cyclrder

I have to admit... that between the two-tone interior and the ambient lighting.. I almost stepped up and bought a 2011 GL550 ... luckily, common sense kicked in and I bought a 2008.

now my question and idea is....

1. does anyone here have the ambient ligihting and could you describe exactly where all of the points of illumination are? (I already know about the interior door handles <front and back?>, the trim piece over the glove box, and in the foot wells.... (exactly where are the lights in the footwells and are they different than the current lights that come up and down when you get in the car normally?

2. now here is the idea... the trim pieces are pretty much the same in the 2008 to current sans the led lights... why not just buy the new trip pieces and replace them... ?

3. I have installed illuminated doors sills into my E500.. pretty much a piece of cake.... these could be pretty easy too... but one would have to figure out which power wires to tap into.. (they are LED so the voltage load shouldn't be an issue) thoughts here would be appreciated..

4. do we have any MB parts people here who could come up with a list of what we might need??

jcbutta

unlike you, I couldnt help myself and purchased a 2011 model with 2-tone interior and ambient lighting. I will check to see exactly where all of the points of illumination are and report back to you.

dougpark714

Which two-tone combo did you get? How do you like it?

cyclrder

I was sooo close to ordering a steel grey 550 with the two tone tan/ black interior and off road package....(and ambient lighting)

congrats! on your new rig.. post pics

jcbutta

I got the black with tan (two tone). I was kind of hesitant at first because of the black carpet and headliner, but now I love it. I think it gives the interior a more upscale look.

dougpark714

Can you post some pictures?

It's great to hear from someone that actually has the black/tan two-tone interior. I am planning to order the same combo with diamond white exterior. It's the best of both worlds -- black carpet for stain protection and beige seats for cooler interior and contrast. Black headliner is a nice touch.

Ordering two-tone in other cars such as Porsche is an expensive option. $250 special order charge is a bargain. Plus, it's a good reason to add IR glass.

Some pictures I found on the web:

dbtk

Iam also interested in retrofittong the ambeint lighting. I only want to do the door units. Is it just a matter of replacing the "chrome" door strip units?

QuadBenz

dougpark714, would you mind posting pictures of the 2nd row head rests? They're HUGE.

cyclrder

OK guys.....

maybe someone should start a "two-tone interior thread" ...

but on this one... I'd really like to find out about ambient lighting in a new GL with the option.

1. what locations around the car has the led placements?
2. in the footwells.. are they separate lamps or are they utilizing existing ones?
3 are they on all the time or just when the lights are on?
4. how are they adjusted for brightness?

thanks... just trying to stay focused.

jcbutta

sorry for the delay in posting. here is some info.

1. door handles (end to end under silver insert), footwells, cupholders, center armrest (inside) and dash (in between the lower dash and wood inserts)

2. not sure

3. they turn on when the automatic headlights turn on

4. from the steering wheel controls via command center

dougpark714

cyclrder, any progress on your upgrade? Are you doing the ambient lighting or the enhanced interior lighting? MBUSA shows them as two separate items that comes with the Leather Package. Not sure what the difference is.

I removed the leather option from my order so I am also interested.

cyclrder

I talked with one of the parts guys at the Greenwich Ct MB dealer....
he even talked with MBUSA.. they say you can't obtain the parts to retrofit..

the next step would be to have a VIN of a leather equipped car and see if they come up on the parts system... anyone willing to share me your leather equipped VIN so that I could check? PM me directly.

my hope is fading....

dougpark714

MB must have the parts in case they need to be replaced.

cyclrder

for sure... but a parts guy needs the VIN of a so equipped car to look up the parts...

dougpark714

I found a 2011 GL450 on the web from a dealer with leather:

Vin: 4JGBF7BE6BA643664

dougpark714

Wonder if the wiring harness is already in the key places in which case the retrofit will be easy. Otherwise, much more involved.

hubert

I know it's an old thread but was this retrofit ever done?

ksdprasad

me interested on this retro fit.

shrimp

Hiya, I've done something different and documented it in my blog (http://glmodder.wordpress.com/)

It's not as subtle as the ambient lighting in the newer models, but I was actually surprised how it wasn't too distracting/shiny etc...

http://glmodder.wordpress.com/2012/1...l-tron-lights/

Let me know what you think

Happy Modding
SP

Mikchek

checked it out...I like what you did brother...