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Change map lights to red LEDs

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UglyViking

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Hey everyone, before I go out and strip my trucks overhead console to see if I can swap the LEDs I figured I'd ask here.

I have the fancy "premium" overhead console found in the Laramie and up trucks. They have a different map light design than the lower trim trucks. I'm guessing they are solid mounted to the PCB on the overhead console, but I figured I'd ask here before I go about stripping mine down.

Has anyone replaced theirs? I want to change mine over to red as I've done with all my past trucks.

Before anyone comments some variation of "why would you want to do that", I do it to maintain my "natural night vision" at night. It's helpful for camping and general outdoor activities at night. Yes, I'm aware I can simply turn them off, and that's probably what I'll do if I find I can't swap them. That said, my preference is to swap them.

Assume they are hard mounted to the board but any confirmation or data otherwise is welcomed!
 
maybe a bit simpler....can you just tint that little lense? I've thought about it...
 
IndyRamDRW said:
maybe a bit simpler....can you just tint that little lense? I've thought about it...
Click to expand...
I've also thought about that, but I don't know if I can get replacement plastic "lenses" so if I botch it I'm screwed. (At least that's how it looks from the online parts houses)

Previous trucks I've used color film used for film sets because it can withstand high heat, was cheap, and easy to cut to shape. From the looks of the unit that may be hard to do here, but maybe not impossible.
 
UglyViking said:
Hey everyone, before I go out and strip my trucks overhead console to see if I can swap the LEDs I figured I'd ask here.

I have the fancy "premium" overhead console found in the Laramie and up trucks. They have a different map light design than the lower trim trucks. I'm guessing they are solid mounted to the PCB on the overhead console, but I figured I'd ask here before I go about stripping mine down.

Has anyone replaced theirs? I want to change mine over to red as I've done with all my past trucks.

Before anyone comments some variation of "why would you want to do that", I do it to maintain my "natural night vision" at night. It's helpful for camping and general outdoor activities at night. Yes, I'm aware I can simply turn them off, and that's probably what I'll do if I find I can't swap them. That said, my preference is to swap them.

Assume they are hard mounted to the board but any confirmation or data otherwise is welcomed!
Click to expand...
Found the old Navy salt! (maybe)
 
I have turned many flashlights/Q-beams into red lensed varmint hunting lights by opening up a red marks-a-lot, removing and slicing open the felt ink reservoir and painting the inside of the lens with it. Should do the job on the outside, wouldn’t get knocked around attached to the ceiling of a truck.
Let it dry thoroughly between coats, until the desired result. It works great.
 
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There is a red “wrap” that florists use with flowers, works great. Just cut to size and place inside lens and snap back up. Used it for years in the police cars…….
 
Ronstar said:
There is a red “wrap” that florists use with flowers, works great. Just cut to size and place inside lens and snap back up. Used it for years in the police cars…….
Click to expand...
probably a stupid question but the LED doesn't emit enough heat to "melt" the thin plastic/wrap?
 
I haven't had any issues with it so far put in on the day I posted above. Now granted I don't leave the doors and stuff open for more than a minute or 2 but nothing so far. I know its not the floral wrap but if you want some of the stuff I used shoot me a meassage with address Ill send it for free I have a roll lol.
 
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In the “police” Jeeps we had the standard bulb(s) in the dome and or map lights. Taped the floral wrap up against the inside of the plastic cover. Those lights get hot but the wrap seemed to survive just fine.
Hard part was trimming the wrap to fit the cover without white showing out.
 
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