I want to take the face off of my stock fj40 gauges so that I can install some LED light strips. How do you get the metal face off? I have seen pics of people that have taken it off. But no info on how it comes apart.
Taking Gauges apart
- Thread starter White Stripe
- Start date
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JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Bend the tabs in the back 
You don't have to do all to get it apart
You don't have to do all to get it apart
- Thread starter
- #3
Ok. I haven't taken the cluster out yet. Was just checking if u have to do something special. Glad it's easy thx
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Pretty easy... Just keeping the metal 'clean' looking is the difficult part
And, it doesn't take that many led's to light it up. I put a strip around the outside (maybe 12 led's) and it is plenty bright. Here is a poor pic.
But I certainly don't have any issues seeing my gauges at night anymore!
On a side note, I like my led strip lights. I've added them to my roll bar to add to the wimpy dome light. I also added them around the rain gutter (pic below). It makes setting up camp, backing up, or anything else at night much easier. And since they draw such a small amount of battery power, I don't mind leaving them on for awhile with the engine off.
But I certainly don't have any issues seeing my gauges at night anymore!
On a side note, I like my led strip lights. I've added them to my roll bar to add to the wimpy dome light. I also added them around the rain gutter (pic below). It makes setting up camp, backing up, or anything else at night much easier. And since they draw such a small amount of battery power, I don't mind leaving them on for awhile with the engine off.
Excellent idea adding led lights around the gutter. That's definitely a future project!
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
- Thread starter
- #7
Ya I'm sick of barely being able to see. I put a green strip under the dash to light up the heater better.
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
Green? Not a White Stripe?
I'm planning yellow signals and red stop strips just under the gutter on the rear corners. I like people behind me to see me when I cut them off and slam on the brakes.
I'm planning yellow signals and red stop strips just under the gutter on the rear corners. I like people behind me to see me when I cut them off and slam on the brakes.
micruz60
Unleaded Regular
Hardest part is getting the cluster out of the dash.... Finagling the speedo cable off, and then the multi connector. Once you've done that, it becomes pretty obvious. One tip is to snip off the shrouds that surround the light bulb itself, and then use led replacements. You could also do the white gauge background, sticky vinyl decal. I did this a few years ago.
Toyota - Landcruiser - Whitegauges.net
Toyota - Landcruiser - Whitegauges.net
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
I remember when just removing the shields WAS the mod
It's plenty bright just doing that
I didn't think people were taking off the shields doing the LED lights.... I thought that using the LED lights eliminated the need to butcher the cluster ?
It's plenty bright just doing that
I didn't think people were taking off the shields doing the LED lights.... I thought that using the LED lights eliminated the need to butcher the cluster ?
micruz60
Unleaded Regular
I installed some red strips on the back of mine and wired them directly to the stop light leads but they wouldn't work. They are still stuck on there. Did I miss something? Anything special you guys are doing to get those things working?
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
bj40green
Tssss, tssss
WARNING: Before you remove the cluster...... disconnect the battery !!!
If the studs from the Ammeter on the back of the cluster touches the dash........
Rudi
If the studs from the Ammeter on the back of the cluster touches the dash........
Rudi
- Thread starter
- #14
Do you have a pic of how bright your gauges are without the shrouds? I didn't know that their were some in their. I do have some 194 led bulbs laying around here. Maybe I will just do that...
THE ABOVE CANNOT POSSIBLY BE STRESSED ENOUGH!
Removing the speedometer cable at the transfer case before trying to remove the cluster makes things a lot easier.
micruz60
Unleaded Regular
I do not have a current pic, camera - less at the moment... Sorry
Excellent caution on ANY ELECTRICAL WORK, thanks to Rudi and Steve.
bj40green
Tssss, tssss
Go to post #15 in this thread: -► Clusters, Gauges, Speedo & Odo meters
In short; I removed the 4 shields/covers/shrouds, spray painted the inside white and replaced all the 3 W bulbs for the 5 Watt model.
In my opinion the LED replacement bulbs are too white. I like the yellowish light from the bulbs.
Rudi
In short; I removed the 4 shields/covers/shrouds, spray painted the inside white and replaced all the 3 W bulbs for the 5 Watt model.
In my opinion the LED replacement bulbs are too white. I like the yellowish light from the bulbs.
Rudi
Redgrrr
I have a problem with 40s
- Thread starter
- #19
Oh thanks man! Jeez it looks easy to take apart, I never really looked at it too closely when I have had it out in the past.
- Thread starter
- #20
So for those who have put auxilary lighting strips in their cluster, where did you run the wires to get power? Im thinking of leaving the bulbs out and just run the power wire through the bulb holes and then splice them into the harnes right before the round cluster plug. I guess I could also just drill a little hole to feed them through and silicone it after to seal it and leave the bulbs in to keep dust and moisture out. Dust and moisture is a big deal actually to think about.
