GEN5 instrument cluster question

mach_y
08-13-2002, 05:42 PM
Well, I just bought my first Camry (2002 SE) earlier this year. I have the stereo about done (as seen at my webpage), and am looking now to change the orange interior lights. The A/C control cluster seems relatively straightforward, but the instrument cluster is something else entirely.... easy enough to get the cluster out and the plastic clear front and white back off, but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to take off the silver face to get at the lights. Can anyone help me out please? Thanks!

EasyE
08-13-2002, 05:53 PM
whats your webpage? id like to see the stereo (im an audio kind-of guy) hehe

as for the other stuff... i aint familiar with the gen5 so i cant help ya.

btw, you must be new (only 1 post) so.... WELCOME TO TN

mach_y
08-13-2002, 07:16 PM
EasyE, yes, I am brand new... thanks for the welcome :) Click the WWW link at the bottom of my post... it'll take you to my page.

91camryDX
08-13-2002, 09:23 PM
Welcome to TN!

EasyE
08-13-2002, 09:35 PM
dude i really like how you mounted them tweeters. ill try to get some more pics of my stuff (6x9s, etc).... my cam has the stock 1" tweeters and the 5.25" speakers. i replaced the 6x9s and i put the two JL subs in... check my website, its in my sig.

Phi
08-13-2002, 10:41 PM
Mark- Welcome to TN! I'm speechless :o You're telling me you ripped your entire car apart and now you're asking US to help you :hammer: :P Hell, you gots to come up here and help me with my install in the future. Sorry I can't be of any help (as usual :oops: ) I'm just still trying to come to grips with your handy work 8) :thumbup:

BTW- are you a pro. audio guy by trade or just a plain old Audiophile :wink:

mach_y
08-13-2002, 10:59 PM
Phi,
I'll give any help I can... this car is the first car I installed my own stereo in though. Thanks for the compliments btw :D

Someone here has to know how to get this thing open :P

Thanks...

Silver Streak
08-13-2002, 10:59 PM
Mark, that is a nice install! I've always wondered how to make custom panels, thanks for the detailed website!

Phi
08-13-2002, 11:16 PM
Phi,
I'll give any help I can... this car is the first car I installed my own stereo in though. Thanks for the compliments btw :D

Someone here has to know how to get this thing open :P

Thanks...

http://forums.off-topic.net/images/smilies/liar.gif or you've been busy doing installs for your buddies, 'cause that sure as hell ain't no "first time" install!! :wink: As for your dilema, if there aren't any visible screws securing the silver face, it's most likely snapped in place or isn't removable. Unfortunelty for you, there aren't too many Gen5 owners that have done as much as you have to their Cams that can share their experiences.

Henry: you're just interested 'cause you are pleasantly surprised to learn that the project is pretty "ghetto" with old T-shirts and all :D Maybe when Mark has some time he wouldn't mind giving us a quick lesson on working with glass and some basic techniques on custom fabricating parts 8)

EasyE
08-13-2002, 11:53 PM
[quote="mach_y"]Phi,
I'll give any help I can... this car is the first car I installed my own stereo in though. Thanks for the compliments btw :D

Someone here has to know how to get this thing open :P

Thanks...

http://forums.off-topic.net/images/smilies/liar.gif or you've been busy doing installs for your buddies, 'cause that sure as hell ain't no "first time" install!! :wink:[quote]

yea definetly

but anyway...
dude you gotta hook me up with 0 gauge power wire!?!?!?! i use 8 gauge.... does that affect SQL or SPL any?

Phi
08-14-2002, 12:01 AM
EasyE: I'm not sure how many watts you're pushing through your system, but I doubt you need 0ga wires. Here's a chart that'll help you figure out what wire suits you;
http://www.crutchfield.com/installguide/S-9dB53qUyfIh/cable_gauge.html

Don't get me wrong, upgrading the wire doesn't hurt, but you prolly won't really benefit from 0ga unless you're amps are pwr hungry.

EasyE
08-14-2002, 01:16 AM
thanks for the chart phi, ill have to study it later when i have more time

well i only have 75 watts runnin to each sub... for the JL 12W1's, that aint much... and upgrading the power might help out my amp with the overheating problem it had a while back... but it hasnt overheated in a while so ill see...

mach_y
08-14-2002, 05:40 AM
seriously guys, it was my first install!! I studied other installs and hung out on the elitecaraudio forum asking questions for about a year before I did my install. The guys there taught me how to do the work I did on my car.

mach_y
08-14-2002, 09:29 PM
guess no one knows how to get at the sucker huh.... :(

mach_y
08-18-2002, 01:26 AM
I finally figured it out :) Now to find some of the right size blue LED's to change the dash color to blue at night. I'll post pics on my website of the entire process once complete for anyone else who wants to do it.

PSyCHo-RaGe
08-18-2002, 04:28 AM
I finally figured it out :) Now to find some of the right size blue LED's to change the dash color to blue at night. I'll post pics on my website of the entire process once complete for anyone else who wants to do it.

Sweet, Let us know how it goes, and what bulbs you bought.

Phi
08-18-2002, 09:31 AM
Damn you're patient and persistant! You shouldn't have any probs with trying to find LEDs. Those things come in every size and colour. The guys in the Celica community do this mod frequently. Can't wait to see the results 8)

mach_y
08-18-2002, 11:23 AM
Ok, more info. Plugging in the dash while taken apart, I measured the voltage going to the 5 orange LED's (these are SMD leds, about 2.0mm by 2.0mm, I'll get pics up later). Problem is the voltage going to them is only 2.5VDC. Every SMD blue LED I've found so far are 3.6VDC. It might be possible to use them anyway, and if I can't find any I'll just buy some 3.6VDC ones to try out and see how it goes. Maybe a bright 3.6VDC so that it is just slightly muted at 2.5VDC.