DIY part # for ABL (Pictures of Installation included!!!)

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by camaro2

Can't wait to see your install pic's. I am staring this mod next week end. Got my lite pipe off the internet. Just need to find the right color LED (mine needs to be red).

I was already thinking the way you were for this install. Glad to see someone else had the same idea. GM should have set all the parts in place and ready to go before they pulled the plug.

You proved they did.

The 2-3 mm gap you see is normal as a launch issue. This would have been tweeked in if the program would have went forward.

I have done many launches on vehicles and you are right.

Great job!!!!!!!!!

Well thank you very much!!! I'll get it all done asap. I've been extremely busy around the house taking down the Christmas tree, doing wash, playing with the kiddos, store stuff, and TONS of other stuff. Promise I'll get it up quickly. I need to rewire my dash so the lights sit properly and does not stick through the drilled holes in the dash, but I DO have all the pix of Mikes car. I'll start uploading them now to photobucket. Oh, and you should be able to get the red/orange lights from GM parts for like 12 bucks now. Price dropped...

EDIT:

That 2mm gap is not there on the stock panels. It only gets "created" when you put the light pipe behind it. The light pipe pushes the panel out. Is that what you meant? That they would have fixed that going into production? I read it one way the first time through and differently the next time.

Originally Posted by sherifdude

looking for website to buy clear plastic ambient light tubes.

Your OP sells them.

[TAG UR IT]

Ok...pix have been uploaded but I need to hit the sack. I'll copy the links later on and show ya'll what I did.

[redZ28]

So 2SSRS, what is the price for the light pipe? Do you have an unlimited supply? I don't see them for sale in the classifieds.

[TAG UR IT]

The install method is basically the same as before, but no drilling.
1. Using the telescopic function of the steering wheel, lower the steering wheel and pull it all they way out. Lock it in place.
2. Remove the silver trim surround on the gauges. Pop it off on the corners and pull it off gently. Then slide your hand behind the surround and put your fingers UNDER the steering wheel top cover. Pop off the entire cover that is attached to the silver surround. The stop of the steering wheel shaft will come off easily.
3. Next, remove the 4 star bolts at each corner of the gauges. Be careful not to drop the screws. They are heck to find in that dash and you pretty much can't get them unless you have an expandable magnet.
4. Remove the gauge cluster and disconnect.
5. Remove both sides to the dash and both dash inserts. BE CAREFUL removing the dash inserts. Excessive bending will crack the paint under the plastic. Excessive bending can also break the backer that connects it to the dash....that would be BAD. It takes a week to get a new one in from GM parts. Use your finger and move it along the back of the insert to pop out the inserts.
6. Find the pre existing plug on the left side (if you don't have one, splice into the existing wire using a t-connector). Plug in the GM light and fish it through the side.
7. Using a flat head, carefully break apart the other side taking off the plastic holder that goes around the light. Tape off each wire to prevent them from touching using electrical tape (as in pix).
8. Find other connector behind gauge pod and plug in one of 2SS/RS's single to dual connectors (or tap into pre exising wires again). Plug in both of those GM lights to those connectors and again break off both plastic light end covers.
9. Using a wire coat hanger, cut each end and straighten it out. Fish it through the dash from the right side to the left and tape the hangar to the light. Fish the light through to the right side.
10. Measure and cut each side of the light pipe (actual lengths will be posted later).
11. Fish the light through the small dash hole on either side. On the right side, you will need to use a screwdriver and kind of open up the smaller hole a bit by moving the screwdriver in a clockwise motion in teh hole. You will get the idea once you try to move fish it through. Do that on both sides of the passenger side and on the driver side (right side). Oh, on the passenger side, you need to remove the one left bolt/screw and push that plastic piece back a bit to fish it through.
12. Using transparent clear vinyl tubing (1/4 x .170), attach the blue gm light to the light pipe. They will fit together snugly. The light pipe will hang there, but that's okay. Same thing on the left side....only one light connector on the right side of that driver side panel. Fish it through and connect it using that clear tubing. Yes, it will hang there too.
13. Reinstall the driver side insert and see how it fits. It should sit away at the top for 1 or 2 mm's.
14. Reinstall the passenger side and see how it fits. You will most likely need to add a spacer to the left side of the back of the insert to keep it from completely touching the dash. I used electrical tape on teh top of the protruding connectors which "built up" the back so it would fit better. I'll get better pix later and add to this post.

But, this way, the dash insert sits away from the dash...about 2mm at the top. Light comes out perfectly and you can't tell that it's not touching the dash at all.

Plastic fishtank tubing...that was the key to holding the light pipe in place. Yes, it hangs there. But, when you pop in the dash insert, it's held in place. If there is anyone in SA that wants to do this mod, let me know. I'd be happy to help out. We did Mikes car, but he opted to keep the dash inserts sanded so more light comes through.

After reinstalling the dash inserts, check it and make sure it looks good to your liking. Then put in the gauges and BE CAREFUL when putting the dash gauge silver surround back in. If you break one of the holders ON THE DASH, it would be BAAAAAAAD.

I'll update this soon and add more pictures later....maybe even a video.

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

Thank you.

[Huggerorange73]

How in the world I have missed this mod is beyond me.....I'm going to order up the needed GM parts tomorrow.

OP, can ya hook me up with the needed light pipe please?

[STINGS]

Has anyone tried putting a mirrored material on the far end, to reflect back all the light that is just going out the opened end? Would think something like a mirrored sequin inside of a rubber endcap may help increase the light at the dim end. If the pipes show up tomorrow will see if it has any effect. (Since I only have two blue led assemblies at this time)
Joe

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

Thank you.

Anytime, brother! You know...I really want to do a tear down of my car showing people in a video exactly how quickly and easy this mod is to do. If I can get someone to help me with the video, I can knock it out really quickly. Yep...I'll get it done and post it up. But THANK YOU for pioneering this major project! Dude...this is like...one of the best mods there is to do and it's so freaking easy, it's not funny...

Originally Posted by Huggerorange73

How in the world I have missed this mod is beyond me.....I'm going to order up the needed GM parts tomorrow.

OP, can ya hook me up with the needed light pipe please?

THERE YA GO!!! SO freaking easy....you are going to love it!

And here are the new pix!! With this install of ABL, the panels are not sanded at all. They stick out just a tad by use of a spacer behind the panel. Feel free to use your imagination to come up with a spacer. I used duct tape and layered it on the 2nd and 3rd guides to beef it up a bit. I think GM messed up in THIS ONE area by not making the back guides all the same size as the others.

[TAG UR IT]

Notice how the ABL is the same brightness as the doors. ...and same width too.

Originally Posted by STINGS

Has anyone tried putting a mirrored material on the far end, to reflect back all the light that is just going out the opened end? Would think something like a mirrored sequin inside of a rubber endcap may help increase the light at the dim end. If the pipes show up tomorrow will see if it has any effect. (Since I only have two blue led assemblies at this time)
Joe

Yes. I had mirrored tape in mine all the way across. It really wasn't necessary to use if you are sanding the top edge of the insert or it's going to be too bright. My suggestion is to get a third GM light and not use the tape. But hey....give it a shot and see what happens. I'm afraid that the far end is going to be too dim. I've done it and well, it was dim, but you might think otherwise. It all depends on YOUR liking. For example, my bud Mike was shown the new install and he decided to go back to the sanded insert and get a thick blue light across the dash. He liked it brighter. I liked it dimmer and matching to the doors. No biggie...whatever you like.

[OmniCamaro]

Originally Posted by skuttduck

Any 5mm LED with a proper resistor would work.
Just a little bit of soldering work needed.

Would you happen to know the "proper resistor"? I plan on doing this MOD as soon as I get my car but am having trouble getting everything together in my mind and on a list. I don't do alot of electrical figuring out. I can do anything if I know the correct parts though . I don't want blue or orange in mine because it's going to be silver and I want the silver to show so maybe white LED's...

If 2SSRS could update the initial post with exact parts needed, sizes, wattage, whatever... that would be a huge help in making this whole thread perfect.

Oh and thanks to all that have contributed to this MOD, it is going to be fun to accomplish and then look at!!

[LED Crazy]

I am getting this mod done by my local dealer currently with out drilling holes or sanding. It should be completed by tomorrow if everything goes according to plan. I will post pics once I get him back.

[OmniCamaro]

Originally Posted by 2Unique4U

I am getting this mod done by my local dealer currently with out drilling holes or sanding. It should be completed by tomorrow if everything goes according to plan. I will post pics once I get him back.

What's the cost?

[Huggerorange73]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Notice how the ABL is the same brightness as the doors. ...and same width too.



Yes. I had mirrored tape in mine all the way across. It really wasn't necessary to use if you are sanding the top edge of the insert or it's going to be too bright. My suggestion is to get a third GM light and not use the tape. But hey....give it a shot and see what happens. I'm afraid that the far end is going to be too dim. I've done it and well, it was dim, but you might think otherwise. It all depends on YOUR liking. For example, my bud Mike was shown the new install and he decided to go back to the sanded insert and get a thick blue light across the dash. He liked it brighter. I liked it dimmer and matching to the doors. No biggie...whatever you like.

This is what I'm after....to do this are you using 2 lights? I'm going with your method on the install, so hurry up with that video will ya

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

Originally Posted by OmniCamaro

Would you happen to know the "proper resistor"? I plan on doing this MOD as soon as I get my car but am having trouble getting everything together in my mind and on a list. I don't do alot of electrical figuring out. I can do anything if I know the correct parts though . I don't want blue or orange in mine because it's going to be silver and I want the silver to show so maybe white LED's...

If 2SSRS could update the initial post with exact parts needed, sizes, wattage, whatever... that would be a huge help in making this whole thread perfect.

Oh and thanks to all that have contributed to this MOD, it is going to be fun to accomplish and then look at!!

Hi on the op i have the GM part numbers, to list the proper resistor it depends on the LED's you use there is a formula to use depending on max V of the LED and the that is put out, but for most its 330-600 ohm's

Originally Posted by 2Unique4U

I am getting this mod done by my local dealer currently with out drilling holes or sanding. It should be completed by tomorrow if everything goes according to plan. I will post pics once I get him back.

So you know your will be brighter for two reasons.
1 GM used i thinner paint on the IOM Interior so it will look a lot more bright, If tags car is a 5 in how bright the dash trim is yours will be a 15.

2 I used bright LED's there 2X the GM LED's(But i cant find the Right color for the Blue)

Originally Posted by Huggerorange73

This is what I'm after....to do this are you using 2 lights? I'm going with your method on the install, so hurry up with that video will ya

No he added a 3 light at the end of the passenger door.