spudrunner

Hello all, what's the best way to remove the glass off the gauge cluster? I tried depressing the tabs one at a time but it seems like you'd need 4 people all pushing the tabs down at once and then pushing the glass off if that makes any sense. Sure would appreciate any advice. Also does anyone know of a good scratch remover for the plexiglass? Thanks.

Elvota

Just be real careful with the tabs... you are on the right track. I had to get to a tach needle that was off one time. Just be patient and flew each released tab as far as it will go before moving on to the next one.

The good news is it pops back on really easy.

SwampThing

Angle grinder that bast*** outta there, then shape a new piece of lexan with the afformentioned angle grinder (serrated diamond blade works great), and epoxy the new one in there. Done that with nearly every piece of glass and plexi in all my vehicles, save for the windshield (and believe me, I would If I knew how!). 1/2" lexan = damn near bulletproof.

Tool Pants

There are 2 metal brackets at the top of the instrument cluster that need to be removed first, if you have not already done so.

spudrunner

Duh, yes it was the brackets. I bought an sr5 cluster and I wanted to take it apart and clean it up. The face plastic was pretty scratched up a lot of fine scratches and hazing, pretty nasty. I bought some Meguiars Plastx and I couldn't believe the results. Almost looks like the plexiglass isn't even there!

Tool Pants

The only reason I know is because I did the SR5 cluster swap last week.

With my my 4 hands I kept on pressing on the 4 top and 4 bottom tabs at the same time so I could remove the plastic cover to clean it.

Bottom 4 would release, but not the top 4 as something was holding it in place. It was the 2 metal brackets on the top of the cluster.

91_4x4runner

Looks like you got a free 1/4 tank of gas with that cluster!

Tool Pants

Funny.

Actually, I should have put in the SR5 cluster sooner when it still showed a full tank.



But then I would have had a dead battery.

gwhayduke

You need to start with a tab nearest to a corner, push the plastic back a bit so the tab can't snap into place, then move across. That's how I did mine last week and it came off easily.

dcg9381

Use plastic polish on the plexiglass..

hannamet

On my 93 pickup, does anyone know if the gauge cover plastic is replaceable? In this same vein, does anyone have a good site for Toyota OEM parts where they show the parts fische, like for motorcycles? Thanks, Brad

gwhayduke

The only reason to replace it is if it's cracked, in which case I'd call the dealer or shop Ebay. If it's scratched, just use some polishing compound (NOT rubbing compound). I used a clear-coat polishing wax on mine and most of the scratches came out.