Did a search & came up empty...

Has anyone tried installing some red LED lighting in the upper console. (similar to Audi & BMW).
I think it would help a night to see some of the unlit controls such as on the steering wheel.

<font color=blue>04 Silverstone G35, 5AT, Prem, Aero
ES100 225/45-18 front 245/40-18 rear
HKS & Y-pipe, Z-tube, Eibach, 35%Tints</font color=blue>

 

I installed ambient lighting in the footwells. I don't really see a purpose for the steering wheel controls. It only takes like 15 minutes to figure out the controls and have them memorized by the time you get home from the dealership.

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I do a lot of driving on unlit roads.
It would be good to be able to see arround the interior.

Maybe the footwell lights would be the answer.
Do you have yours on all the time with the lights?

<font color=blue>04 Silverstone G35, 5AT, Prem, Aero
ES100 225/45-18 front 245/40-18 rear
HKS & Y-pipe, Z-tube, Eibach, 35%Tints</font color=blue>

 

Yes. They only turn on when the outside lights are on. Works with the dimmer also. If you really want, you could have a separate switch for them, but I like the integrated look. Do you have a picture of the lights on the BMW?

I don't like that much light inside the cabin at night, so having lights from above might be too much. I'd have to see pictures or see it in person.

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No pics....
It's hard to show in a pic.

Basically creates a soft glow, you don't really notice it.
But when you reach out to the controls you can see where you are reaching (soft glow on back of your hand)

What type of light did you use for the footwells?

<font color=blue>04 Silverstone G35, 5AT, Prem, Aero
ES100 225/45-18 front 245/40-18 rear
HKS & Y-pipe, Z-tube, Eibach, 35%Tints</font color=blue>

 

an LED.

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Use an amber wide angle LED instead. That will give you a more integrated look. Hook it up to the cigarette lighter ring and add a separate switch if you want it off at times. I am in the process of fabricating a interior light at the footwell that will only light up when the doors open. It's actually not that hard to do, just add a pressure switch for the ground and the panel where the door meets the console. Voila!


CPV35 G35C Maliblue

 

I did ambers under the dash and under the driver/passenger seats (rear firing)

I remember there was a post back in Oct-Dec 03 where someone did a step bystep for putting a couple of LEDs in the bottom of our mirror (you need the mirror with home link for power) anyway... here's what mine look like:













'03.5 Sedan 5a: BS/G, Prem, Aero/Body, Sport, Nav
Click for MODS - www.teamtransport.org

 

I did the same amber LEDs in the footwells, wired to the cig lighter, so they are always on when the car is on. If you sand your LEDs with polishing sand paper, it will diffuse the light more and you won't get any of the spotlight affect you see in the photos.

 

actually, I did sand mine with 00 emory paper. You see a "spotlight" only because there was ambient light during the photo, so only the brightest light shows. At night it is very diffused and subdued.

-T

'03.5 Sedan 5a: BS/G, Prem, Aero/Body, Sport, Nav
Click for MODS - www.teamtransport.org/forums