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Dome Light Change

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Larry_R, Jun 28, 2007.

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  1. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    I've got the Prius, and luv it! BUT I want to put LED lights in the "dome" fixtures. But I can't seem to figger out how to get the plastic covers off the lights without scratching them. Any hints and helpful suggestions will be welcome. I'll be putting in LED "festoon" 31mm lights, which are whiter and use MUCH less electricity.

    thanx in advance. . . . .
     
    #1 Larry_R, Jun 28, 2007
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Just use a phillips screwdriver and wedge it out. Just look for an "indent" in the plastic where you can slot the screwdriver in (that way you know you're not going to break the clips).


    For the front, there are 3 places to wedge. The rear dome has one. Unfortunately, the exact location (towards the front or the rear of the car) escapes me right now and I don't want to throw out what I think it is and have you scream at me if you broke the clips.

    But yeah, look closely and you should see small rectangular "indents" or holes where you can slot the screwdriver in.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Jun 28, 2007
  3. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 28 2007, 09:40 PM) [snapback]469774[/snapback]</div>
    You're sure it's a Phillips screwdriver, and not a blade screwdriver? Phillips sounds rather awkward to me, but I'll take a closer look at the plastic in the morning.
    Thanks for your reply!
     
    #3 Larry_R, Jun 28, 2007
  4. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    A small 1/8" flat blade screwdriver will work better than a Phillips, for sure. You may want to put a single layer of vinyl electrical tape over the end to make the edge softer. I believe the tiny notches in the edge of the lens are in the edge toward the front of the car, IIRC, and it doesn't take a lot of force to pop the plastic lens off either the maps in front or the dome over the back seat. If you have strong fingernails, try those first.
     
    #4 Bill Merchant, Jun 29, 2007
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wryter @ Jun 28 2007, 08:23 PM) [snapback]469819[/snapback]</div>
    ooops. Yes, a flat blade screwdriver works better :wacko: . My mistake.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jun 29, 2007
  6. pingman

    pingman New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wryter @ Jun 28 2007, 04:19 PM) [snapback]469659[/snapback]</div>

    i used a penny its smooth and works fine but i used two different kinds of led's from pepboys and they look good but are not bright at all compared to the normal bulbs
     
    #6 pingman, Jun 29, 2007
  7. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    Hey, y'all - thanks for the heads-up! Much appreciated. . .

    As a former sailor and private pilot, I'm always on the lookout for interior lighting that is nighttime user-friendly. With that in mind - I discovered Toyota's neat-oh "three-light" setup over the driver/passenger seats - and thought: "what a wonderful place to put RED, not white, LEDs! So - I'll be digging into the fixture this weekend, and will order not one but three festoon LEDs - white for the center door-open light, and red for the two "map lights" on either side.

    Will post my results (good or bad!) once I get the lights and install them. Autoillumination.com has many different sizes and types, as does Amazon.com.

    Luv the Prius, which my wife says has "only one name: Cara Verdi," or, very loosely translated from the Italian: "My dear green one." Hmm. . .OK. When Moma's happy. . . . .well, you know.
     
    #7 Larry_R, Jun 29, 2007
  8. RinMI

    RinMI New Member

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    Hey, that's a nice idea. In lieu of changing the bulbs out is there any sort of coating I could use on the stock bulbs to change the color and see what I like until I get the LED's? Worst case scenario, I could check with the theater manager for some gel film which they use for theater lighting.
     
    #8 RinMI, Jun 29, 2007
  9. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RinMI @ Jun 29 2007, 10:00 AM) [snapback]469988[/snapback]</div>
    Theatre gel film "might" work - but please rememeber that these liddle lights get HOT! I would NOT try fingernail polish or paint. Will burn off - trust me on this! If I were you, I'd wait for the LEDs - just my berry humbul opin-yun. (grin)
     
    #9 Larry_R, Jun 29, 2007
  10. RinMI

    RinMI New Member

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    If you get the P/N's for them could you post them for the rest of us?
     
    #10 RinMI, Jun 29, 2007
  11. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RinMI @ Jun 29 2007, 10:05 AM) [snapback]469993[/snapback]</div>
    You bet - I'll be working on that in a couple of hours. Stay tuned.

    Also - please see my new topic on "More Trunk Light" soon to be in the Modifications forum. Except, I don't know how to attach photos! Will work on that.
     
    #11 Larry_R, Jun 29, 2007
  12. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    OK, here we go with what I've ordered for dome lights in my Prius.

    They're from www.autolumination.com.

    They don't have a specific part number, except that they are 31 mm long, replace lamp 3022 or 3175 (same).

    They're 8.99 each, and you look under "festoon" bulbs on the bulb chart list. I'm getting 2 reds and 2 super-whites.
    Here's a pic - to help you decide.

    [attachmentid=9308]

    They've got LOTS of different festoon bulbs - I think these may be some of the best. Note that they are not WIDE like so many of them are - and thus should fit nicely.

    Hope this helps. . .I should be getting the bulbs in about ten days - I'll post pics and reviews.
     

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    #12 Larry_R, Jun 29, 2007
  13. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Um, the map and door lights in the center front are 168 wedge base bulbs. The lamp you show will fit in the dome light over the back seat and in the "vanity" lights.
     
    #13 Bill Merchant, Jun 30, 2007
  14. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Jun 30 2007, 03:54 AM) [snapback]470526[/snapback]</div>
    Uh-oh - I was going on the Toyota parts list - have not yet ripped off the plastic. The parts department guy said 3175 or 3022 for dome lights front and back. Will get back as soon as I open up the light fixture. Story of my life. . . . . .
     
    #14 Larry_R, Jun 30, 2007
  15. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    R A T S ! ! ! Thanks for the heads-up, Bill Merchant!!! I owe you, sir. . . .

    OK - dug out the plastic and said a few choice, uh, "words" when I realized that I'd been led astray by the Toyota parts mope. NOT festoon lights up there at all! All three in the front "dome" fixture are 168/194 WEDGE LIGHTS.

    Soooooo - - - - - I quickly got to the supplier, and re-ordered lights for this fixture.

    Same company - autolumination.com.

    But ordered T10 wedge bulbs - pic attached to help you select.

    Feeling rather stupid at the moment, guyz-n-galz. . .will post pic when I get and install the new bulbs.

    thanks again, Bill!!![attachmentid=9321]
     

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    #15 Larry_R, Jun 30, 2007
  16. aeronaut

    aeronaut New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wryter @ Jun 28 2007, 04:19 PM) [snapback]469659[/snapback]</div>
    Hey Wryter,

    Perhaps not exactly what you're looking for, but darelldd has posted the following mod.

    http://evnut.com/prius.htm

    I hope he doesn't mind the link, and he also posts here in PriusChat.

    Regards,
    aeronaut
     
    #16 aeronaut, Jun 30, 2007
  17. Conine

    Conine New Member

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    ok so i just accidentally pushed one of the bulbs up instead of pulling it down and now its stuck rolling around up there, is there anyway to remove the tan plastic "hub" that houses all of the stuff together so i can retrieve the bulb?
     
    #17 Conine, Jun 30, 2007
  18. Conine

    Conine New Member

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    nvm i found the two screws and pulled it out. everything is back to normal! man i love toyota for making things so simple!
     
    #18 Conine, Jun 30, 2007
  19. Larry_R

    Larry_R Wryter

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Conine @ Jun 30 2007, 02:32 PM) [snapback]470665[/snapback]</div>
    yeah - now, if they would only find a way to use the same bulbs in all the interior lighting!
     
    #19 Larry_R, Jun 30, 2007
  20. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Wryter, if you are thinking about changing the front door lights to LEDs, they are 168 wedge too, but you will want to get a side-firing (flank) LED since a front firing one (like you've ordered) will send most of the light inside the door. Something like this:
    [​IMG]
     
    #20 Bill Merchant, Jul 1, 2007
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