DIY - How to change you stock radio color

[vodkalush]

Change LCD/Radio Color

The Goal: Replace the stereo’s nasty 80’s green color with a bitch’n white (or whatever color you want - blue may cause your LCD text to display "dimmer")

Tools Needed:
- Hand’s
- butter knife
- 10mm socket
- soldering iron (with fine tip)
- solder
- small needle nose pliers/tweezers
- masking tape (or some sort of removable marker)
- 70 New LEDs (I went white for all but on each of the CD slot, which I went blue; also the closer count needed is around 64-68)

*** I ordered these White LEDS - http://www.eled.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=LEDs&category%5Fname=White+SMD+LED&product%5Fid=EPT2012RWF%2DA

*** I ordered these Blue LEDs - http://www.eled.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=LEDs&category%5Fname=Blue+SMD+LED&product%5Fid=EP2012PBC%2DA

The Guide:

1. Remove bottom of center console (pull from side)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image002.jpg
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image004.jpg

2. Remove “side skirts”; pull from bottom to the top
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image006.jpghttp://kgillette.googlepages.com/image008.jpg
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image010.jpg

3. Remove gauge “shell,” pull out
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image012.jpg

4. Remove 4 screws holding in stereo (10mm socket)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image014.jpg

5. Remove “warning/seatbelt” wiring; pinch and pull
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image016.jpg
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image018.jpg

6. Pull stereo out; pinch and pull all wires going into back of stereo (antenna not shown)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image020.jpg[

7. Bring the stereo inside to where ever you are going to work on it, make sure to choose a place free of static; or atleast be sure to ground yourself (I choose my coffee table; prob not the best place :-)) and start the disassembly. Use a butter knife to “pop” the 6 tabs (goes all around the stereo;4 in front: 2 in back)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image022.jpghttp://kgillette.googlepages.com/image024.jpg
(place stereo aside; as it’s the “board” the has the LCD and radio button LED’s)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image026.jpg

8. Remove screws holding the board to the plastic front of the stereo
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image028.jpg

9. Remove the board from the plastic housing
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image030.jpg

10. Put a piece of masking tape at the top of the LCD, then flip the board over and straighten the “pegs” holding down the LCD to the board with pliers.
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image032.jpg
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image033.jpg
Remove the LCD housing, taking note to make sure you mark every piece at the top (sorry no pics), also remove stereo knobs (mark one of the knobs, they only fit one way)

11. Un-solder the LEDs (I did a combo of un-soldering the correct way, and simply heating up the whole LED and having it “break apart”) I would google “how to un-soldering
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image034.jpg

12. This next step is what took me the longest, but is really not that hard. Time to solder the new LEDs on. On the bottom of the LEDs I ordered (eled.com) there is an arrow, point that towards the opening of the half box (see pic) and solder the new one on, you may need to add a dab of solder on the new LED (as the connection point is at the top of the LED, not the bottom)
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image036.jpg
(I used small pliers to place the new LEDs)

13. Put everything back together the way you took apart, put there stereo back in the car.
edit: when you are putting the LCD "bracket" (last part of step 10) back on the make sure that you bend the "pegs" make enough to make a good connection with the board or else the LCD wont display right (to fix this if it happens all you have to do it open everything back up and simply bend the peg (the one near the "nonworking" section of the screen) in a little more.
http://kgillette.googlepages.com/image038.jpg

I hope this helps those looking for a solution to the soylent green color of the stock stereo.

happy modding :thumbup:

(this was my 500th post :smoking: )

[paultyler_82]

This looks great! It's much the same thing that Celica owners have to do to change the color of their gauges... For those who aren't comfortable with soldering irons, for the love of god let someone else do it... I'm fairly sure Toyota wouldn't cover this one on warrantee.

[H8SGAS]

Delicious, Delicious, Delicious, Delicious!!!!!!! I need a smiley with its jaw dropped like it has just seen the Nice Ass Thread!!!

[eco]

lol

[vodkalush]

if you've never soldered in your life, buy a 12pack for a friend (after they've finished soldering :wink: )

but really, the only soldering I've done has been with wireing, they key for me was to take my time and not rush. Also I would recommend someplace a little better then a coffee table to do this :smile:

FYI - I'm taking the Gauge Cluster out tonight...

[Doc Zaius]

very impresive! nicely done!!

[ChinoCharles]

If you figure out that gague cluster, not only will I be impressed, but I will owe you one mind-altering substance of your choice.

Hey, some people don't like alcohol. Haha.

[vodkalush]

If you figure out that gague cluster, not only will I be impressed, but I will owe you one mind-altering substance of your choice.

Hey, some people don't like alcohol. Haha.

I might just take you up on that :headbang:

[KSIbucky]

that looks very hard

[ChinoCharles]

Vodkalush, I would add a comment about static to that DIY. You had the board on a wood surface which is fine, but if you do this say on carpet you're liable to fry that board. No wool either. :wink:

[Katana]

Excellent!

[vodkalush]

edited post to include comment about static, as well as added the number of LEDs needed.

[ChinoCharles]

Vodkalush, how many LED's for just the climate controls? I have an aftermarket HU.

[vodkalush]

I used this guide a basic outline (shows how to remove climate control cluster) - http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2150

and then ordered Neo Wedge Blubs from the site listed in this thread - http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2150 specificaly page 6 post 85

....

For the gear shift I used the "Tri-Power 3 LED Bulb - The Widest, 3x Brightest and Best #74 Leds Ever Made!"

The ventilation controls are the "Neo - Wedge Instrument Panel Bulbs are 10mm (3/8") diameter x 13mm (1/2") high" at $2.99 each.

http://autolumination.com/74.htm


Polarity matters with LEDs. If you put one in and it won't light - take it out and rotate it 180 degrees.


hope this helps

[vodkalush]

edited first post to include LEDs that I purchased.

[ChinoCharles]

Thanks buddy.

[Bones]

Here's a picture of all blue LEDs in the radio. In the picture the blue looks aqua, but it's a real deep good looking blue.

Thanks for all the help and info Vodka!

[paultyler_82]

Looks good! I'm sure it's just the camera washing out due to the light, but can you still read the LCD well?

[DorytheYaris]

Here's a picture of all blue LEDs in the radio.

Thanks for all the help and info Vodka!

I want blue LEDs :(

Being a girl sucks. I don't have the skills to dig into my dashboard! I'd wind up paying an arm and a leg to have someone do it for me. Gah! :frown:

[ChinoCharles]

I want blue LEDs :(

Being a girl sucks. I don't have the skills to dig into my dashboard! I'd wind up paying an arm and a leg to have someone do it for me. Gah! :frown:

Worst excuse ever, especially in this car. If you can unscrew 5 screws and you know where to pry, you can have the whole dash off in 10 minutes tops. Try it!

[DorytheYaris]

Worst excuse ever, especially in this car. If you can unscrew 5 screws and you know where to pry, you can have the whole dash off in 10 minutes tops. Try it!

I don't think I should. My friends say I destroy everything I touch. :confused:

[||)) (o) ||\||]

Im about to tackle this project tomorrow. I just received my led's this morning. Im just concerned about the size! These things are way smaller than any led I've ever dealt with soldering wise. I'll post pics soon as I'm done.

[vodkalush]

nice pics, I was wondering how blue would look behind the LCD, any daytime pics?

[Bones]

Updated pictures

[paultyler_82]

Ah, now that you've updated the pics, I can see that the LCD panel is quite visible! Looks good!

[vodkalush]

that does look nice, just a tad better then stock :smile:

great job :thumbsup:

[||)) (o) ||\||]

Heres my outcome. Blue and white. Center screen is white in the center with blue border. It blends beautifully. I ef'n love it. Thank you guys for your help!!! Gauge cluster commin next! http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q200/donmega666/Picture003.jpg

[vodkalush]

very nice~

when I finally get around to placing the order for the rest of the LEDs I need, I'll prob be doing the top half of the LCD (aka where it shows your source selection, MP3/Aux/cd/radio) in either white or blue and then the rest what ever one i didnt choose for the top...

[ChinoCharles]

HAHA you guys are unbelievably creative with this. +304 for all of you.

[||)) (o) ||\||]

very nice~

when I finally get around to placing the order for the rest of the LEDs I need, I'll prob be doing the top half of the LCD (aka where it shows your source selection, MP3/Aux/cd/radio) in either white or blue and then the rest what ever one i didnt choose for the top...


Thank you sir. It wouldnt have happened without your help. I appreciate all you do on this site! :thumbsup:

[vodkalush]

thanks :smile:

[OgDogg]

I hated the stereo more then anything on my car. I wasn't happy that I couldn't find a decent replacement that would look nice either. This mod will change the whole feel of my car and I can't wait until I grow the sac to actually try and make this happen. Great mod.

[forpinks]

I LIKE THE LIME GREEN LIGHTS THOUGH..... Kinda feels like your in a SeaHawk Helicopter:headbang: .... LOL:laugh:

[MrMondayNite]

Hey Vodka looks great, are you open to making a few bucks $$ and people like myself can ship you there radios and you can change the radio color for a fee and ship it back.:biggrin: If not I'll probably try this mod in the summer.
MrMondayNite

[vodkalush]

pm sent :wink:

[OgDogg]

Just got my LEDs in the mail. Hopefully I can get this done right this weekend. Otherwise I may be buying another stereo and hitting vodka up for an install. ;)

[ChinoCharles]

Did we establish that this cannot be done in the liftback?

If it can be, you can PM me with pricing information Vodkalush. :smile:

[vodkalush]

We havent been able to verify weither or not you can preform the LED change on a liftback gauge cluster, we need someone to take apart their LB gauge cluster and see.... 

its only take like 5mins......


come on someone......



but as far the stereo goes, it shouldnt be a problem.  

[OgDogg]

I just did mine in all blue. It was a pain in the ass and took about 2 hours start to finish. Looks great though. Gives the interior of the car a whole new feel. I'd definately recommend it to anyone with any soldering skills.

[OgDogg]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/ogdogg/BlueStereo.jpg
Here's mine done in all blue.

[ChinoCharles]

We havent been able to verify weither or not you can preform the LED change on a liftback gauge cluster, we need someone to take apart their LB gauge cluster and see....

its only take like 5mins......


come on someone......



but as far the stereo goes, it shouldnt be a problem.

OK OK, you've convinced me. Give me a few hours, a party has to clear out of my house and then ill see if I can get back there. I have to check the shifter bushings anyway.

[vodkalush]

haha!

[ChinoCharles]

Sorry I didn't get to this last night. I was intoxicated just a touch. :biggrin:

I'm kind of stuck. I got the cluster out, took the cover off and now I am staring at the back of the board, which is very flimsy and I'm afraid I'm going to break it. There are those two tabs in the center on either side of the speedo pin that free that center section, but what else am I missing?

2935

Oh, and I got that board on the left off too. I took the pic before I got that far.

[ChinoCharles]

... Probably should have thought to check the Sedan DIY, eh? :iono: :biggrin:

2938

I count 30 LED's. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

[vodkalush]

haha, just got back.... and I was gonna link you to the DIY pics... ahhhh hahaha.

Good times.

well there yah have it folks, the LB cluster colors can be changed.

[ChinoCharles]

Yeah, now I gotta figure out how to make my speedo pin work again... LOL.

Vodkalush, how much you chargin? PM me sucka! :wink: :biggrin: :thumbsup:

[vodkalush]

well my time is worth 1$100/hr....... ::bellyroll:


pming in sec.

EDIT: Was j/king :)

[ShodanSteve]

how do you take apart the radio to get to the LEDs? And where do you get the blue ones from?

[||)) (o) ||\||]

Oh boy...

[brickhardmeat]

Jezuz Krist:laughabove:

[Polish0017]

Very nice... But I'm afriad I'd screw something up. Haha.

[forpinks]

Will this mod change the screen color on the HB MP3 HUs too?

[AnZ17N]

Does anyone know how I can fix the problem with the top right of the lcd?
Do I need to resolder that one, or maybe bend the pegs more, or what?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/AnZ17N/CIMG0231.jpg

[tk-421]

how do you take apart the radio to get to the LEDs? And where do you get the blue ones from?

Now this is a great first post. :respekt:

[||)) (o) ||\||]

Does anyone know how I can fix the problem with the top right of the lcd?
Do I need to resolder that one, or maybe bend the pegs more, or what?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/AnZ17N/CIMG0231.jpg

I had the same problem a few times after I changed mine. Its just the solder points are weak. Just add some solder to them mofos

[cali yaris]

oh boy, I wish I hadn't seen this, now I have to do it. I'm going red in mine.

[vodkalush]

Does anyone know how I can fix the problem with the top right of the lcd?
Do I need to resolder that one, or maybe bend the pegs more, or what?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/AnZ17N/CIMG0231.jpg

hey AnZ17N can you get a full shot of the stereo? and as ||)) (o) ||\|| said, its most likely a weak solder point.

[AnZ17N]

Yeah, no problem. I just wanted to get those fixed, which I did, before I posted a new one and it looks great now. Thanks for all the help guys!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v461/AnZ17N/CIMG0239.jpg

[falkor_99]

that is super awesome man.:w00t:

[dlinkwit27]

Any chance of a more detailed walk through on how to take the faceplate off the LB, or is basically the same as the sedan version?

[miniboon]

awesome how to

[Arkhangel]

Has Anyone done the other kind of radio?

[cyberfrogg]

bump. ^ yeah, has anyone done the other radio? I wanna try this on my sedan but its not the same radio and I'd like to see how it looks..

[Arkhangel]

I tried it on mine. Kinda Messed up the first time didnt get all the LED's soldered on right, gonna fix that soon, also noticed to day the display sometimes goes a bit crazy, gonna check the connecters.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13984

My thread has links to the DIY/How to's i found to help me

[Boost Addicted]

Ok guys, ready for a total Yaris noob?

I'm a Volkswagen superfreak... But my girlfriend has a 2008 Yaris sedan... 5spd.

I read through this whole DIY, and its definitly something I want to do with her car to make the interior a bit more eye friendly lol.

Questions.

Is this DIY the same for her car? I heard something about sedans/liftbacks(?) are different?

I want the radio LCD screen, radio buttons, and HVAC controls to all be the same color (I wanna do white LED's). Does this require additional steps that aren't shown in this DIY?

How long did this take, approximately?


Thanks in advance! Sorry for the noobness and misunderstanding of your Yaris terms lol


PS. Shes got a different center console than most we've seen in other Yaris's... Instead of the vertical three selectors for the HVAC, its in an upside down triangle formation... Dunno if this makes a difference or not. Just thought i'd add it in.

[Boost Addicted]

Bump for a Yaris noob!

[GoneCamping]

Wow, I need to do this on my wife's car.. Have the skills and all, being in the electronics industry... That sick green look has to go...

Question: We have an '11 4-door sedan with the power doors/windows package (w/o cruise-control, which I'll be adding, having seen that other DIY...) I noticed that the electric mirror adjustment buttons and the door panel buttons don't have any illumination at all. Has anyone taken these apart to see if a LED could fit behind these buttons/switches? I'd have to route a wire to them, I know, but are these button faces translucent to begin with (so a LED glued/installed behind will shine through?)

Thanks!

[CTScott]

Wow, I need to do this on my wife's car.. Have the skills and all, being in the electronics industry... That sick green look has to go...

Question: We have an '11 4-door sedan with the power doors/windows package (w/o cruise-control, which I'll be adding, having seen that other DIY...) I noticed that the electric mirror adjustment buttons and the door panel buttons don't have any illumination at all. Has anyone taken these apart to see if a LED could fit behind these buttons/switches? I'd have to route a wire to them, I know, but are these button faces translucent to begin with (so a LED glued/installed behind will shine through?)

Thanks!

I have one of the power mirror switches sitting on my desk, so I just popped it apart to check. The button faces are completely opaque (the white is silkscreened on top). If it was translucent, there would be enough space under the arrow pad for LEDs, but not under the L/R switch.

[yarisdriver86]

this might be a weird question but does anyone know where you can possibly buy that board? i cracked my screen and i wanted to replace just the board if i could does anyone know where i could find it?

[CTScott]

this might be a weird question but does anyone know where you can possibly buy that board? i cracked my screen and i wanted to replace just the board if i could does anyone know where i could find it?

You'd have to buy a radio from ebay, junkyard, etc. and harvest the board.

[Tomatogrower]

very cool! I'll have to do some mods so mine