LED cupholders in Gen 1 X

[Bashman]

I decided to install a set of cupholder LEDs in the ol' beast. Many thanks and props to Bmxboy (Carleton) for his idea, write up and e-mail help and also thanks to '96explorereddiebauer (Billy) for his write up.

To begin with I removed my center console, to save space here is the link to Crankcase's write up on removal. You only need to do the first 6 steps.Crankcase's center console R&I

I also removed the lower instrument panel cover and lower panel reinforcement.
I mounted the switch to the right of the Apten switch on the reinforcement panel.

I decided to tap power off the light green and orange wire at the glove box light. I found it very accessable since you only have to push in the sides of the glovebox to get it to open right up.

 

[Bashman]

I ran the wire behind the foam in the glove box and down along the inside lip of the removable lower "grey fuzzy " panel. I brought it through the supports under the heater controls and soldered it to the switch.

I drilled the four holes in the cupholders.

I siliconed the four LED's in place and let dry overnight. Although it is white in the picture, it turned clear when dry.

I fished a power wire under the carpeting up to the switch where it was soldered onto and found the nuts at the base of the front support to be a good ground. Since I used solid wire for this project, I stripped the end, wrapped it around the bolt and tighted a second nut on top of the wire to make a good connection.

EDIT: I used a straightened out coat hanger to fish under the carpet then taped the red wire to it.

 

[Bashman]

I drilled a 1/4" hole in the console and brought the wires through.

After everything was dry, I connected the red wires to the power wire and the blacks to ground using small marr connectors.

Here are my purple LEDs on two different size bottles.

Here they are a little later at night. I went with a swiched set up since the glove box light always has power to it even with the ignition off and I don't have to have them on all the time.

 

[Bmxboy]

Looks awsome Thanks for the props!

Carleton

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Looks awesome man!! Good job!! What color is are they?? They look purple to me. But then again, I might be just tired because of driving 6 hours straight.

 

[Bashman]

Your eyes do not deceive you. They are purple. I got them through thezeb.com.

 

[Brian97V8]

where did you get the LEDS at?

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

You can get 3 of them at Autozone for $10. I've got some installed at the cupholder too. Click on the link in my sig to see the pics.

 

[Brian97V8]

Originally posted by '96explorereddiebauer
You can get 3 of them at Autozone for $10. I've got some installed at the cupholder too. Click on the link in my sig to see the pics.

got some this afternoon. Now I just need to decide if i want to put them in the bottom or on the side. From the pics i saw they must be bright little things.

 

[Brian97V8]

I just got that project done - took no time at all and they look great so far. I would take some pics but right now the camera battery is still charging.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Congratulations!! Take some pics whenever the camara is charged!!

 

[EliteConcept]

looks very good, nicely done

 

[Brian97V8]

Well I realized it will be easier to upload and attach the PICS once I am elite so I finally signed up today.

What I did was install one in each for now and possibly more later. On the package it said to drill a 9/64 hole but I drilled one 7/64. It allowed me to put the bulb in from the back and it is tight enough that I did not need to glue it or anything. Also, when not on they are really hard to see, unless you know what you are looking for.

If you cant wait go here - http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ja...=&.view=t&.done=http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com

I have not had them on at night yet but I think they are going to be just the ticket. Expect night pics later

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Looks very very nice!! Good job!! Don't worry about the cops. It's not bright enough to light up the interior so I do not believe cops will notice it that much. But then again, I wired mine to the dimming circuit so the LED's can be dimmed with the dimmer along with the rest of the dash illumination.

 

[Brian97V8]

what wire do i have to find to use the dimming circuit?

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I have an ashtray light with mine because mine is the older model. There're three wires going into the ashtray light. Here's the writeup for this particular install:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=78399

 

[Brian97V8]

I think i am going to try and find the wire that controls the lights in the radio/fog lights/or something along those lines. Then again when I finally get to use them at night they might not be that bright to have to do the "extra" work

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Leave it like that Brian. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Brian97V8]

Originally posted by '96explorereddiebauer
Leave it like that Brian. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

now where is the FUN in THAT???

I will probably leave it alone until my bulldog remote gets in. Then who knows