How To: LED Map Light Conversion (Overhead Console)

[Mean Green]

In the following article, I shall explain the steps to complete a LED retro-fit into the Map Lights in the overhead consoles of the GMT400's.

Tools Required:

• Flat Screw Driver
• Dremel Tool (Or round file)

Skill Level: Moderate

Required Materials:

• #194 (T10) LED's of your choice. A 9 SMD LED bulb is the largest bulb that will fit into the housing (Length AND width wise). I used a White 9 SMD (3 Cell per SMD) for this, and worked out great!

Time Required: Approximately 1 hour


Step 1: To begin with, your going to have to remove the reflector/bulb holder assy. If you look at the center of the lens, you will notice a Torx style shape in the lens. Take a flat screw driver and gently insert it into these grooves, turn the assy counter-clockwise and it will release from the console. Be careful to catch it and not let it fall to the floor!

You must be registered for see images attach

(after removing the assy. from the overhead console)

You must be registered for see images attach

(Stock photo of the style of LED I used)

Step 2: You will now see the bulb holder at the top of the assy. It is black in color and had 2 copper colored contacts on the top of it. It is held into the top of the housing by 2 plastic clips that are released by pressing them in with a small screwdriver. After you have the bulb holder out of the light housing you are ready to proceed to step #3!

Step 3: Start off by placing the new LED bulb into the bulb holder, and test fit it into the housing to see how much your going to need to clearance the housing (this will vary due to different style bulbs). The hole inside the housing is round, the style of LED i used is square.

You must be registered for see images attach

(Picture of the part your going to make square)

Step 4: Using your Dremel tool or a round file, start taking material off the sides off the holder (The narrow part that goes from the main reflector to the piece that houses the bulb holder). Your going to have to take a good amount of material off of this are in order for the LED to fit. Take little by little to ensure you don't take to much off. Then flip the housing on end (how it sits in the console) and make the round hole inside the housing square. Make it as large as possible without corrupting the integrity of the housing. The LED I used, sits about 1mm above the lens when fully installed.

Step 5: With your dremel, go to the very top leading edge of the reflector housing and clearance it a bit to allow room for the square LED to fit into the reflector. Keep test fitting until the LED slides into the housing without any force.

Step 6: Blow out all the filings with compressed air or other means. Just make sure to get all the stuff out of there so it doesn't sit on top the lens and affect the light output.

Step 7: Install new LED bulb into the housing and re-install the housing back into the overhead console by doing step 1 in reverse. Now repeat for the other map light!

You must be registered for see images attach

(Picture showing the difference in intensity, color and light output between the original style bulb vs the new WHITE LED Bulb on the right)

You must be registered for see images attach

(Picture of both map lights converted to 9 SMD WHITE LED's)

You must be registered for see images attach

(Photo of light output. NOTE: a 12 SMD LED is also installed in the dome lamp)

I hope this helps anybody that is looking to do this out! It was a VERY worth while upgrade to do, as the light output is FAR superior of that of what it replaced! And the color is also a very eye pleasing upgrade as it appears much more intense and cleaner looking!

 

[TruckinAin4Sissies]

Cool mod.

 

[borahshadow]

Going to do this as soon as my LEDs get here. I would have realized that I had to do it eventually when I saw that the LEDs didn't fit without moding but now it's nice to have some advance warning and some tips for how to do it. Thanks!

 

[Devs93]

Nice write up I was able to fit 20 smd 194's in mine I used a unibit to make the hole bigger

 

[mjleg]

I did this too actually, but I used three superbright leds with the built in resistors for 12v systems. I like the bulb you used though. Mine actually all burnt out but one. I wonder how good the resistors were. I haven't gotten around to fixing it yet. Mind you the one superbright led is prob better then both originals....

 

[DRAGGIN95]

Look's great!

 

[MOBS]

I did this too actually, but I used three superbright leds with the built in resistors for 12v systems. I like the bulb you used though. Mine actually all burnt out but one. I wonder how good the resistors were. I haven't gotten around to fixing it yet. Mind you the one superbright led is prob better then both originals....

SBL does not make most of their own stuff, they're an online retail store and order their stuff in large quantities from different chinese suppliers. Hence why some of their stuff lasts and some doesn't........difference in quality of suppliers.

 

[Mean Green]

SBL does not make most of their own stuff, they're an online retail store and order their stuff in large quantities from different chinese suppliers. Hence why some of their stuff lasts and some doesn't........difference in quality of suppliers.

Absolutely right Mobs!! A very common misconception is that SBL's is the "King" of LED's and they are so much better quality etc etc. SBL is the king of advertising for LED's and personally I think they are a bit overpriced. I've seen there bulbs and I don't think there any better then the rest of them out there.

For this particular task, I used LED's from a eBay supplier and I was very happy with the quality and light output!

With that being said, I have also personally used LED's from Mobs, and his are VERY well built and are a overall great quality LED. I would highly recommend contacting Mike (MOBS) about LED's. He's an extemely knowledgeable person on the topic, and puts out an excellent product!

 

[Mean Green]

Look's great!

Thanks man!!

 

[borahshadow]

Absolutely right Mobs!! A very common misconception is that SBL's is the "King" of LED's and they are so much better quality etc etc. SBL is the king of advertising for LED's and personally I think they are a bit overpriced. I've seen there bulbs and I don't think there any better then the rest of them out there.

For this particular task, I used LED's from a eBay supplier and I was very happy with the quality and light output!

With that being said, I have also personally used LED's from Mobs, and his are VERY well built and are a overall great quality LED. I would highly recommend contacting Mike (MOBS) about LED's. He's an extemely knowledgeable person on the topic, and puts out an excellent product!

You are the one who convinced me to buy my LEDs on eBay. They were literally more than 50% cheaper. I could get a pair of bulbs for less than what I could get 1 from SBL for.
The only problem is I have to wait for the slow shipping from China on some of the LEDs that I bought. That and the fact that they are from China and so I'm not supporting the USA economy with my (small) LED purchase. Minor things I can deal with to get lots more LED for the money. I'll have several spares this way and I accidentally ordered like 3 different festoon bulbs so I'm going to give one to my brother for his GMT-400 and then I'll still have a spare.