DIY: Ambient lighting, cup holder, under the dash, and the change pocket.

[mishima8]

Here is a little DIY that I did yesterday and finished today. You will need a few tools:

1 Screw Driver (or cordless drill)
1 Phillips head bit
1 Hex bit T10
1 Hex bit T20
LEDs (I bought mine from Pep Boys) - they are pre-assembled and good quality. They are made by Pilot Automotive.
2 T Taps to tap into the cigarette lighter

This is the package I purchased. I like these better than the ones from APC or StreetGlow. They are 6.99 for a three pack. The order I am showing this can be reversed, in fact you can see the other ones I did the day prior.



1. Remove the shift knob.
2. Remove the shifter assembly.

3. Remove the plastic clip on the passenger side.

4. Remove the plastic clip from the drivers side.

5. Open the center console. Remove the rubber cover on the bottom, and you will see two screws.

6. Remove these screws under the shifter assembly you removed in step 2. The two screws are the outer ones.

7. Disconnect the plug from under the console.

8. Pull the console back from the front and up. There is very little space so be careful. I removed the whole console so I could work on it in the house.

9. Unscrew the six (6) hex screws from the bottom. Turn over and remove the two from the top. This will release the cup holder and change pocket. You have to pull apart the sides to release.


10. Here is the removed cup holder etc.

11. Drive the holes where you want the lights to come from:



12. Insert the LED holders.

13. Wire the LEDs together. Simple black for ground, red for positive. I then scuffed and dremeled the LEDs so they were flat. This made the light less focused. It also makes them flush when inserted into the LED holder.

14. Connect the LEDs to a 9V battery to test.


15. Reassemble the assembly making sure you get everything fit back together properly. I cable tied and taped things to keep them from hanging.

16. Trim the LED wires and place them into the T-Tap male assembly.


17. Tap into the yellow wire (power) and the black (ground).

18. Reassemble and reattach is reverse. I will get some night pics later.

Part two next ... Lighting up the floors ...

[CameronJr9]

Great DIY. Thanks!

You tapped into the 12V accessory wires. So, these are on whenever the car is on? Just curious. I know some people that would want to do this might tap into the headlights so they're only on at night.

[mishima8]

You do not really need any tools except for the drill bit 7/32 and drill.

1. Remove the cover under the drivers side and passenger side dash. A quick yank and they come free. Most of the clips are good quality plastic (Heavy Duty) so they shouldn't break.
2. Drill holes as needed. I have three on each panel.

3. Insert the LED holder into the holes.
4. Scuff the LEDs and dremel them down to create a less focused light.

5. Route the wires together, this will help assembly out at the car. I also tested them prior to installation.



6. Go back to the car and lay the covers on the floor. You can tie them together now. Route the wires by the transmission tunnel, behind the radio etc.



7. Merge the wires and insert into the wiretaps. Connect to a power and ground. I tapped into the fuse box.


8. Turn the key on in the ignition and viola!


The LEDs are visible in the pic, it looks really nice at nice. Very subtle. I will make some adjustments tonight to adjust some of the lighting and take more pics.

[mishima8]

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Great DIY. Thanks!

You tapped into the 12V accessory wires. So, these are on whenever the car is on? Just curious. I know some people that would want to do this might tap into the headlights so they're only on at night.

I did, they are only on when the key is turned on. Considering the power draw is so small, it should not be too big an issue. :-)

[56civic]

looks nice.

I'm doing mines next week, but in blue.

[mishima8]

Originally Posted by 56civic

looks nice.

I'm doing mines next week, but in blue.

Cool, take some pics. It's raining pretty hard so I need to wait on the pics I wanted to take ... :Mad:

[MordeKyle]

Originally Posted by mishima8

im so confused?!?!? thats an Si right? i thought the Si had a hanging gas pedal...

[rippars]

Originally Posted by MordeKyle

im so confused?!?!? thats an Si right? i thought the Si had a hanging gas pedal...

nope... the pedal comes out from the floor as well..

edit...
some pics:

[imtim25]

nice write up

[Seemund]

nice but the leds look weak (maybe just my monitor)

[mishima8]

Originally Posted by Seemund

nice but the leds look weak (maybe just my monitor)

They are very subtle. You can't see them well during the day, but they look nice at night. The pics don't do them justice. :-)

[acrobles]

that seem s pretty easy i might just try it out myself. thanks for the well done DIY.

[AbsoluteGG]

i only like the ones in the little slot and cup holders. i kinda think the ones on that light the floor are a little ricey.

[mishima8]

Originally Posted by acrobles

that seem s pretty easy i might just try it out myself. thanks for the well done DIY.

It is easy. No problem. And remember, rice is a healthy food in moderation!

[56civic]

mishima-

well, here's mines as promised. My friend just did 'em today.

3- Blue LEDs each on driver's side and pax side,
1- Blue LED in the center pocket hole thingie.

This pic was taken in the garage with all the lights out, and based on that alone, I feel that it's not as bright as I was hoping it'd be. But who knows, maybe after I drive it at night I might actually like it. Only thing that I don't care about are the fact that the LEDs produce a "spot" pattern. Looks kinda funny IMO, so I might change them to the "tube" type lights. Ah, we'll see.

[mishima8]

Originally Posted by 56civic

mishima-

well, here's mines as promised. My friend just did 'em today.

3- Blue LEDs each on driver's side and pax side,
1- Blue LED in the center pocket hole thingie.

This pic was taken in the garage with all the lights out, and based on that alone, I feel that it's not as bright as I was hoping it'd be. But who knows, maybe after I drive it at night I might actually like it. Only thing that I don't care about are the fact that the LEDs produce a "spot" pattern. Looks kinda funny IMO, so I might change them to the "tube" type lights. Ah, we'll see.

You need to flatten them out and scuff them. That will make the light disperse more. Not bad though. I like the subtle look more than the brighter than the sun look ... :-)

[ShaneWdrd]

Just got finished doing mine thanks for the post. I was debating wether to do it or not because I wasn't sure how it would look. I did mine all blue since I have an EX. Will try and get a shot tonight when it is dark.

[ohiocivicracer]

I should be doing mine shortly, i will be doing the cup holders, under pass and driver side, and then lining the back with them...

i will take pix when i done


What type of LEDS do i need? can i go to radioshack and buy like wide angle leds that just have postive and negitive? or do i need a resister on them?

[mishima8]

Originally Posted by ohiocivicracer

I should be doing mine shortly, i will be doing the cup holders, under pass and driver side, and then lining the back with them...

i will take pix when i done


What type of LEDS do i need? can i go to radioshack and buy like wide angle leds that just have postive and negitive? or do i need a resister on them?

I used the one mentioned in the first post, made by a company called RedLine. You could make your own from the ones at RadioShack, but these come pre-wired. Ideally you would need resisters, but I haven't used them in the cars I have done.

I still need to take pics, but it's been busy at work and taking pics at night hasn't been a priority.

[ohiocivicracer]

ya... ill go run n get resiters tomorrow...


i got super bright wideangel leds

like 1.39 each