LED Retrofit
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LED Retrofit
I haven't seen on any forum where this modification has been discussed for the 07-10 Expys. I just ordered a bunch of 194, 74 and 44mm LEDs and have begun the change out process. Last night I did the two front maplights (194) the two rear interior lights (194) and the rear hatch light (44mm) and the glovebox light (194). All look great - dimming function still works as well.
It appears the mirror puddle lamps are sealed units... has anyone upgraded these to LED?
I am going to tackle the license plate lights and pull the cluster to see if it will be possible to change out those lights this weekend.
The LEDs in the climate control unit and the 6 large buttons at the top of the central stack appear to be integrated and unchangeable.
Anyone care to chime in?
I am also going to install an HID kit in the foglamps this weekend. I would do the headlights as well, but don't want to lose the "flash to pass" capability.
It appears the mirror puddle lamps are sealed units... has anyone upgraded these to LED?
I am going to tackle the license plate lights and pull the cluster to see if it will be possible to change out those lights this weekend.
The LEDs in the climate control unit and the 6 large buttons at the top of the central stack appear to be integrated and unchangeable.
Anyone care to chime in?
I am also going to install an HID kit in the foglamps this weekend. I would do the headlights as well, but don't want to lose the "flash to pass" capability.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
sounds neat. got any pictures of them lit up?
I've seen some people go through and change out the radio and instrument cluster LED's before. but that requires soldering and alot of in-depth work.
what colors are you running?
btw, the puddle lamps on my Expy have a removeable cover...didn't look at the bulb, but I remember playing with that lens
I've seen some people go through and change out the radio and instrument cluster LED's before. but that requires soldering and alot of in-depth work.
what colors are you running?
btw, the puddle lamps on my Expy have a removeable cover...didn't look at the bulb, but I remember playing with that lens
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
This was done on a Mustang...but the basics are essentially identical. The radio should almost exact.
"How To" - Change Interior LEDs - MustangForums.com
"How To" - Change Interior LEDs - MustangForums.com
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Those puddle lamps look like a removable cover, but when you use the release tab it just lets you drop the whole unit, which is connected to the car by two push on connectors. The manual says "see dealer" for bulb replacement, which leads me to believe its a specialized unit. Seems like a waste of money to me.
Thanks for the mustang guide, which is certainly 100% applicable to the Expy, but that is a LOT of delicate work... far more than I think I'm capable of.
I'm running bright white in all the interior lights now, and plan on changing the cluster lights to white as well. The green is dim and dated. If I was going to do all the controls I would definitely do them in blue.
Thanks for the mustang guide, which is certainly 100% applicable to the Expy, but that is a LOT of delicate work... far more than I think I'm capable of.
I'm running bright white in all the interior lights now, and plan on changing the cluster lights to white as well. The green is dim and dated. If I was going to do all the controls I would definitely do them in blue.
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Well, the LED / HID retrofit is almost complete. I picked up a pair of light smoke LED taillights on ebay and installed them this weekend. Surprisingly high quality and great fit. Plus they look great with the Limited headlights. Much more upscale look than stock. I have also installed two HID kits... one in the fogs, and one in the headlights. The kit I bought for the headlights also has a "piggybacked" halogen highbeam, so I do not lose the flash-to-pass feature. Fairly easy install and the light quality is awesome.
I've also changed the front corners and license plate bulbs to LEDs, both 194's.
I think I've also come up with a solution for some of the dash lights. All of the cluster and center stack LEDs are integrated, so umless you want to commit to a lot of time and soldering, you're stuck with 1982 green. I did, however, find a center stack from an 08 Navigator online fairly cheap. I'm going to see about changing out some of the circuit boards (climate control and 6 big buttons) for the Navigator counterparts which are lit white.
Just a quick update.
I've also changed the front corners and license plate bulbs to LEDs, both 194's.
I think I've also come up with a solution for some of the dash lights. All of the cluster and center stack LEDs are integrated, so umless you want to commit to a lot of time and soldering, you're stuck with 1982 green. I did, however, find a center stack from an 08 Navigator online fairly cheap. I'm going to see about changing out some of the circuit boards (climate control and 6 big buttons) for the Navigator counterparts which are lit white.
Just a quick update.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Plant City, Florida
___ LED Upgrade ___
As for the mirror lights, some 2008 and newer have factory installed LED's.
If your truck is not equiped and you decide to change to LED type, the mirror glass must first be removed in order to access the lamp assembly and bulb. '08 and up style mirrors CANNOT be removed from the outside, you will break the tabs on the light housing.
Interior light upgrade - I changed out the factory 194's 'incandescent bulb' on the interior/map light on my '08 F250 with an LED flat panel style replacement. This lights up the cab in hyper bright, much more light than converting to single LED.
If your truck is not equiped and you decide to change to LED type, the mirror glass must first be removed in order to access the lamp assembly and bulb. '08 and up style mirrors CANNOT be removed from the outside, you will break the tabs on the light housing.
Interior light upgrade - I changed out the factory 194's 'incandescent bulb' on the interior/map light on my '08 F250 with an LED flat panel style replacement. This lights up the cab in hyper bright, much more light than converting to single LED.
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