DIY - Camaro Dash ABL Install - GM Parts House

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

Or if you can solder you can replace the LED's in side the speedo and tach.

+1

A member just posted a DIY on the LED swap too. Doesn't look *too* hard, but I'm not a soldering expert so could be challenging for someone like me.

[mrbrans5]

Originally Posted by mrbrans5

More than that though, I'd love to have the red halos around my speedo and tach that everyone else has. Mine are blue. I know what your thinking... why do I have blue halos around my gauges when have the orange interior. Turns out, because I have a canadian car, they don't make a cluster with the orange halos for Canadian cars. Looks dumb if you ask me.

I wonder if I can just buy a US cluster with the orange halos and plug it in?

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

Or if you can solder you can replace the LED's in side the speedo and tach.

Originally Posted by stieger

+1

A member just posted a DIY on the LED swap too. Doesn't look *too* hard, but I'm not a soldering expert so could be challenging for someone like me.

Thanks stieger...

We better take this disscusion over to that thread
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162226

[irocnroll]

mrbrands5, where did you get your tubing to hold the LED and Light Pipe? What size is it and does the LED fit snug in the tubing or is it very loose. The reason I ask is the tubing I am using now is very loose and does not hold the LED snug. So anytime I make adjustments the tubing falls off the LED and its a pain to get everything lined up again.

[SummoneR]

I used 1/8" clear fish tank airline tubing. The LED and light pipe fit very snug.

[mrbrans5]

Originally Posted by irocnroll

mrbrands5, where did you get your tubing to hold the LED and Light Pipe? What size is it and does the LED fit snug in the tubing or is it very loose. The reason I ask is the tubing I am using now is very loose and does not hold the LED snug. So anytime I make adjustments the tubing falls off the LED and its a pain to get everything lined up again.

My clear tubbing fits the light pipe and the LED bulb very tight. Sorry I'm not sure of the size. I think I bought it at a store here in Canada called "Princess Auto" but I'm sure any hardware store carries it.

A very good tip from Gene Culley:

I’ll give you some words of caution. When you turn the light tube to point the reflective strip in another direction, etc., hold the vinyl tubing with your finger and clinch tight. If you don’t, when you twist the light tube, since the vinyl tubing is connected to the LED, it will eventually break off the LED. I broke two LED’s doing this. Again, make sure you hold the vinyl tubing from twisting while you’re twisting the light pipe.

I can tell you there is NO WAY to turn the light pipe in my clear tubbing. I had to remove the pipe every time I wanted to turn it a bit. It's that tight!

[FNG]

Now that I have the wiring harness & light tubes from Ofer, and the LED's from GM, I have a question... is the ABL wiring harness connector located behind the speedometer in a 2011?

I want to be sure that my ABL mod dims with the ABL in the doors.

[jdec141c]

Originally Posted by FNG

Now that I have the wiring harness & light tubes from Ofer, and the LED's from GM, I have a question... is the ABL wiring harness connector located behind the speedometer in a 2011?

I want to be sure that my ABL mod dims with the ABL in the doors.

the connector is behind the 4 gauge center console. It dims but only goes as low as the radio controls. it won't completely dim like the door panels or instrument cluster rings.

[FNG]

Hmm... so how do I fix this? I was under the impression that it would dim the same way the door lighting would.

[jdec141c]

Originally Posted by FNG

Hmm... so how do I fix this? I was under the impression that it would dim the same way the door lighting would.

It does dim. Just not completely. Go out to your car and dim the doors all the way. Your radio halos will still be visible but very dim. This is how the dash will be.

[FNG]

Originally Posted by jdec141c

It does dim. Just not completely. Go out to your car and dim the doors all the way. Your radio halos will still be visible but very dim. This is how the dash will be.

Hmm.. Is it distracting at all while driving at night? I like being able to turn off the doors, but I'm so used to them now that I don't even notice the glow while driving.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by FNG

Hmm.. Is it distracting at all while driving at night? I like being able to turn off the doors, but I'm so used to them now that I don't even notice the glow while driving.

I was worried about the same thing when I was thinking of doing this mod. Honestly though, it just blends in with the rest of the ABL. Not distracting at all.

[FNG]

Originally Posted by stieger

I was worried about the same thing when I was thinking of doing this mod. Honestly though, it just blends in with the rest of the ABL. Not distracting at all.

Thanks; that's reassuring.... With that, I'll begin the installation process on Friday.. hopefully it won't take too long.

[Drago77]

Hey guys, I've been watching his thread for a loooong time, I'm ready to pull the trigger, just need to know what parts and where to get them from- I know its covered in several of the 1,000 posts in here, but its taking forever searching from my phone...

I have a 2011 2SS, I want to complete the dash (non drill) and "fix/complete" the doors

If someone can list the resources for me, id greatly appreciate it

[jdec141c]

Originally Posted by Drago77

Hey guys, I've been watching his thread for a loooong time, I'm ready to pull the trigger, just need to know what parts and where to get them from- I know its covered in several of the 1,000 posts in here, but its taking forever searching from my phone...

I have a 2011 2SS, I want to complete the dash (non drill) and "fix/complete" the doors

If someone can list the resources for me, id greatly appreciate it

Ofer can sell you everything you need. Send him a pm 2SSRS