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How to turn a 5 min job into a 3 hour job ...

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by rockjockey, Oct 29, 2016.

  1. Oct 29, 2016 at 6:52 PM
    #1
    rockjockey

    rockjockey [OP] Per ardua ad astra!

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    An idiot's tale:

    - decide to change out roof console map light bulbs with LEDs in my 2016 CM
    - pop off plastic lens cover - no problem
    - attempt to remove bulb with fingers - burn fingers and say a bad word
    - attempt to remove bulb with needle-nosed pliers - manage to blow the fuse controlling lights
    - check manuals - confusing as to which fuse controls interior lights
    - assume (incorrectly) that interior lights = interior fuse box
    - attempt to access interior fuse box while lying upside down in wheel well & wearing bifocals
    - say two bad words
    - check all 7.5 amp mini fuses and drop the last one behind the kick panel while replacing it
    - say three bad words
    - remove kick panel & recover fuse & replace kick panel
    - swallow pride and log in to Tundras.com forum
    - get almost immediate answer to fuse location question (thanks again, NinjaTurtle!)
    - open hood and locate correct fuse
    - run to auto parts store & discover they don't sell packages of multiple 7.5 amp mini fuses
    - buy pkg of assorted mini fuses for $5 to get one 7.5 amp mini fuse
    - mutter to self to avoid saying bad words out loud in store
    - return home and attempt to replace mini fuse under hood - drop fuse under battery tray
    - say four bad words
    - go to three more auto parts stores in order to find another 7.5 amp mini fuse
    - return home and manage to replace fuse and install LED bulb
    - celebrate too early
    - pop plastic lens off other side thinking this will be a breeze now that I'm an expert
    - remove old bulb successfully
    - attempt to install new bulb - in doing so manage to loosen metal contact in console housing
    - discover there is no way to fix contacts without removing roof console
    - curse a blue streak using all the words I learned from three generations of farmers
    - return to Tundras.com forum and ask if anyone has link to video showing removal of said console? ....

    On the plus side, not once did I have to stop and look for my 10mm socket.
     
  2. Oct 29, 2016 at 6:58 PM
    #2
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Lmao!!
     
    Major likes this.
  3. Oct 29, 2016 at 7:03 PM
    #3
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    :rofl:That's some funny shit!
     
  4. Oct 29, 2016 at 7:19 PM
    #4
    TexasMofo

    TexasMofo New Member

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    Illegal Tint 2 Shims/ 3 inch Shacke
    Feel your pain
     
  5. Oct 29, 2016 at 7:21 PM
    #5
    Law323

    Law323 it’s only weird if you make it weird

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    LOL yep. Took me an hour and a half to get mine in.

    Murphy's Law takes precedence over smooth sailing every damn time!!
     
    GODZILLA, 4x4_Angel, geno0506 and 4 others like this.
  6. Oct 29, 2016 at 7:31 PM
    #6
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    That is really really well written! Funny stuff. I feel your pain, and this particular bullet I saw coming and dodged. I wanted to do this mod but after reading 30 plus posts about it going south (some from fuses, some from broken light connector parts, some from bad lights from manufacturers, etc) I decided that the factory lighting was okay
     
  7. Oct 29, 2016 at 7:49 PM
    #7
    FirstGenTundra

    FirstGenTundra R2R

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    Yup, been there... Done that. :frusty:
     
    kenomouth64, geno0506 and driverdog like this.
  8. Oct 29, 2016 at 7:56 PM
    #8
    Tacogrande

    Tacogrande New Member

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    What pisses me off is that these trucks should come with premium bulbs already! I dont wanna dick with it!
     
  9. Oct 29, 2016 at 8:01 PM
    #9
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Well I just spit coffee all over the place.

    Post of the year entry? I think so....
     
  10. Oct 29, 2016 at 8:07 PM
    #10
    rockjockey

    rockjockey [OP] Per ardua ad astra!

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    Glad to know I'm not the only one who had trouble with this. I hereby promote myself from idiot to doofus!
     
  11. Oct 29, 2016 at 8:19 PM
    #11
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I would call your little problem a learning experience and maybe a good reason to have some bourbon tonight.

    There was a thread on TundraTalk on a guy taking off all his factory emblems. He couldn't get the glue off and it was the funniest thread I have ever read.
     
  12. Oct 29, 2016 at 8:27 PM
    #12
    rockjockey

    rockjockey [OP] Per ardua ad astra!

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    Oh yeah, I forgot to list the step involving whiskey. That was repeated several times to good effect.
     
  13. Oct 29, 2016 at 8:51 PM
    #13
    mudsweatngearz

    mudsweatngearz New Member

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    Window tint
    Easy way to do it:
    1) Think about doing the LED mod
    2) Read up on other members experiences with doing the LED mod and having many many problems.
    3) Realize my factory lighting is just fine and not to fuk with it.
     
    Tom Sleight, Big J, Piney and 15 others like this.
  14. Oct 29, 2016 at 8:57 PM
    #14
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    haha my story last week end..going again at it tomorrow since now I got new LEDs..oh and HIDs too...
     
  15. Oct 29, 2016 at 8:59 PM
    #15
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    @csuviper or @Sean266 removed the console housing. It's in one of their posts with pictures.
     
  16. Oct 29, 2016 at 9:05 PM
    #16
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
  17. Oct 29, 2016 at 9:09 PM
    #17
    NinjaTurtle

    NinjaTurtle New Member

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    Removing the console is easy, just have to pop the card holder trim with some sort of soft pry tool, 2 torx bolts under there, I think T30 or T35. Then 2 more torx in the sunglass holder. I can check the size in the morning if you want.

    That's how it is on my double cab.
     
    rockjockey[OP] likes this.
  18. Oct 29, 2016 at 9:16 PM
    #18
    joeguam

    joeguam New Member

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    Hilarious
     
  19. Oct 30, 2016 at 2:33 AM
    #19
    aperezsh

    aperezsh Blessed are the peacemakers

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    A little this and that...Broke now
    wisdom knot's on my head from laughing so hard..sounds like almost every job I ever did
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  20. Oct 30, 2016 at 5:52 AM
    #20
    rockjockey

    rockjockey [OP] Per ardua ad astra!

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    Thanks for all the kind comments and suggestions - will tackle the console today now that I have a better idea how it comes off (as usual, info from this site SO much better than what's in the manual).
     
  21. Oct 30, 2016 at 6:02 AM
    #21
    NJMIke

    NJMIke New Member

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    Damn you had me laughing so hard at this. Changed mine with similar results including the search for 7.5amp fuses at 4 auto stores. Toyota furnishes a few spare fuses in your box but not the 7.5 amp ones.

    Other differences were:
    - much more cussing (dad would have been proud)
    - lots of whiskey (dad would have been jealous)
    - I did get some good advice from Law about being careful about removing map light reflector. I was not careful enough and broke off one of only two ears that holds it in place. Just put it back together without the map light left side reflector. I'll put it back some day with glue?
    - led bulb contact end width is a little wider than std bulb which makes it easy to crush/distort contacts which I did on the 1st one changed
    - used pliers to straighten contacts is how I blew my fuse
    - total frustration with the thin contact wires on led bulbs not making good contact. Finally figured easy solution was to rebend the wires to hit socket contacts better
    I do like the led light though once all has been completed.
     
  22. Oct 30, 2016 at 7:08 AM
    #22
    CM-LENNY

    CM-LENNY No Complaints

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    Just caught your post. I did my weekend morning routine. Got up and took a leak, brushed my teeth, put some coffee on and turned on the computer. Even after my morning leak, I think I still pissed my pants laughing reading your thread John. That's one of the things that makes this forum so GREAT. We can all struggle with our projects on our trucks and still get a laugh out of it. I don't want to wet my pants again, so think I'll stick with the OEM lighting. Good luck finishing up the project.
     
    GODZILLA and rockjockey[OP] like this.
  23. Oct 30, 2016 at 10:11 AM
    #23
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    btw would it be best to remove fuse during LED install or disconnect battery ? seems like it might be easier to remove fuse the check all LEDs OK (polarity) then put it back instead of keeping connecting/disconnecting battery.
     
  24. Oct 30, 2016 at 10:11 AM
    #24
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    this post should be a sticky IMO to warn future members. This is very common. my 0.02
     
    aperezsh, rons23, driverdog and 2 others like this.
  25. Oct 30, 2016 at 10:12 AM
    #25
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    I think just the fuse is good enough. I don't like disconnecting battery if it's not necessary.
     
  26. Oct 30, 2016 at 10:14 AM
    #26
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    just wanna make sure I'm not shorting another circuit somewehere else..lol..I just got my VLEDS in...so I'm ready to tackle the project..take #2 !
     
    Law323 likes this.
  27. Oct 30, 2016 at 10:29 AM
    #27
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    Exactly!
     
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  28. Oct 30, 2016 at 3:15 PM
    #28
    rockjockey

    rockjockey [OP] Per ardua ad astra!

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    Yeah, Mike, I also thought I could get the reflector out without damaging it (hah!). Hopefully I can get it back in properly when I take the console out to fix the contacts. I'll be doing that this week and will take lots of pic to hopefully help those who attempt this in the future. Also, thanks to csuviper for the link to the pics of the console! Thanks, guys - love this forum!
     
  29. Oct 30, 2016 at 4:12 PM
    #29
    rockjockey

    rockjockey [OP] Per ardua ad astra!

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    Since I had so much trouble finding 7.5 amp fuses, here are a few links to sites that sell them in multiples ...

    5 pack from Amazon (5 pack for $7.99 + $4.79 S+H)
    https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Lexus...r=1-15&keywords=7.5+amp+low+profile+mini+fuse

    Del City (order as many as you want, $0.78 ea):
    https://www.delcity.net/catalogdetails?item=87075

    Cloud Electric (order as many as you want, $0.52 ea):
    http://www.cloudelectric.com/product-p/wirth-24157.htm

    Not sure about shipping for the last two sites - didn't want to go through checkout just to get shipping cost.
    If you search for these fuses on the web make sure you specify LOW PROFILE mini fuses, which look like this:

    image.jpg


    If you just search for "mini fuse", you'll get these (which you DON'T want):

    image.jpg
     
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  30. Oct 30, 2016 at 4:52 PM
    #30
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    finished installing my VLEDS. no issues to report. I made sure to remove fuse during work. Map lights shields were a bitch to put back on.
    I also installed the foot well LED kit while I was at it. very nice feature IMO.

    I got my LEDs from vleds.com
    they have 15% off right now.

    http://www.vleds.com/shop-application/footwell/74/tundra-fwk-bar.html
     

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