I'm planning some pretty major lighting upgrades on my 05, and I wanted to make a compilation thread so that others can reference my work. I'll be breaking down all the work into sections and I'll divide my work among the sections.
There are a few goals of this project:
There are also 3 different target areas of my work:
I'm not going to exclusively work on one section exclusively at a time. It will come in chunks as this is a daily driver (95k and counting baby, bring it on) so it can't be out of service for much more than a weekend. Here's my planned breakdown of the work. As I complete work, I'll add notes and photos and other information to each item in the index.
Previously completed:
Try to ignore the VLEDs brand whoring, I'm just kinda picky that way.
Areas of Work - Updated December 1, 2014
Pics coming soon of independent fogs + Hoen Endurance + yellow Lamin-X
Exterior Front
Exterior Rear
Interior
That's the plan as of right now. I'll keep you guys posted as I think this will be really fun and very satisfying once completed, and I really want to share the time and effort that's going into all this. If you have ideas, tips, questions, or whatever, I'd welcome them.
There are a few goals of this project:
- Functionality: I'm not adding underglow or RGB obnoxious halos. Lights must serve a saftey or utility purpose. I'll make an exception for a fancy DRL later on though.
- Dependable: I'm doing this in large chunks so that I'm not baking my headlights often. I understand that some on-the-job learning will be a necessity, but I need to be able to count on all my intended functions to work.
- Safe: The work that I do must be completely safe for myself and other drivers. That means no PNP HID, proper projector tuning and positioning, and using the proper materials and supplies (i.e. no crappy components burning out or improper heat sinks killing my LEDs).
- Consistent: I want this to be as professional as possible. Work needs to be tasteful instead of simply trying to turn heads. Light temperatures must be the same, and no lights ought to be added just for fun.
There are also 3 different target areas of my work:
- Interior (includes dashboard, dome lights, etc.)
- Exterior front (HID/LED/DRL is the main component of this)
- Exterior rear (LED is the main component of this)
I'm not going to exclusively work on one section exclusively at a time. It will come in chunks as this is a daily driver (95k and counting baby, bring it on) so it can't be out of service for much more than a weekend. Here's my planned breakdown of the work. As I complete work, I'll add notes and photos and other information to each item in the index.
Previously completed:
- Map lights: VLEDS 6k 194 (x2) (too bright!)
- Dome lights: VLEDS 6k 31mm
- Glovebox light: VLEDS 6k 194
- Ash tray light: VLEDS 6k 74
- License plate lights: VLEDS 6k 194 (x2)
- Trunk light: VLEDS 6k 31mm (x2)
- 3rd brake light: VLEDS red 194 (stock is 921)
- HVAC backlight: VLEDS red 74 (x2)
Try to ignore the VLEDs brand whoring, I'm just kinda picky that way.
Areas of Work - Updated December 1, 2014
Pics coming soon of independent fogs + Hoen Endurance + yellow Lamin-X
Exterior Front
- Mini D2S retrofit. (waiting on some hardware to install.)
- XB35 bulbs (ordered Three5 4300k D2S, will upgrade if retro goes well)
- Forgot to get high beam splitters -_-
- Tinted sidemarkers. (completed!, see Krystm's Garage tutorial)
- Upgrade to LED via cutting open.
- Probably will use some VLEDs amber 194 LEDs. I ordered them a while ago to swap in the sidemarkers...didn't know that they were sealed -_-
- Umnitza Orion V2 DRL halos (ordered!)
- Includes wiring harness. I want to get them to fade on on unlock. We'll see.
- DIY LED 1157 turn signal/corner marker bulb (next to be ordered)
- Hoen Endurance halogen fog lights (completed! pic)
- Independent fog light mod (completed!)
- Special thanks to Upashi for providing wiring diagrams for the mod
- Slaved fog lights to ignition line so I use them like DRLs. When angel eyes come I'll probably only use them for actual fog lol.
Exterior Rear
- OEM LED tail lights (not ordered)
- If I can't find a pair of used OEM, I'll get a set of Depo's
- Next-to impossible to cut open which limits retro possibilities
- DIY LED 921 3rd brake light (currently 194 red VLED)
- DIY LED 7440 amber turn signal (if prev. DIY results well)
- DIY LED 7440 6k reverse light (not started)
- Will likely jimmy an X.DRL1 from TRS into the housing, searching for one used
Interior
- Footwell lighting (if it doesn't look obnoxious...?)
- Don't want this to be bright, just enough to be helpful
- Tinted map/dome light lenses (in progress)
- I'm writing up a quick tutorial on this. Soon.
- Map lights we're too bright. Tinting those first. If it looks cool I'll do dome.
- Cupholder accent lights (if it doesn't look obnoxious)
- Need magnetic reed switch for cover to avoid light bleeding
- Needs proper diffusion throughout, rather than 2 points of light
- DIY LED power window switch lights (not started)
- Brighter drivers power window switch light ("auto" switch, not started)
- Brighter steering wheel controls (if it can be done)
That's the plan as of right now. I'll keep you guys posted as I think this will be really fun and very satisfying once completed, and I really want to share the time and effort that's going into all this. If you have ideas, tips, questions, or whatever, I'd welcome them.