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

[TJ91]

Yeah if you go back to page 8, Tag explains it there. Tag used tape on the clips to make the trim stick out 2mm or so for the light to escape.
Im going to see how it looks without being sanded and if it looks like the doors, ill keep it that way, if not then ill probably sand. Abl seems to look different on silver trim vs. the IOM trim.
If you go to page 3 of this thread, you will see KTCAMs post on his abl set up.

[buzzy56]

Originally Posted by TJ91

Nvm got it out, found a new method of getting those darn clips out from the front

Hey share your new found way of getting them out easier.Every little bit of info helps others who will tackle this project.

[TJ91]

Oh sorry lol not sure if its been posted or not. I had ALOT of trouble trying to get the second clip to pop out. So i tried to reach it from behind the dash but couldnt get to it so I thought I would do a risky operation.
So my new way to do it, and ill do it this way for the rest of the clips is the following:

You have to get the first clip out on the driver side. Go from behind the dash, squeeze the metal tab and pull the trim, slides right off. (Use a screwdriver)
Now you need to do this to give you enough room to get a screwdriver or whatever you would like to use to press the tab down from the front of the dash for the second tab. If this is confusing I will try to explain better.
Basically I pried the dash insert with my fingers, laid some cloth over the edge of the trim, squeezed the smallest screwdriver I could find and pressed down on the tab on the front of the clip. Although you would normally squeeze the tab from behind the dash, if you look at the front of the clip, theres a piece that sticks out so you just have to press down on that.
I did that and pulled the trim off, inspected for damage and had none what so ever. Just be careful and patient with it.
I spent over an hour trying to pull that second tab off, I honestly pulled soo hard I couldnt believe the trim didnt snap. But I used a flashlight, saw that tab sticking out and went for it, it took seconds with that.
I think I got unlucky with a stubborn clip but I will do this for every clip on the passenger side.
Hope this helps

[stratman2SSRS]

If you are handy with a soldering iron, I connected the 2 passenger side lights together, so they both plug into the connector behind the tach. Wrapped them with electrical tape, then a little black hochey tape to make it look factory.

[Gene Culley]

I got my light tube today from Ofer. I haven't opened it, so I'm not sure if my splitter was in there or not. I will work on the ABL over the weekend, I hope. Oh, by the way, trim removal tools will make your life much easier!

[TJ91]

lol i didnt know there were trim removal kits!

[Dr.Bender]

Dude, where do you get those?

[TAG UR IT]

The best way to get that pesky driver side insert out is to have the speedo cluster out. Reach back there and just push it out with a finger. It's mainly that clip that is the pain in the ass. Once you get it in, make sure you like how it sits...cause once you put that cluster back in, that driver side panel won't want to come back out.


And, I have done both methods...sanded and not.

I prefer not to sand simply because the width of the light emerging from above the dash inserts is the same width of the light from the doors. Also, the light itself will be the same brightness. If you sand, the light on the dash will be brighter than on the doors. You will be able to fit everything in there better, but I still can't find out how to make the dash lights the same brightness of the doors when you sand. Hrm...

If anyone could figure out how to sand, but make the lights teh same brightness, that would be great...maybe an inline transistor to take out some of the power/voltage/wattage (whatever the heck it's called).

And Lupe, I've never done this before...

I've got my fingers crossed....hehe

[TJ91]

Hey Tag, which section of the door are you comparing it to? The bright side or the dim side?
I want mine to match the bright section of the doors so im going to do whatever i can to get to that level lol

[skuttduck]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

And, I have done both methods...sanded and not.

I prefer not to sand simply because the width of the light emerging from above the dash inserts is the same width of the light from the doors. Also, the light itself will be the same brightness. If you sand, the light on the dash will be brighter than on the doors. You will be able to fit everything in there better, but I still can't find out how to make the dash lights the same brightness of the doors when you sand. Hrm...

If anyone could figure out how to sand, but make the lights teh same brightness, that would be great...maybe an inline transistor to take out some of the power/voltage/wattage (whatever the heck it's called).

I wish you could see mine. The only nitpick I have is that it is real bright where the light originates on the passenger side. Since this is way over there it is not distracting to drive at night.

When sanding, only sand the bevel, also do not sand all of the paint away, you want it to be about 90% sanded off. The clue to how the doors are is look at what happens to the light when the yellow inserts are added. I used a 3m Spot sanding fiberglass pen to do my sanding, and thanks to my Camry I found a suitable touch up paint (stock gray panels).

The blue light goes through some of the yellow paint giving you a green illumination.

To me having the dash trim (passenger side) sticking out a bit looks unfinished and the two clips (center and left side) press against the light tube. I'd be worried about the whole trim coming loose in a crash.

[Gene Culley]

Originally Posted by Dr.Bender

Dude, where do you get those?

I bought one set from Amazon and one set from Crutchfield. The third one over from the left in the photo with the blue set above pops off that second clip on the drivers side that everyone is referring to. I'm very surprised that I have never seen these trim removal tools mentioned on this forum.

It is also beneficial to use two at a time. Like on the trim going across the dash, you can use one to rest behind and provide a gap and the second to actually pop the clips out.

http://www.amazon.com/No-Scratch-Too...6184767&sr=8-3

[Dr.Bender]

thanks, it wont get here before sat. I will have to try without...

[73vette]

I got my package today (so I should have everything except the screws for the new door panels) so I'll be taking tons of pictures this weekend and probably asking a few questions as I go. Wish me luck!!!

[TAG UR IT]

Originally Posted by TJ91

Hey Tag, which section of the door are you comparing it to? The bright side or the dim side?
I want mine to match the bright section of the doors so im going to do whatever i can to get to that level lol

? Bright side or dim side of the door? Don't know what that means. The door is all one brightness. Dash is usually brighter if you sand.