| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 01:00 AM |
02-03 gauges- want red needles? here's how-
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here's my latest update in the war of the gauge cluster! more on this in trunkmonkey's thread, which you can find by typing in "GAUGE CLUSTER COLOR CHANGE" in a search.
So................ i wrote another chapter in my novel of the cluster- this time it took a few turns for the better, and a few BAD turns for the worse. Read on!
Purpose:
i wanted red needles, dammit!!!!!
i also wanted a more uniform red behind the faces- so...
STAGE GELS:cool:
i found a great stage supply store in the bad part of town, but they were awesome and aside from worrying about my car parked outside, i had a great time with friendly service people. i got a whole sheet of stage gel for 7.50 and had a plethora of colors to choose from. if you have a stage lighting supplier in your town, go there, it's worth checking out.
the other thing i wanted to do was invert the LCD. rubr ducky has a GREAT writeup on this, and he was very kind to send out optical adhesive to anyone who PM'd him- so i got a little square last week and was dying to put it into use. i had also had two diffuser filters from edmunds optics(which you will need because the one that comes on there can't simply be flipped, and even if it could it breaks so easily it's scary)
so i had everything i needed to do it right, if i did it right on the first time.
sadly- i didn't- but for the most part the needles were a success, the gels were a 2/3rds sucess and 1/3rds utter failure, and the LCD was a- well... it's working but i need to redo it and will need to order the parts again.
but enough blabbering! on to the pics-
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01790001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01810001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01850001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01840001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01890001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01900001.jpg[/IMG]
finished (except for a bunch of internal problems):
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01930001.jpg[/IMG]
when i plugged it back in, i found that i was 90 degrees off and backwards on the LCD diffuser panel. for some reason, it's red shimmering instead of just black. i tried to fix it but now it's green shimmering and black:confused:
i think it's because of the optical adhesive i used, because without the adhesive, it doesn't shimmer in colors it just diffuses the light.
then again, it's probably just my lack of proper testing before i pasted the sucker on there.
the other HUGE problem is that when i put the stage gels behind the gauge faces, the speedo stopped working.
hmm... i thought. i've messed with the cluster tons before and never had a single problem with the needles. i was despairing over it for a while, but i took the film out from behind it and it was just making it impossible for the little retainer ring to snap back down over the face, so i snapped it back down and it works now. it seems a little slow, i'm not sure if i can trust it, so i'm going to get a friend to pace me and see if it's still accurate.
in retrospect- if you want red needles, this is a great way to do it IF you have a steady hand and can apply pressure firmly but gently- you'll also need dexterity with an xacto blade to trim the gels once they're on the needles. the more meticulous you are, the better it will look once up close- since these [i][b]will[/b][/i] be staring you in the face when you're driving, i'd suggest you be meticulous:cool:
So................ i wrote another chapter in my novel of the cluster- this time it took a few turns for the better, and a few BAD turns for the worse. Read on!
Purpose:
i wanted red needles, dammit!!!!!
i also wanted a more uniform red behind the faces- so...
STAGE GELS:cool:
i found a great stage supply store in the bad part of town, but they were awesome and aside from worrying about my car parked outside, i had a great time with friendly service people. i got a whole sheet of stage gel for 7.50 and had a plethora of colors to choose from. if you have a stage lighting supplier in your town, go there, it's worth checking out.
the other thing i wanted to do was invert the LCD. rubr ducky has a GREAT writeup on this, and he was very kind to send out optical adhesive to anyone who PM'd him- so i got a little square last week and was dying to put it into use. i had also had two diffuser filters from edmunds optics(which you will need because the one that comes on there can't simply be flipped, and even if it could it breaks so easily it's scary)
so i had everything i needed to do it right, if i did it right on the first time.
sadly- i didn't- but for the most part the needles were a success, the gels were a 2/3rds sucess and 1/3rds utter failure, and the LCD was a- well... it's working but i need to redo it and will need to order the parts again.
but enough blabbering! on to the pics-
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01790001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01810001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01850001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01840001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01890001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01900001.jpg[/IMG]
finished (except for a bunch of internal problems):
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01930001.jpg[/IMG]
when i plugged it back in, i found that i was 90 degrees off and backwards on the LCD diffuser panel. for some reason, it's red shimmering instead of just black. i tried to fix it but now it's green shimmering and black:confused:
i think it's because of the optical adhesive i used, because without the adhesive, it doesn't shimmer in colors it just diffuses the light.
then again, it's probably just my lack of proper testing before i pasted the sucker on there.
the other HUGE problem is that when i put the stage gels behind the gauge faces, the speedo stopped working.
hmm... i thought. i've messed with the cluster tons before and never had a single problem with the needles. i was despairing over it for a while, but i took the film out from behind it and it was just making it impossible for the little retainer ring to snap back down over the face, so i snapped it back down and it works now. it seems a little slow, i'm not sure if i can trust it, so i'm going to get a friend to pace me and see if it's still accurate.
in retrospect- if you want red needles, this is a great way to do it IF you have a steady hand and can apply pressure firmly but gently- you'll also need dexterity with an xacto blade to trim the gels once they're on the needles. the more meticulous you are, the better it will look once up close- since these [i][b]will[/b][/i] be staring you in the face when you're driving, i'd suggest you be meticulous:cool:
| 02R6 | 03-21-2006 01:30 AM |
Aside form the obvious cost advantage of pursuing your project, why not purchase a MY04+ WRX cluster? At least with the '04+ cluster you get the center mount tach, red needles and OEM fit and finish.
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 07:46 AM |
odometer hassle
| redsube' | 03-21-2006 08:45 AM |
how did you adhere the stage gels to the needles? It kinda looks like red window tint or vinyl?
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 08:47 AM |
it's a lot like that but it's clear and made for filtering light out of stage lights- much better than window tint.
it's adhered with the pictured Nelson optical adhesive, however any two-sided tape should do the job just fine.
it's adhered with the pictured Nelson optical adhesive, however any two-sided tape should do the job just fine.
| redsube' | 03-21-2006 08:51 AM |
cool, thanks
i forgot to tell ya the cluster look awesome!
i forgot to tell ya the cluster look awesome!
| dankEe | 03-21-2006 08:55 AM |
pics when in the car..
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 08:56 AM |
thanks!
if i had only done this and kept the green backlighting, i'd be way happier.
it's neat that it lights up red but honestly i've tried everything to make the output even and it's just not worth it. also, the novelty of it has subsided so it's nice but just not all that exciting anymore. my eyes do adjust easier to it than the green, but the blotchiness of the light is distracting. i'll be looking for another RS cluster to take the faces out of and reuse, that way i can keep the odometer original and switch between the clear backlight and the green backlight, and not have to worry about screwing it up.
if i had only done this and kept the green backlighting, i'd be way happier.
it's neat that it lights up red but honestly i've tried everything to make the output even and it's just not worth it. also, the novelty of it has subsided so it's nice but just not all that exciting anymore. my eyes do adjust easier to it than the green, but the blotchiness of the light is distracting. i'll be looking for another RS cluster to take the faces out of and reuse, that way i can keep the odometer original and switch between the clear backlight and the green backlight, and not have to worry about screwing it up.
| 02R6 | 03-21-2006 11:35 AM |
[QUOTE=Handsdown]odometer hassle[/QUOTE]
I solved that by sending my '04 cluster to Tacoma Speedometer. They were fast and easy to work with.
I solved that by sending my '04 cluster to Tacoma Speedometer. They were fast and easy to work with.
| BurtonCR | 03-21-2006 11:51 AM |
[QUOTE=02R6]I solved that by sending my '04 cluster to Tacoma Speedometer. They were fast and easy to work with.[/QUOTE]
How much did that cost?
How much did that cost?
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 01:34 PM |
again, your results will vary if you are more meticulous. this is actually a pretty shoddy job.
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01970001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01980001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_02040001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_02050001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_02060001.jpg[/IMG]
can anyone explain why my odometer is all funky and psychedelic?
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01970001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_01980001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_02040001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_02050001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f260/RSCharlie/DSC_02060001.jpg[/IMG]
can anyone explain why my odometer is all funky and psychedelic?
| 02R6 | 03-21-2006 04:04 PM |
[QUOTE=BurtonCR]How much did that cost?[/QUOTE]
Don't remember exactly; $70 or $80 comes to mind. I can check when I get home from work.
Don't remember exactly; $70 or $80 comes to mind. I can check when I get home from work.
| brcewane | 03-21-2006 06:57 PM |
[quote]can anyone explain why my odometer is all funky and psychedelic?[/quote]
Typically LCD's will do that if there is pressure on them.. the LCD may not be properly centered or there is some pressure pushing on it.
Wonder what it would have looked like if you used a red glass paint instead of the sticky film??
Typically LCD's will do that if there is pressure on them.. the LCD may not be properly centered or there is some pressure pushing on it.
Wonder what it would have looked like if you used a red glass paint instead of the sticky film??
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 07:18 PM |
it's not that because it does the coloration when nothing is pressing... i can lay the same diffuser on without the optical adhesive and it is just plain black, no color irredescence.
| nsucdm_wrx | 03-21-2006 09:29 PM |
Have you had a magnet close to the odometer...they have strange ways of effecting LCD displays. Just a guess. The gauges look great!
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 09:59 PM |
nope, because when i flip the diffuser over it goes away... I PM'd Rubr Ducky who did the great writeup on this and pointed him to this thread, so I think i'll just wait until he tells me what's up. worse comes to worst i'll just have to buy another diffuser and make sure to install it write! i actually had two panels but i cut them both wrong and now i have pieces that are too small to fit.
| Rubr_Duky | 03-21-2006 10:06 PM |
Did you remove the stock polarization filter?
Take the cluster apart.
There's a polarization filter on the glass face of the LCD. Of course, it's difficult to see, because of it's orientation, but it's on there.
If you don't remove it first, then it's not going to work.
Once you remove it, take your un cut polarization filter, and a flashlight. Shine the flashlight through the hole where the bulb goes in the back, and hold your polarization filter on the front. Rotate the filter until you see the darkest color of black you can find, and mark it's orientation.
If you do this with the peel-coat left on, then then you can mark directly on the front of the polarization filter's peel coat without worry.
YES, the polarization filter from Edmuns Optics [i]_should_[/i] have a peel coat on both sides, so check this before marking, just to be safe.
Once you have marked your orientation, you can cut the filter, which only needs to be slightly larger than the opening that it will be seen through. Any larger, and you run the risk of impeding on components around the LCD. It should NOT be any bigger than the LCD's glass.
Pull the peel coat off of one side, whichever side you think is best should be fine. If you want to be meticulous, then make it the side that was toward the LCD when you sampled the color as described above... Clean any fingerprints off of it (or don't get them on it to begin with), and remove the liner from one side of the adhesive, and very smoothly apply the adhesive, pressing the adhesive against the filter from one side to the other. If you get ANY bubbles, you're screwed, so be careful. It's not easy, so take your time, and do it right the first time. Using a spoon, or the round end of a butter knife, press everything down nice and flat.
Once you've got the adhseive on the filter, cut out the filter to your desired size. Clean the LCD nice and shiny, and make sure there's no dust on it.
Here's where it get a bit hairy...
If you use a piece of blue tape, masking tape, scotch tape, whatever, it might make it easier. Put the tape on the non-adhesive side of the filter. This is just to help with handling, and performs no other function.
Peel the liner off the adhesive, and again, from one side to the other, smoothly, and firmly (but not hard enough to break the glass) press the adhesive on to the LCD glass. This is where the tape can come in handy, because if you handle the adhesive, you will forever leave your fingerprint on your odometer. To be clear: DO NOT TOUCH THE ADHESIVE WITH YOUR FINGERS. Duh.
Remove your tape, and the front peel-coat on the filter, and wipe it all clean, and you should be done.
Any questions?
RD
:D
Take the cluster apart.
There's a polarization filter on the glass face of the LCD. Of course, it's difficult to see, because of it's orientation, but it's on there.
If you don't remove it first, then it's not going to work.
Once you remove it, take your un cut polarization filter, and a flashlight. Shine the flashlight through the hole where the bulb goes in the back, and hold your polarization filter on the front. Rotate the filter until you see the darkest color of black you can find, and mark it's orientation.
If you do this with the peel-coat left on, then then you can mark directly on the front of the polarization filter's peel coat without worry.
YES, the polarization filter from Edmuns Optics [i]_should_[/i] have a peel coat on both sides, so check this before marking, just to be safe.
Once you have marked your orientation, you can cut the filter, which only needs to be slightly larger than the opening that it will be seen through. Any larger, and you run the risk of impeding on components around the LCD. It should NOT be any bigger than the LCD's glass.
Pull the peel coat off of one side, whichever side you think is best should be fine. If you want to be meticulous, then make it the side that was toward the LCD when you sampled the color as described above... Clean any fingerprints off of it (or don't get them on it to begin with), and remove the liner from one side of the adhesive, and very smoothly apply the adhesive, pressing the adhesive against the filter from one side to the other. If you get ANY bubbles, you're screwed, so be careful. It's not easy, so take your time, and do it right the first time. Using a spoon, or the round end of a butter knife, press everything down nice and flat.
Once you've got the adhseive on the filter, cut out the filter to your desired size. Clean the LCD nice and shiny, and make sure there's no dust on it.
Here's where it get a bit hairy...
If you use a piece of blue tape, masking tape, scotch tape, whatever, it might make it easier. Put the tape on the non-adhesive side of the filter. This is just to help with handling, and performs no other function.
Peel the liner off the adhesive, and again, from one side to the other, smoothly, and firmly (but not hard enough to break the glass) press the adhesive on to the LCD glass. This is where the tape can come in handy, because if you handle the adhesive, you will forever leave your fingerprint on your odometer. To be clear: DO NOT TOUCH THE ADHESIVE WITH YOUR FINGERS. Duh.
Remove your tape, and the front peel-coat on the filter, and wipe it all clean, and you should be done.
Any questions?
RD
:D
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 10:09 PM |
speak of the LCD expert!
okay... so i did everything you just said EXCEPT shine a flashlight in from the back... which explains it perfectly. i'm going to order some new filters now. thanks! silly silly me.
okay... so i did everything you just said EXCEPT shine a flashlight in from the back... which explains it perfectly. i'm going to order some new filters now. thanks! silly silly me.
| Rubr_Duky | 03-21-2006 10:44 PM |
That looks to be about right.
And an '04 cluster would give you tach in the middle (the only place it ever should be), and red needles by default. Seems like they should be compatible.
RD
:D
And an '04 cluster would give you tach in the middle (the only place it ever should be), and red needles by default. Seems like they should be compatible.
RD
:D
| Handsdown | 03-21-2006 10:54 PM |
that would be great but i'd have to spend the 80 on getting the odometer adjusted, on top of the skrilla on the new cluster:(
| 02R6 | 03-21-2006 11:57 PM |
Just checked my records; Tacoma charged me $74.50 including shipping to perform their services.
| gundamwrx | 03-22-2006 12:42 AM |
I redded out my gauges a few weeks ago and I "accidentally" popped off the needle, but with some ingenuity, I put it back on and it works. I took a look at it and there was only paint underneath.
Does the yellow underneath the needles ever show through at certain angles?
I'm tempted to just pop them out again and repainting them. If anything goes wrong, I'll just buy an 04/05 sti cluster :D
Anyway, those needles look sweet !
Does the yellow underneath the needles ever show through at certain angles?
I'm tempted to just pop them out again and repainting them. If anything goes wrong, I'll just buy an 04/05 sti cluster :D
Anyway, those needles look sweet !
| Handsdown | 03-22-2006 12:53 AM |
they are just painted on the bottom- but actually the yellow reflects the red and it's really hard to tell from any angle that you can see from outside the dash.
if i had the money, i'd experiment with getting rid of the yellow paint, but for now i'm happy with the way it is.
another more permenent option is red sharpie.
thanks everyone for the help and input!
if i had the money, i'd experiment with getting rid of the yellow paint, but for now i'm happy with the way it is.
another more permenent option is red sharpie.
thanks everyone for the help and input!
| JohnnyWas | 03-22-2006 06:06 PM |
that's really great idea! DIY FTW
| Handsdown | 03-22-2006 07:49 PM |
thankfully i have just purchased another cluster(the same as mine) from a fellow member from hawaii that i can raid for parts if i break anything.
i'd strongly suggest people NOT mod their stock clusters until they've secured a spare- especially because the gauge faces should be able to just drop right into another cluster.
i'd strongly suggest people NOT mod their stock clusters until they've secured a spare- especially because the gauge faces should be able to just drop right into another cluster.
| Hurley 2.5 WRS | 03-23-2006 12:21 AM |
how do i contact tacoma speedometer?
looks kewl!
looks kewl!
| Handsdown | 03-23-2006 12:53 AM |
[url]http://www.tacomaspeedometer.com/[/url]
:lol:
:lol:
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