DIY - Camaro Dash ABL Install - GM Parts House - Page 6 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

xxIRONWILLxx · 03-20-2011, 08:28 PM

Ok, got the lights in but I don't like how the panels diffuse the light. They don't match.

I tried turning the reflector at every angle. I notched the panels so I could flush mount but that is even worse. I sanded to the edge of bevel but did not go over. The sanded portion is now mounted flush so no light is going through it. If I shim the panel out it looks better. I'm wondering. If I sand(evenly) over the edge,will the light then fill the sanded area? Or do I have to keep it shimmed? Another thing is, the center of the right side is very dim in the middle. I used clear cable retainers to try to stop it from sagging but it is still dim. I extended the lighting in the doors. Took the tape off. Used Oops! Extreme Remover(Advance Auto) and Qtips to take the paint of the door panels. Worked great. A couple quick applications and it came right off, no drama. Kind of a tight area to sand. Doors really turned out great. Any input on the dim center would help. Thx

Gene Culley · 03-22-2011, 09:55 PM

I have my panel tilted out a bit to shine the light up behind it. I didn't do the sanding method. Are you saying it is still dim in the center with the panel tilted out?

TJ91 · 03-24-2011, 12:49 AM

If you look behind the hole in this picture, you can see it is sort of blocked off. That is actually the panel behind that dash that houses the A/C vents and all. One of the moderators here, TAG, says he loosened that bolt and pushed on it and it allowed the LED through. I did loosen the bolt and pushed that panel back a little with the screwdriver.

OMG, I drilled that

am I screwed?!

TJ91 · 03-24-2011, 01:10 AM

the more i think of it, i remember it being like a slim plastic piece that felt just like a bracket, so im hoping I didnt do any real damage

xxIRONWILLxx · 03-24-2011, 04:31 PM

I was trying to mimic the door panel lighting and still have the dash panels flush mounted. I now think this is next to impossible. When I shim the panel out, I get really good lighting. The right side panel like to pull itself really far in, in the center. That's why I'm seeing dark, but I am working on it and think I have the answer. I used reflective tape behind the panel and that helped alot. But it still needs to be shimmed away to give the best light. I have a couple ideas on how to evenly shim the panel across the top. Should have it mostly done this weekend. Btw, the dimmer switch I installed really helps when you're thing to match the doors. The center is almost always brighter than the doors when it's wedged out. I'll post all the pics once I get this figured out. Thanks for the help everyone

Gene Culley · 03-24-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ91

If you look behind the hole in this picture, you can see it is sort of blocked off. That is actually the panel behind that dash that houses the A/C vents and all. One of the moderators here, TAG, says he loosened that bolt and pushed on it and it allowed the LED through. I did loosen the bolt and pushed that panel back a little with the screwdriver.

OMG, I drilled that

am I screwed?!

No, I went back later and drilled that piece out just to have spare room, so you're good.

Gene Culley · 03-24-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxIRONWILLxx

I was trying to mimic the door panel lighting and still have the dash panels flush mounted. I now think this is next to impossible. When I shim the panel out, I get really good lighting. The right side panel like to pull itself really far in, in the center. That's why I'm seeing dark, but I am working on it and think I have the answer. I used reflective tape behind the panel and that helped alot. But it still needs to be shimmed away to give the best light. I have a couple ideas on how to evenly shim the panel across the top. Should have it mostly done this weekend. Btw, the dimmer switch I installed really helps when you're thing to match the doors. The center is almost always brighter than the doors when it's wedged out. I'll post all the pics once I get this figured out. Thanks for the help everyone

Thank you for your valuable information. I look forward to seeing your photos and hearing more information.

ihaveacamaro · 03-25-2011, 10:21 AM

awesome write up. As soon as I get the funds, I will be hitting you and Ofer up!

Gene Culley · 03-25-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihaveacamaro

awesome write up. As soon as I get the funds, I will be hitting you and Ofer up!

Thanks man. Let me know if you need to know anything else!

FED728 · 03-29-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Culley

Thanks man. Let me know if you need to know anything else!

Great step by step write up. Will be using this and now I AM REALLY HOPING I have a plug. Can't wait to get home to see my vin number.

ihaveacamaro · 03-29-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Culley

Thanks man. Let me know if you need to know anything else!

Order sent through Patrick... he said you guys should be getting more blue abl lights in a few days.

Can not wait to try this at home!!!

and I'm ordering the trim removal kit too haha. thanks for that tip

Roshan

TJ91 · 03-29-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Culley

No, I went back later and drilled that piece out just to have spare room, so you're good.

oh thank God

HumanWiki · 03-29-2011, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED728

Great step by step write up. Will be using this and now I AM REALLY HOPING I have a plug. Can't wait to get home to see my vin number.

If you carry your insurance card on you, check it. I know with mine from StateFarm it's listed there.

overhaulengines · 03-29-2011, 01:14 PM

i posted this in ofer's thread, thought i would post here also, might help.
i purchased some 1/4 in weather stripping, put i along the trim, and raise or lowered it in areas. This is to hold the rod and in turn, the rod create to proper gap needed. hope this help, kinda crappy vid, but oh well

lupe

03-20-2011, 08:28 PM	#71
xxIRONWILLxx 7.5 mpg and loving it! Drives: it like I stole it! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Harborfest, NY Posts: 283 View My Garage	Ok, got the lights in but I don't like how the panels diffuse the light. They don't match. I tried turning the reflector at every angle. I notched the panels so I could flush mount but that is even worse. I sanded to the edge of bevel but did not go over. The sanded portion is now mounted flush so no light is going through it. If I shim the panel out it looks better. I'm wondering. If I sand(evenly) over the edge,will the light then fill the sanded area? Or do I have to keep it shimmed? Another thing is, the center of the right side is very dim in the middle. I used clear cable retainers to try to stop it from sagging but it is still dim. I extended the lighting in the doors. Took the tape off. Used Oops! Extreme Remover(Advance Auto) and Qtips to take the paint of the door panels. Worked great. A couple quick applications and it came right off, no drama. Kind of a tight area to sand. Doors really turned out great. Any input on the dim center would help. Thx __________________ (Click above image to learn about UpstateC5)

03-24-2011, 12:49 AM	#73
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,033	If you look behind the hole in this picture, you can see it is sort of blocked off. That is actually the panel behind that dash that houses the A/C vents and all. One of the moderators here, TAG, says he loosened that bolt and pushed on it and it allowed the LED through. I did loosen the bolt and pushed that panel back a little with the screwdriver. OMG, I drilled that am I screwed?! __________________ CAMARO Consult your doctor before taking Camaro Side effects include Sudden increase in Heart Rate, Insomnia and occasional hallucinations If you experience Permagrin exceeding 4 hours after taking Camaro, seek immediate Camaro5 Help CAMARO Bringing excitment back into the Garage

03-24-2011, 01:10 AM	#74
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,033	the more i think of it, i remember it being like a slim plastic piece that felt just like a bracket, so im hoping I didnt do any real damage __________________ CAMARO Consult your doctor before taking Camaro Side effects include Sudden increase in Heart Rate, Insomnia and occasional hallucinations If you experience Permagrin exceeding 4 hours after taking Camaro, seek immediate Camaro5 Help CAMARO Bringing excitment back into the Garage

03-24-2011, 04:31 PM	#75
xxIRONWILLxx 7.5 mpg and loving it! Drives: it like I stole it! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Harborfest, NY Posts: 283 View My Garage	I was trying to mimic the door panel lighting and still have the dash panels flush mounted. I now think this is next to impossible. When I shim the panel out, I get really good lighting. The right side panel like to pull itself really far in, in the center. That's why I'm seeing dark, but I am working on it and think I have the answer. I used reflective tape behind the panel and that helped alot. But it still needs to be shimmed away to give the best light. I have a couple ideas on how to evenly shim the panel across the top. Should have it mostly done this weekend. Btw, the dimmer switch I installed really helps when you're thing to match the doors. The center is almost always brighter than the doors when it's wedged out. I'll post all the pics once I get this figured out. Thanks for the help everyone __________________ (Click above image to learn about UpstateC5)

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03-22-2011, 09:55 PM	#72
Gene Culley Account Suspended Drives: 2013 SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boyertown, PA Posts: 1,374	I have my panel tilted out a bit to shine the light up behind it. I didn't do the sanding method. Are you saying it is still dim in the center with the panel tilted out?

03-25-2011, 10:21 AM	#78
ihaveacamaro I like teeth. Drives: #198 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 4,817	awesome write up. As soon as I get the funds, I will be hitting you and Ofer up!

03-29-2011, 01:14 PM	#84
overhaulengines Drives: Red 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 6,219	i posted this in ofer's thread, thought i would post here also, might help. i purchased some 1/4 in weather stripping, put i along the trim, and raise or lowered it in areas. This is to hold the rod and in turn, the rod create to proper gap needed. hope this help, kinda crappy vid, but oh well lupe