Thought I would share a very satisfying LED project to the interior of my 86 Vanden Plas.

1. As per other posts, I upgraded all the gauge lights and Opticel to LED bulbs. MUCH better. With substantial corrective vision, I need all the help I can get.

2. Slight variation to shift light indicator. I did not like the shift indicator light, in particular I found the plastic attachment to "focus" the light on the selected gear sloppy an inaccurate. I opted to light ALL the gears at once. I did this by attaching the bulb via zip tie and cloth harness tape to the gear selector base (obviously making sure I could re-attach the cover and also avoid any movement of the gear selector) . It brightens the console area nicely. I used the same wedge LED bulb as used in the tach.

3. One thing I've really grown to like in more modern cars is the ambient lighting that now washes over consoles and dashes. I first encountered in my 01 BMW and just loved it. I took a standard Pepboys green LED light, prepped it with sand paper and a few layers of translucent tape to dim it a bit and scatter the pattern. I then attached it behind the center rear view mirror, wired it along the top of the windshield, down the a pillar, behind the passenger knee panel, then up through the console and tapped into the opticel wiring.

4. Along the same lines, I added two additional dimmed LEDs, one for each rear footwell and wired into the opticel as well. They are attached on the underside of the seat with enough slack to ensure the seat can be moved.

I've included some pictures, however, they are weak at best. I will probably work on the dimming a bit, as the more subtle the better. Overall, however, I love this mod because it's seamless, easily removed, inexpensive, and remarkably satisfying!!

 

I would like more details as to how you did the shift selector so all the letters are lit.
step by step pictures would be great, then it can be added to the HOW TO MODS. Thanks.

 

I knew someone would ask about pictures!!! Of course I remembered right after I finished. Let me find a pic of the shifter and I'll highlight and post what I did.

 

Here's my sorry excuse for a diagram on how I moved the shift light to allow for the entire shift plate to light up rather than the selected gear. I only wish I took pictures. I will do next time I have the shifter moved.




It's a simple and pleasing upgrade as far as I'm concerned. Note that for the ambient lighting over the console and footwells, I added additional diffusion (black cloth harness tape) to dim the effect. It left it even more subtle, but still effective.

 

ok thanks, but stil not clear;

how is the bulb holder re-routed ? etc., etc.

 

You leave the mounting in place, just disregard it. You're essentially zip tying the bulb and socket towards the rear as shown in my s$&tty picture. There's enough slack in the existing wiring. Once you open up that area you'll see what I mean, it'll take a few seconds and it's literally as uncreative as it sounds.

 

ok thanks, will try it.