrin to figure this one out).

So, another relay is needed, placed between the door circuit, and the headlamps circuit, to keep the door "switch" from 'backfeeding' power to the headlamps circuit. This relay is placed between the headlamps circuit and our lights, so that there is no power connection between our lights and the headlamp circuit unless the relay has been activated by the headlamps.

To do this, another relay same type used, and wired as: 85 = any ground, 86 = 12v+ from LPS slot in fuse block, 87a not used, 87 = 12v+ OUT to our lights, and 30 = 12v+ always.

So, the entire process:

You walk to car, and open door. Door switch makes a ground, which is sent to the DOOR RELAY on 85, where 86 already has 12v+, thus DOOR RELAY is activated, 12v+ is switched from 87a to 87, thus sending 12v+ to our lights. The 12v+ cannot "backfeed" to the headlamps because the HEADLAMPS RELAY is not activated, thus there's no connection between our lights and the headlamps. Shut the door, ground no longer present at door switch, DOOR RELAY not activated, and our lights go out.

Then start the car, and turn on the headlamps. The LPS slot gets 12v+, which is sent to our HEADLAMPS RELAY on 86, 85 already has a ground, thus the HEADLAMPS RELAY is activated, switching the 12v+ from 87a to 87, and thus our lights get power. No power backfeeds to the door circuit because the DOOR RELAY is not activated (doors closed). And there is no issue with having the doors opened at the same time the headlamps are on, since everything that should be getting 12v+ is getting it.

Hope all that helps! Good luck!

Project 3.4 Camaro

I'm not against LEDs, I just the led STRIPS if visible would look tacky, if you can hide them and still get the light where you want it, there's nothing wrong with that, but for example, my one roommate in college, had a brother who put neon tubes in his lebaron, it looked kind of tacky imo, the effect is cool, but when you can see the tube or LED strip, it looks crappy. As long as you can hide it, its fine though.

bbgunn11

It would be hidden. I would never put lights you can see. It's EXTREMELY tacky

bbgunn11

camaronewbie, Thank you! That is going to help me so much! Where did you buy the strips. I've seen some on ebay and such but for the way you described which ones should I buy? I want red ones.

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

http://www.superbrightleds.com/
Go here to find all the bulbs to the vehicle...... http://www.superbrightleds.com/vehic...ulb_finder.php

Project 3.4 Camaro

Sounds like we have the same thoughts on that then, lol, I LOVE the different light color, and overall effect they can give, but if you leave the hardware visible it just looks tacky as all hell. I myself plan to swap some LEDs into my gauge cluster, HVAC control, and shift selector, and probably the footwells and dome light as well. Probably going to do purple or red, just not sure purple would be bright enough but its definitely my preferred choice of color.

bbgunn11

I'm hoping to do all of that too, the dome, shifter, gauges and even my trunk light.
I've seen some guys doing purple LED's on another website, looks really cool. He had some blue tint with it too.
This is perfect to me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA63BiRK4Fk

camaronewbie

I got my strips and such from local Advance store - but they've changed parts/vendors since then and not sure if they still caryy the small strips - but plenty online. I get alot of stuff on ebay - ships from China and have to wait a week or two to receive, but the patience pays off - most items sell for under $2 with free shipping (if you can wait).

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Has anyone tried the festoon type LEDs in their dome lights?

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...toon.html%23hp

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

I was thinking the same thing too! I know that there was one member that put some white leds in his rearview mirror. He said that it was brighter than the bulb. I also heard that the dome LED is far superior because since there is no heat with the LEDs on, a new dome light cover will not turn into that orange-brownish tint that occurs in time. If I was financially stable with a wife who didn't freak out about my spending habits, I would of had my WHOLE IROC with LEDs, inside and out.

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

Unfortunately, I only have my cluster with blue LED's.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

I also plan on having a full LED interior. I had done it on my previous car, a 96 Thunderbird. When all is done and hidden properly it really adds a unique aspect to the car. I wonder how white LEDs would look across the whole interior. White LEDs are more of a 6000k color where as incandescent bulbs are 3500k. A whiteish-blue would probably be really sleek.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

Well this thread has inspired me, lol. Just ordered myself a full set of LEDs for my interior. I am going with "cool-white 6000K". I used www.v-leds.com for all of my bulbs besides the dome light, which I bought off Ebay. As soon as they arrive and I get them in, I'll have pics for all to see.

bbgunn11

White looks really cool! I've seen some pictures on other boards

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

Yea I had blue in my old car but that was a little much for some people, even me. Haha. This time I wanted to go with something a little less obnoxious.

camaronewbie

I have LED panels in my dome and in my hatch light - but not those tiny festoon bulbs linked above. In my dome, I have a 36 LED panel, and in my hatch I have a 27 LED panel. They are really really bright! You can read by them, for hours!

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

I am going to swap the dome and hatch one with LED panels. Bright multiple LEDs everywhere else

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I ordered a 3 watt festoon type bulb from Autolumination for my dome light, it has three big "high power" 1 watt LED's in it. I'll post pics after I get it.

I ordered some 5 LED T10's for my courtesy lights as well, all in white.

MSRed91Camaro

iTrader: (2)

subscribing

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

Hopefully all will be done and posted by the end of the week.

jchaussee

Can't Wait to see

bbgunn11

Went to a couple of local stores, definitely cheaper to buy online, even with the duty and shipping..

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

All done. Bought them all online. For my footwell lights they're a 914 bulb with three forward facing LEDs and claim to be the brightest avaliable to consumers for 914's. I dont't doubt this. I have never seen so much light from such a small bulb. I've got a panel LED with a festoon adapter for my dome. And I'm using forward facing LEDs for the mirror lights. All a nice 6000K

These pictures are a terrible representation, I'll try taking some tonight.

Project 3.4 Camaro

Does that headunit have a purple light when its on? If so what brand is it? I plan to do purple LEDs in my interior, and have kind of wanted a headunit to go with, but have never seen one with purple light, but yours appears to have a purple screen...my sony is blue, wouldn't clash per say, but purple would be nice as long as its still a decent headunit..

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

I love my headunit. The screen lights up a puple-blue color and it is a Kenwood KDC-348U. Has awesome iPod connectivity and control, also has a USB and aux input on front. Lot's of tuning controls, sounds great. About 120 bucks. Not too bad. Sounds good hooked up to my Alpines all around.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

I had purple LEDs in my tbird, and believe it or not, they appear more blue than purple. They do look extremly unique though.

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

since the thread is titled "Footwell lighting etc", I need some help identifing the location of a bulb holder which I believe goes somewhere under the dash. So if someone can help me with the issue, I ll post it up on a new thread so that this thread doesnt get hi-jacked. Thanks guys.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...ml#post4992196

bbgunn11

Looks pretty good! It may just be the pictures but the opposite side from the bulbs doesnt seem to be getting lit up much. As of now I am going to order a 30 High Power LED Flexible Light Strip. It can be cut into smaller fragments and it's a good price.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...-flexible.html

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

Not a bad idea. All you'll have to do is wire it into the steplights on each side and you'll have some killer illumination.

bbgunn11

Hopefully. I'll post some pics when I get them. Probably won't be for a week or two.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

Darn Mike, you got those bulbs fast! Still waiting on mine.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

Yea I couldn't believe how quickly they came. Ordered them around 2am on Monday, they were at my house on Wednesday. With STANDARD shipping too.

bbgunn11

On a different but relevant topic, how many LED's would I have to order for my dash/console? I was thinking about buying some WLED-x4-x: 4 LED T10 Wedge Base Bulbs but I don't know how many I need.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

I believe a Firebird dash takes 11 bulbs. And wide angle will work best to illuminate the gauge faces.

bbgunn11

How many for an rs?

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

I want to say 8 if memory serves me correctly. Don't want to sound like a jerk, but do a search on LED dash lights cuz there is a big thread on here which describes stuff in detail. I just can't find it right now
It was very informative and had pictures of what colors people had chosen, primarily Camaros

bbgunn11

I think I know which one. Thank you for answering :P
It's going to take a while but i'm slowly learning everything about my car haha

bbgunn11

Ordered my lights today, should be here within the next two weeks. I got my dash/dome/footwell lights.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I put mine in yesterday, the footwell lights are okay, but the festoon type LED isn't that bright, it was a little too big to fit in the socket as well. I'll probably order the LED card type thing latter.

I did put some foil hvac tape inside my hush panel lights to make them reflect better. I suppose tin foil would also work.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

Where did you order them from that it takes two weeks to get here?

And instead of a festoon LED I went with a panel of LEDs that plugs into the standard dome socket.

bbgunn11

Ordered from Superbright and since I live in Canada I ordered it with snail mail. If chose ups it would have cost more for the shipping than for the order.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

Oh I gotcha.

My next project will have to be dash LEDs. I'm just not looking forward to the task of tearing apart my dash. Or is it fairly simple to replace the bulbs?

80schild

iTrader: (5)

It's fairly simple, just remove the dash pad and the plastic shroud around gauges, then you'll see 6 (or maybe 8) screws that hold in the cluster. Just tilt it forward and pull it out. I did have to lower my column a bit to make it easier, but I already had my plastics off, so it was no big deal.

I replaced my old dim 168's with fresh new 194's, it made a BIG difference. If I ever go LED in there I'll probably go with red, to look like newer Pontiacs.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

I'll definatley have to give this a shot then! I too would go With red LEDs to replace the tired looking orange ones. Now I want to do the dash if it isn't too hard. Lol

bbgunn11

It was interesting to do, i'll say that. It isn't a huge time consumer but it took a while because getting the light **** was a hassle and after struggling for a long time the wheel had to come off.

Mike92Firebird

iTrader: (3)

So you've switched the dash lights before? What light **** are you talking about? And I also thought the wheel didn't have to come off.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I think bbgun has a Camaro which has the pull out **** for the headlights, you won't have to worry about that with a Firebird.

bbgunn11

Yeah, for a firebird it is quicker, my dad was helping me and he was like "WTF!". He used to have a firebird so it was a bit different. The wheel didnt HAVE to come off but to get it out without wrecking anything it was the safe thing to do.