Cool free interior lighting mod. Pics
01-07-2006, 09:25 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Cool free interior lighting mod. Pics
Yes I have too much time on my hands (hey im not used to having the weekends off) :-)
Anyway, I also drive a BMW 530i on occasion and noticed that it has not one, but two amber LED "mood" lights mounted on the ceiling aiming downward to illuminate the center console area. Much like the LED mounted under our rear view mirror except these are much brighter. Since the light in the vette is next to not even noticeable I wanted to somehow make it a tad bit brighter since in my opinion it adds a neat effect. I found a way, takes 10 minutes tops, and costs nothing. NOTE: this mod only works on the earlier model C5's with the non electrochromatic mirrors (since these have a slightly re-designed LED mood light).
All you have to do is trim off the black outter piece that limits the amount of light that passes through. Your done!! Here are two pics of what you have to do to the mirror. Let me know if you have any questions.
Picture showing mirror with black outter piece still attached. Simply take a sharp blade and trim it off flush. I then added just a little glue to ensure the LED will not be loose in the mirror since that black piece does somewhat support the bulb.
Here is a picture showing the added brightness. (picture is as good as I could get it considering it was pitch black)
Anyway, I also drive a BMW 530i on occasion and noticed that it has not one, but two amber LED "mood" lights mounted on the ceiling aiming downward to illuminate the center console area. Much like the LED mounted under our rear view mirror except these are much brighter. Since the light in the vette is next to not even noticeable I wanted to somehow make it a tad bit brighter since in my opinion it adds a neat effect. I found a way, takes 10 minutes tops, and costs nothing. NOTE: this mod only works on the earlier model C5's with the non electrochromatic mirrors (since these have a slightly re-designed LED mood light).
All you have to do is trim off the black outter piece that limits the amount of light that passes through. Your done!! Here are two pics of what you have to do to the mirror. Let me know if you have any questions.
Picture showing mirror with black outter piece still attached. Simply take a sharp blade and trim it off flush. I then added just a little glue to ensure the LED will not be loose in the mirror since that black piece does somewhat support the bulb.
Here is a picture showing the added brightness. (picture is as good as I could get it considering it was pitch black)
Last edited by JTS97Z28; 01-07-2006 at 09:54 PM.
01-07-2006, 10:51 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by DJN
Looks like you just f***ed up the mirror 
lol thats pretty much what I did. I wasnt to concerned as I figured if something did break I was planning on buying one of those newer Gentex mirrors that have LED maplights, auto dim, and dual line compass and temp. I am however pleased with how my hacking of the mirror went.
01-07-2006, 11:02 PM
#8
Team Owner
Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
lol thats pretty much what I did. I wasnt to concerned as I figured if something did break I was planning on buying one of those newer Gentex mirrors that have LED maplights, auto dim, and dual line compass and temp. I am however pleased with how my hacking of the mirror went.
