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Change the color of your Door controls, Dash, and overhead console!

85K views 98 replies 54 participants last post by  WSUMiller 
#1 · (Edited)
Props to Leebroox on the ChallengerForumz! His write-up inspired me to do this one.

I had been toying with the idea of doing this swap since I got the truck. I never really cared for the generic green that Mopar uses everywhere. I wanted to do a how-to on this and document everything, since I figured there are probably more that may wanna give this a shot.

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a pro electrician by any means. I simply grew up around this stuff and have a bit more knowledge than most when it comes to this. I hope this helps any of you guys that may have some doubt about doing this type of swap. It's not for the faint of heart, but it's definitely not impossible either.

I will be documenting these mods separately, and will keep them all in this thread for easy reference.
1. Door Lock/Window Controls
2. Dash Center Stack Controls (AC and Heating controls, traction control buttons, etc.)
3. Headlight Switch
4. Overhead Console including the Homelink buttons
5. Center Console PRND Shifter indicator
6. Steering Wheel Controls

The first mod is for the door lock/window controls. I am only showing the drivers door, but the other doors are all the same.
(stay tuned for the rest of the mods later, but in no specific order...)

Here's what you'll need to get started.

1) Soldering iron with a pencil tip. The smaller, the better.

2) Solder (preferrably 60/40 rosin core solder - the thinner the better)

3) De-soldering braid (solder-wick)

4) T20 Torx screwdriver

5) 2 small flat screwdrivers

6) Assorted Trim tools

6) 11 3.2mm x 2.8mm Blue LEDs (or whatever color you prefer) These are SMD (surface mounted devices) and are VERY tiny! ORDER EXTRAS! You may need a magnifier to work with these. The 2.2mm x 1.4mm LEDs are literally the size of a fleas ass! Just ask Leebroox!

These are the ones I used and recommend:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...ReHwWQlob9AISq6jrHwbBHG9J94KQHNKevPv2k5b2IKR3



Removing the controls is very simple on our trucks. Just use your choice of trim tools and pry up/remove the switch control module from the door. I'm only showing the driver's door control, but all the others are the same.

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Once that's done, simply unplug the harness.

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Take the switch inside to your workplace and disassemble.

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Be very careful when taking it apart! Make sure you do so with it upside-down so as not to have everything fall apart on the floor.

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Now we're down to the nuts of it. I opted to leave the amber on/off indicator LEDs alone. (personal preference) The hardest part here is removing the button contacts from the PCB. This piece must be de-soldered completely before removing it from the board. Try to to not get the board too hot when removing the LEDs. The traces on the board may lift, forcing you to replace the whole thing. Also, make sure you don't get the LEDs too hot when soldering them to the PCB. You will ruin them, or at the very least, shorten their lifespan.

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You MUST make absolutely sure when you're doing this mod that you have the polarity correct on the LEDs!! I can't stress this enough. These are hard enough to change as it is. You don't want to have to go back and re-do them because you got them backwards! Check the cathode on the original LED first.

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Once you have them all changed, simply reverse the above procedure for reassembly. I opted to test my work first by just plugging in the module itself in the door. You must turn on the key to see the door switches illuminate. The pic below sucks, I know. Trust me, these are very dark blue and look absolutely awesome in the dark! They are NOT white.

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I hope you guys can make some sense of all this. I'll be documenting the other stuff soon.

Scott
 

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#55 ·
Can you post pics/info of the gear you used. ie... soldering iron, tip, wattage etc. I have a gun and an iron but I think the iron would be the better choice and I'm assuming a very fine tip. I have a pointed tip but don't feel it would be small enough. I've done a little soldering but nothing this intricate. Any certain place you recommend starting as a warm up.
 
#57 ·
Those part numbers are superseded all the time. There's no way for me to keep up with all the new numbers. If you're seriously looking at doing this mod, PM me and I'll look them up again. Sorry.


Scott
 
#59 · (Edited)
Well.... Blue paint pen on a green LED. It's gonna look funny no matter what pen you use. Kinda (slightly) aqua looking. Given the intensity of the LEDs, I don't really think the pen would work on the smaller surface mount LEDs. The ones I used it on were the larger, bulb style LEDs.
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Scott
 
#62 ·
I just noticed after looking at your picture of the AC controls again, that there seems to be about 19 or 20 of those smaller LEDs behind the temperature display. Unfortunately, i didn't catch this when i was doing the center stack, so i guess i might be ripping it all out again.

Did you notice that, and have you tried getting to those???
 

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#63 ·
If I remember correctly, that LCD would have to be removed to get to those. I'm sure you would damage the LCD in the process, so in my opinion, I'd leave that alone. I'd love to change the color of that as well, but I have already replaced the controls once because I lifted some of the traces on the board while trying to get the control base out. I ended up using an extra fine soldering tip and worked around it on the new one. Luckily I have a contact at a Dodge dealer and got it at cost.
 
#67 ·
This whole process and write-up is incredible! Truely amazing work. I may attempt this process when winter really hits and I have nothing better to do. My only question for you is with buying the LEDs from different suppliers, are the colors an exact match? I know some may be brighter than other. I'd hate to take all that time and not have them match exactly. THanks for all your info!
 
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#71 ·
Great write up! I want to do this to mine! One question though - will changing these LED's void the truck's warranty? I wouldn't imagine so on window switches and AC knobs - but what about the steering wheel switches which involve removing the air bag?
 
#72 ·
I can't speak for Dodge, but I would assume that it would void the warranty on all parts you modify. Just like anything else on your truck.
 
#77 ·
Im almost done converting mine to red. Everything has been ok other than the HVAC controls. I will note to anyone that is attempting to do this on the standard HVAC controls (not dual climate control) that you can not get to the leds that are for the actual knob selector. There down inside the actual rotary assembly itself and are almost impossible to even see let alone get to so you can change them out. I attempted to change the color of the stem leading up to the lens by using a red marker but since there is a slight tint of blue in the led it makes what color? Yea freakin purple!:smiledown: I guess for now it doesn't bother me as it is something different just wanted to pass that along to anyone else attempting it. Also, unless someone else has been able to figure it out I don't believe the fan speed control knob even comes apart. I actually ended up desoldering the whole knob controller from the board and pulling it off to get to the led underneath. The problem there was that those board traces are much weaker than the ones on the doors I think because I had three that came off. I think that's why I lost my lights on that knob. I was going to attempt to go back in and fix it but Im gonna leave it for now because luckily I still have full functionality of my hvac controls and don't really want to screw that up. Im wondering what all would be involved to switch my controller out with one of the dual climate ones that Scotty85 has. At any rate I love the mod and would do it all over again!
 

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#79 ·
Freakin' awesome work man!!! I'm so glad someone got some use out of this thread. Just goes to show what a little determination and a slight bit of patience will get you.

Very nice!!

Scott
 
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