DIY: Dashboard Ambient Lighting (ABL) - Page 5 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bellringer · 10-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

I see disassembled dashes and door panels in my future

I see a pissed of wife in mine!

O-well...

RickRay · 10-13-2009, 10:43 AM

Well guys I`m getting mine done (dash) this Saturday. I tell you now there is no drilling involved and dismantling of the dash to get to the connector. A member is doing mine and he did his to perfection. Just ask all the members that went to the Oshawa meet, I showed them the kit they needed., they can confirm this and some took pics I think. The parts came up to $45 Cdn. We used EL wire..etc. Will post up pics on Sunday after install. Once done I could give you the excact parts to get on line at US prices(Cheaper).

qbert48 · 10-13-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

I see disassembled dashes and door panels in my future

i did my doors while waiting on LED's well worth the time i love how it looks at night

TJ91 · 10-13-2009, 04:31 PM

Hey Rickray, can you guys do a step by step thread for your install?

camarorick · 10-13-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickRay

Well guys I`m getting mine done (dash) this Saturday. I tell you now there is no drilling involved and dismantling of the dash to get to the connector. A member is doing mine and he did his to perfection. Just ask all the members that went to the Oshawa meet, I showed them the kit they needed., they can confirm this and some took pics I think. The parts came up to $45 Cdn. We used EL wire..etc. Will post up pics on Sunday after install. Once done I could give you the excact parts to get on line at US prices(Cheaper).

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ91

Hey Rickray, can you guys do a step by step thread for your install?

Hey Dennis, got the camera all charged up, and we will be doing a complete step by step in a new thread

TJ91 · 10-13-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarorick

Hey Dennis, got the camera all charged up, and we will be doing a complete step by step in a new thread

I just got back from sitting in my car for a half an hour trying to figure out the abl set up i want to do. The only part im worried about is the sanding

camarorick · 10-13-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ91

I just got back from sitting in my car for a half an hour trying to figure out the abl set up i want to do. The only part im worried about is the sanding

Sanding IS the longest part, but it's not that hard.... You need to prep the area you are sanding by taping off everything you DO NOT want sanded.... Worst case scenario, you mess up, and then have to order new trim pieces from Dave @ Newman (Camaroscotty ). Approx. price for new trim = $ 80.00 u.s.

qbert48 · 10-13-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarorick

Sanding IS the longest part, but it's not that hard.... You need to prep the area you are sanding by taping off everything you DO NOT want sanded.... Worst case scenario, you mess up, and then have to order new trim pieces from Dave @ Newman (Camaroscotty ). Approx. price for new trim = $ 80.00 u.s.

agreed now i want to drill the dash to get started and the wife is ballistic and i have thoughts do we really need the light on the passenger side?

camarorick · 10-13-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbert48

agreed now i want to drill the dash to get started and the wife is ballistic and i have thoughts do we really need the light on the passenger side?

This is why I've opted for the EL wire method. Not so invasive like the LED version

qbert48 · 10-13-2009, 09:42 PM

but i've seen no pics but yours,led seems to be easy

kga10734 · 10-13-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarorick

This is why I've opted for the EL wire method. Not so invasive like the LED version

I know you said you used the 2.2 mm wire but would a 2.5 mm wire work also, it's only about .012 bigger?

Can I use 1 12v dc driver and use a 2 way splitter under the dash that way I can run both sides off of one driver or do I need a driver for each side?

I think I have found a place here local(at least on line) that sells everything I might need to do the El wire.

I'll be one of the members waiting for your right up and how to photos after your done with the install Sunday.

Thanks.

camarorick · 10-14-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbert48

but i've seen no pics but yours,led seems to be easy

Any of the installs are pretty easy if you're mechanically inclined, but my problem with the LED version is all the cutting, and removal of the speedo bezel.

I think it's great that there are several options for us to use

It's up to the individual to decide which one is for them.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by kga10734

I know you said you used the 2.2 mm wire but would a 2.5 mm wire work also, it's only about .012 bigger?

Can I use 1 12v dc driver and use a 2 way splitter under the dash that way I can run both sides off of one driver or do I need a driver for each side?

I think I have found a place here local(at least on line) that sells everything I might need to do the El wire.

I'll be one of the members waiting for your right up and how to photos after your done with the install Sunday.

Thanks.

The 2.5mm wire should be okay, there was more than enough room in the acrylic pipe to accommodate this

The driver is a 12v DC, but make sure it's for EL length of 0-100mm ( different drivers available for different lengths ). I actually use several splitters in the install.... The EL wire can then be expanded to light other areas of the car in the future ( floor lighting

)

TJ91 · 10-14-2009, 03:39 PM

Cant wait for Saturday, or for when you get the thread set up. Got to choose between the two set ups

WCoolBreeze · 10-16-2009, 06:59 PM

Got my Lights, now to find the time to do the install.

Walt B.

qbert48 · 10-16-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WCoolBreeze

Got my Lights, now to find the time to do the install.

Walt B.

i hear ya 3rd night in a row i can't do the install the wait is tickin me off

camarorick you almost had me the the leds showed up

ryeguycamaro · 10-17-2009, 07:21 AM

I received my lights yesterday. Installed the digikey tube and lights within a half hour. Guys it is just two small holes and noone will ever notice them. The digikey tube just sits in place and you can't beat that the led lights are plug and play. My connector behind my speedo was not even wrapped in the tape. It had its own foam wrap which I had to do nothing with. The color is right on. All I did was sand the edge right at the angle between the two flat surfaces on the top edge. I ran 220 wet/dry sand paper down it and it took me less than 1 min. I also taped the evident spots with 3m black electrical tape to keep from light shining through. Follow the steps and you will be amazed. It is easy and is a tight mod. Don't get me wrong do what you want to but plug and play to me is the way to go, especially since this was the way they do it in the door panels and the obviously intended to do something similar in the dash.

ryeguycamaro · 10-17-2009, 07:23 AM

Sorry for the ends I used electrical duct seal to tack the ends of the digikey tubes up in to there positions. I didn't tape them.

camarorick · 10-17-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguycamaro

I received my lights yesterday. Installed the digikey tube and lights within a half hour. Guys it is just two small holes and noone will ever notice them. The digikey tube just sits in place and you can't beat that the led lights are plug and play. My connector behind my speedo was not even wrapped in the tape. It had its own foam wrap which I had to do nothing with. The color is right on. All I did was sand the edge right at the angle between the two flat surfaces on the top edge. I ran 220 wet/dry sand paper down it and it took me less than 1 min. I also taped the evident spots with 3m black electrical tape to keep from light shining through. Follow the steps and you will be amazed. It is easy and is a tight mod. Don't get me wrong do what you want to but plug and play to me is the way to go, especially since this was the way they do it in the door panels and the obviously intended to do something similar in the dash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguycamaro

Sorry for the ends I used electrical duct seal to tack the ends of the digikey tubes up in to there positions. I didn't tape them.

Do you have any pics ?

ryeguycamaro · 10-17-2009, 08:53 AM

I will get some.

ryeguycamaro · 10-17-2009, 09:13 AM

here are some pics. You can see just at the top edge I sanded the edge of the angle. It is just above the tape. My drivers side tube is a little short, I am redoing it today. I also did my drl but I didn't cut the harness of for the led bulbs. I used 3m crimp connects that are weather tight and crimped the new light sockets to the existing wires so I could change back if I wanted to. I know it is the wrong post for the drl's but I thought I'd show you guys the results.

ryeguycamaro · 10-17-2009, 09:27 AM

I also sanded my door panels to extend the light all the way to the dash. It looks awesome, don't know why they didn't finish it from factory as it leaves no glow on the windshield and is not distracting at all.

camarorick · 10-17-2009, 09:38 AM

Looks good !!! The holes you made are in the perfect location, you'll never see them if you decide to revert back to stock

So, did you install the LED's only in the speedo cluster ? Looks like the light reaches to the passenger door pretty well....

I believe the people with the regular inserts (blue) will need to sand more, as the grey paint is not translucent like the orange.

We will be starting Rickrays install in a couple of hours. Pics, writeup, and bill of material coming soon......

RickRay · 10-17-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camarorick

Looks good !!! The holes you made are in the perfect location, you'll never see them if you decide to revert back to stock

So, did you install the LED's only in the speedo cluster ? Looks like the light reaches to the passenger door pretty well....

I believe the people with the regular inserts (blue) will need to sand more, as the grey paint is not translucent like the orange.

We will be starting Rickrays install in a couple of hours. Pics, writeup, and bill of material coming soon......

I'm just heading out for Breakfast and will be heading out right after.

ryeguycamaro · 10-17-2009, 09:54 AM

Yes I only did the two lights by the speedo cluster. Pics are a little blurry but I think you can see where I sanded. Didn't take any below or above the edge at all just sanded on the edge. As far as the doors go I sanded to make it look just like what the factory left unpainted and I finished all the way to where you can hardly sand anymore.

RickRay · 10-18-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickRay

I'm just heading out for Breakfast and will be heading out right after.

Well I happy

to say that we completed the ABL install with EL Wire on the dash and it came out perfect.

Rick is preparing the write up on this with pictures and should be posting soon in a new thread.. I'm very happy with the job. The long part is sanding the edges in a perfect straight line. The connector is located on the passenger side and there is no need to take the speedo cluster apart. Rick will explain it better..it is his Project

Thanks Rick

Maybe our next project is to get the 3 inches that are missing on the side doors to complete the look (which was done by some members already)

UPDATE
Here's the link to the new thread

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47924

10-13-2009, 09:42 PM	#110
qbert48 Drives: 2SS SIM Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: texas panhandle BFE Posts: 1,143	but i've seen no pics but yours,led seems to be easy __________________ 2SS RS SIM gray leather stick shift ground FX thank you gary richards @ classic chevy in sugarland welcome home 1100 4-27-09 6000 6-27-09 yes i got to the dance late don't hate me

10-16-2009, 06:59 PM	#114
WCoolBreeze 2LT/RS RJT Drives: 2010 2LT/RS RJT W/CGM Rally Stripes Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Imperial, CA Posts: 1,093	Got my Lights, now to find the time to do the install. Walt B. __________________ 2010 2LT/RS (Vin - 7757) 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T (Yes it has a Hemi) 1987 Camaro RS (California Special) Mods Done CGM Gills, "RS" in both headrests, GMPP Exhaust w/ Tips, RJT XM Antenna, RS Foglight/DRL Plug/Play Harness, Stow & Go Front Plate, Leather E-Brake Boot & Auto Boot, HUD Installed, Full ABL doors & Dash, RJT Heritage Grill, T-Rex Lower Grill, Roto-Fab CAI (RJT), W/W Reservoir, V-6 Radiator Cover (RJT), ADM Race Air Scoop, GM Cupholder & Footwell LEDs, Retrofit GM Rearview Mirror (w/video) & Backup Camera, and Conv Spoiler.

10-17-2009, 07:21 AM	#116
ryeguycamaro Drives: 1969 RS/SS 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 118	ABL Install I received my lights yesterday. Installed the digikey tube and lights within a half hour. Guys it is just two small holes and noone will ever notice them. The digikey tube just sits in place and you can't beat that the led lights are plug and play. My connector behind my speedo was not even wrapped in the tape. It had its own foam wrap which I had to do nothing with. The color is right on. All I did was sand the edge right at the angle between the two flat surfaces on the top edge. I ran 220 wet/dry sand paper down it and it took me less than 1 min. I also taped the evident spots with 3m black electrical tape to keep from light shining through. Follow the steps and you will be amazed. It is easy and is a tight mod. Don't get me wrong do what you want to but plug and play to me is the way to go, especially since this was the way they do it in the door panels and the obviously intended to do something similar in the dash.

10-17-2009, 07:23 AM	#117
ryeguycamaro Drives: 1969 RS/SS 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 118	ABL install Sorry for the ends I used electrical duct seal to tack the ends of the digikey tubes up in to there positions. I didn't tape them.

10-17-2009, 08:53 AM	#119
ryeguycamaro Drives: 1969 RS/SS 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 118	pics I will get some.

10-13-2009, 10:43 AM	#102
RickRay INJACC Drives: 2010 CGM 2LT/RS AUTO Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montreal (South Shore)Quebec, Canada Posts: 4,949 View My Garage	Well guys I`m getting mine done (dash) this Saturday. I tell you now there is no drilling involved and dismantling of the dash to get to the connector. A member is doing mine and he did his to perfection. Just ask all the members that went to the Oshawa meet, I showed them the kit they needed., they can confirm this and some took pics I think. The parts came up to $45 Cdn. We used EL wire..etc. Will post up pics on Sunday after install. Once done I could give you the excact parts to get on line at US prices(Cheaper).

10-13-2009, 04:31 PM	#104
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 12,346	Hey Rickray, can you guys do a step by step thread for your install?

10-14-2009, 03:39 PM	#113
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 12,346	Cant wait for Saturday, or for when you get the thread set up. Got to choose between the two set ups

10-17-2009, 09:13 AM	#120
ryeguycamaro Drives: 1969 RS/SS 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 118	Pics of ABL installed here are some pics. You can see just at the top edge I sanded the edge of the angle. It is just above the tape. My drivers side tube is a little short, I am redoing it today. I also did my drl but I didn't cut the harness of for the led bulbs. I used 3m crimp connects that are weather tight and crimped the new light sockets to the existing wires so I could change back if I wanted to. I know it is the wrong post for the drl's but I thought I'd show you guys the results. Attached Images Last edited by ryeguycamaro; 10-17-2009 at 09:23 AM. Reason: forgot to attach pics.

10-17-2009, 09:27 AM	#121
ryeguycamaro Drives: 1969 RS/SS 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 118	ABL I also sanded my door panels to extend the light all the way to the dash. It looks awesome, don't know why they didn't finish it from factory as it leaves no glow on the windshield and is not distracting at all.

10-17-2009, 09:38 AM	#122
camarorick Drives: . Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: . Posts: 2,038	Looks good !!! The holes you made are in the perfect location, you'll never see them if you decide to revert back to stock So, did you install the LED's only in the speedo cluster ? Looks like the light reaches to the passenger door pretty well.... I believe the people with the regular inserts (blue) will need to sand more, as the grey paint is not translucent like the orange. We will be starting Rickrays install in a couple of hours. Pics, writeup, and bill of material coming soon......

10-17-2009, 09:54 AM	#124
ryeguycamaro Drives: 1969 RS/SS 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA Posts: 118	Yes I only did the two lights by the speedo cluster. Pics are a little blurry but I think you can see where I sanded. Didn't take any below or above the edge at all just sanded on the edge. As far as the doors go I sanded to make it look just like what the factory left unpainted and I finished all the way to where you can hardly sand anymore.

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