Mini DIY Ashtray to Storage tray light

I don't know if anyone even needs a guide for this but since I was going to be doing this for myself, I mind as well document it.

So this guide is how to relocate the OEM ashtray light up to the tray that is above/below the stereo head unit.

It's a really simple modification, only took about 20 minutes and you will not have to do any wiring or other modifications to the car.

 

Materials Required

-Sheet of Lexan Polycarbonate (preferably 1/32 thick) or comparative clear material

-Clear RTV or some clear hardening silicone

-74-CWHP3 LED bulb (if you want to convert to LED)

 

Cost to Build

$3.49 LED

$7.50 Lexan Sheeting

+ $1.00 Blue Tint (Blue LED would have worked too)

$11.99

 

DIY Guide for Foot well lights

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea....html?t=253431

 

DIY Guide for HVAC Color Change

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251981

 

DIY Guide for Underhood light

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea....html?t=259451

 

 

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%201_zpsf0lhnqeb.jpg

 

Trace the OEM bulb housing in the location you want it on the top of the. stereo tray. Then carefully cut it out.

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%203_zpsfujjefoy.jpg

 

OPTIONAL Cut out or remove the original area the screw attached to

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%204_zpshq6i4lag.jpg

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%205_zpsfyitt2id.jpg

 

Cut a small section of lexan sheet and hold it over the hole and trace the hole, then cut and trim the lexan to fit snuggly in the hole. Then once it's where you are happy with it, us a dental pick or small tool, apply a very small amount of RTV around the perimeter of the mating surface of the lexan and tray. Use the Qtip to carefully remove extra glue without smearing it onto the lexan lens

 

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%207_zpsawxpdylq.jpg

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%2010_zpslqhyaznv.jpg

 

 

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%2011_zps6rafapif.jpg

 

Clean up the extra glue and then glue the bulb housing to the top of the tray and let cure for however long your glue says.

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%2012_zpsyckf186n.jpg

 

Pro tip: DO NOT use super glue, it'll ruin the lexan

 

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%208_zpsemnrmxkh.jpg

 

I will have pictures of it installed soon.

Just another little update:

I decided I wanted to match the rest of the dash color so I made a new Lexan lens and applied blue tint

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%2012_zpsp68uouir.jpg

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/Tray%20Light%2015_zpsih7e1bac.jpg

can't wait to see how it looks installed!!

Got it installed! Sorry for the crappy picture, I took 20 ish and this was the least blurred :/

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/t637/96Brighton/DSCN2813_zpsrjvrwikh.jpg

looks good

looks good

 

Thanks, I'm happy with it. Now I just have to figure out how to do the HVAC controls in blue. I'll make another DIY for that I guess

I just ordered t3 twist bulbs that are a single LED. The come in blue, so you could swap those into the HVAC. Not sure how the eblue would look through the green tint, you may need to try that route!

I just ordered t3 twist bulbs that are a single LED. The come in blue, so you could swap those into the HVAC. Not sure how the eblue would look through the green tint, you may need to try that route!

 

I actually just took apart my spare HVAC unit and did the whole blue conversion for the DIY, there are actually just little light bulbs and they are soldered in very simply to the board, so I'm going to install it tomorrow and see if I like it, if not then I'll run over to radioshack and pick up some white or blue LEDS.