After replacing the blue LEDs in the Alpine stereo for GPMINI, I’ve finally succeeded in changing all the green LEDs too – compare the new and original:
This job was a nightmare, even with reasonably suitable tools at work, due to the tiny size of the “0603” LEDs:
The more I did, the harder it got – just trying to see which end was anode and cathode is almost impossible, and the LEDs are connected in pairs on the board so if one didn’t work, two would be off! In the last picture I’ve changed all of them (took about 1-1/2 hours) but two are off – I had to resolder both because I couldn’t tell which one was the problem 😦
Anyway, it’s done! And it does look much better than blue & green in GPMINI … I originally planned to modify the second Alpine too (that will soon go in GBMINI) but I don’t think I will now; it was simply too frustrating.
(if you’re thinking of doing something similar, I used Digikey p/n 160-1121-1-ND for the two larger LEDs, and 160-1180-1-ND for the many small ones)
M&I / GBMINI 
It looks great now that it is completely done. A lot of my projects end up being 10x as much work as I expected, but the satisfaction of the end product makes it worth it.
At least the board is well labeled for polarity.
Ian, your tenacity precedes you! Well done again . . . .nice job.
Very nice… looks great in the GP!
I just finished changing the lights to blue on the clock. I just have to find cheap blue LEDs to finish the rest of the dash. Any leads?
*Much* better! Looks like torture to do it, though. 🙂 Makes me glad I’m pretty happy with the stock head unit and that the Alpine will fit in fairly well in the Jeep.
Rich,
I have two blue LEDs that came out of the Alpine, if you want them 😉
Other than that you can get a get price ($0.15) in quantity!
Ian,
I see you have been watching “The Hunt for Red October” again, now changing all the lights inside the GP to red to save your Night Vision – good thinking. When will you be adding the IR heads-up display for driving at night without lights? Remember the Subaru Team on “Cannonball Run”? 🙂
Great work – I’ve done some surface mount work on ham radios and what a pain in the exhaust! Looks VERY nice on the dash.
results are well worth the trouble. great job Ian.
So how much for you to mod my 9857? Seriously.
Great work Ian! I love the results.
Looks perfect Ian! Like Randy K, I also would love to know how much for you to modify my Alpine 9857. Get back with me asap please. Thanks bro. Eric2575@msn.com
I’m sorry – it was such a pain to do, I wouldn’t want to do it again for any amount of money! And no, that doesn’t mean I’ll do it for free 😉