Gear indicator the factory should have done

[Pat Conlon]

Yea, maybe Randy can work his magic on sourcing a prewired transmission switch.

The key is the transmission switch...and getting away from those wonky magnets or reed switches on the shift lever shaft.

Cheers and thanks again!

[ZOA NOM]

Yea, maybe Randy can work his magic on sourcing a prewired transmission switch.

The key is the transmission switch...and getting away from those wonky magnets or reed switches on the shift lever shaft.

Cheers and thanks again!

Exactly, it's a two - minute mod until you get to the cluster. LOL

I really like that it's an added feature that you don't even know is there until you use it. If I can manage to make a mold to use for forming the lexan, I can just crank out a bunch that Randy can just toss in the package with the switch and cable. Source your own LED's, cat 5 connectors and viola!

[Pat Conlon]

Any concerns with heat build up on the LED's with the shrink wrap on them?

[ZOA NOM]

Any concerns with heat build up on the LED's with the shrink wrap on them?

Not so far, will monitor... the shrink wrap pieces were kept short enough that they will simply wrap the body of the LED if they warm up, leaving the tip open.

[timleslie1957]

Really great approach to this!  I am not going to venture there, as I am still wiring up my gear indicator to tell me what gear I am in ... LOL (New to FJs AND 5 speeds!)  I just need one light to come on when I hit 5th gear and illuminate reading somewhere on the cluster in size 20 font "THERE IS NO 6TH GEAR, ASS WIPE!"  With this approach, this just might be MY next mod!  I will only steal a fraction of your mod idea!   (all in good fun!)

[ZOA NOM]

Quick update on this mod after my early morning commute... It is absolutely perfect. Using a green LED for 5th gear works very well. Additionally, I didn't realize how nice it is to see the gears drop as you downshift for a stop. I'm no longer bouncing my foot on the shifter as I roll to a stop at a light, or stop sign. I will continue to refine the setup, and provide updates.

[racerrad8]

Yea, maybe Randy can work his magic on sourcing a prewired transmission switch.

The key is the transmission switch...and getting away from those wonky magnets or reed switches on the shift lever shaft.

I have had that for a long time. The gear indicator wiring harness is what Rick used for this mod.

Digital Gear Indicator, Engine Sender

Randy - RPM

[Pat Conlon]

Outstanding!    Do you have the female for that plug? We can make up our harness to the gauge cluster.

[ZOA NOM]

Outstanding!    Do you have the female for that plug? We can make up our harness to the gauge cluster.

I have both connectors, Pat. It's a pretty standard automotive connector. It came on the other half of the set with the readout attached. I cut it off and used it. Expensive route to take. I think the best would be to source only the switch itself without the cable, and solder a self-made cable to it with your own connector for the end that goes to the cluster. The most fragile part of the whole thing is the tiny LED leads. I used a cat-5 connector that made it simple to crimp over those leads. There may be another, more robust way to achieve this. I'm researching options. If we can source the part circled, the rest is pretty simple. What would be really slick is to fabricate a rigid piece with LED's pre-mounted that can be spot-glued in place to the back of the tach with a pre-made pigtail that can be fed out the back of the cluster. From there, you can either modify your own trans switch or buy the RPM one.

[timleslie1957]

Quick update on this mod after my early morning commute... It is absolutely perfect. Using a green LED for 5th gear works very well. Additionally, I didn't realize how nice it is to see the gears drop as you downshift for a stop. I'm no longer bouncing my foot on the shifter as I roll to a stop at a light, or stop sign. I will continue to refine the setup, and provide updates.

I for one will be watching with anticipation.  For now, I am installing the oh so clumsy magnet varietal until your fine engineering can offer the refined product! Bravo on a great idea and development!  Thank you (as I bounce my foot about).

[timleslie1957]

Outstanding!    Do you have the female for that plug? We can make up our harness to the gauge cluster.

I have both connectors, Pat. It's a pretty standard automotive connector. It came on the other half of the set with the readout attached. I cut it off and used it. Expensive route to take. I think the best would be to source only the switch itself without the cable, and solder a self-made cable to it with your own connector for the end that goes to the cluster. The most fragile part of the whole thing is the tiny LED leads. I used a cat-5 connector that made it simple to crimp over those leads. There may be another, more robust way to achieve this. I'm researching options. If we can source the part circled, the rest is pretty simple. What would be really slick is to fabricate a rigid piece with LED's pre-mounted that can be spot-glued in place to the back of the tach with a pre-made pigtail that can be fed out the back of the cluster. From there, you can either modify your own trans switch or buy the RPM one.

This may be silly to ask, but I am a newb to FJs as of this past summer ... the trans switch, is that the neutral plug from RPM that you have tapped wires into?

[timleslie1957]

Never mind ... I see the parts now.  Please forgive my post ... I did not read thoroughly through the illustrations.  This is such a darned cool mod!

[ZOA NOM]

Update:

So I went to Tap Plastics and bought some of these acrylic cubes and drilled holes in them



This allowed for the LEDs to be easily replaced, and made the slight angle on the edge of the gauge a non issue. the LEDs now point directly at the back of the numerals.




DO NOT USE THIS GLUE!!!



It damaged the black background of the gauge. The light shows through these defects.




I really like the simplicity of the cubes, and the fact that they leave plenty of clear space for the backlight. I would recommend some other type of adhesive, however. I'm not sure what to recommend. Maybe others have ideas about an adhesive that will not dissolve into the backside paint.

[FJmonkey]

Try a transfer tape like this https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Adhesive-Transfer-Tape-9485PC/?N=5002385+3293241558&rt=rud

That plastic glue is basically solvent welding (good for nearly any simple plastic fix), so the solvent affected the paint and or the plastic under it.

[ZOA NOM]

Try a transfer tape like this https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Adhesive-Transfer-Tape-9485PC/?N=5002385+3293241558&rt=rud

That plastic glue is basically solvent welding (good for nearly any simple plastic fix), so the solvent affected the paint and or the plastic under it.

That should do the trick! Thanks Monkey!