So how did you attach your altimeter/inclinometer to the dash? I got one from Japan and my 3rd gen dash doesn't have holes for the 2 studs to go into. I am not putting any holes in my dash!

 

Rome-

The only way to attach those things without making some sort of screwey bracket is to drill the holes. The 1st gen dashes come pre-drilled (through the metal underside) so all you have to do is poke holes in the upper vinyl. 2nd gens (and your truck) didn't have that since the Inclinometer was never an option in the US.

Since Drew has a 1st gen, and a factory 1st gen inclinomter, his dash was already set up for it.

 

I'm sure 3m makes some sort of adhesive tape like thing that would work...but the wires would just be chillin out in the open

 

Thanks for the advice. That said I am not going to put holes in my dash! I will find another way... somehow...

 

Foam tape works great.

 

I installed one on my 2nd gen 4 runner. because the housing was tilted for a right drive, I mounted mine just to the left of center over the cluster. Yes, I did have to drill holes,and you also have to trim away a section of the vinyl to allow the studs enough room to get through.





my dash is crap, so I didn't have too much worry bout messing it up. but I'll know for when I put in a new dash

 

I think theres a misunderstanding here. I have a second gen pickup. It's an 87, and they only made clinometers between i think 86 and 88 then its even rarer for the 3rd gens.

And it was an option in the US only in SR5 pickups and 4runners but it was addon (or a luxury) you had to op for. Wasn't standard at all. Mine came off a US 4runner and theres a guy in town who has a black mint 4runner with one as well.

Also It's 3 pieces, the vinyl cover, the inclinometer itself then a metal bracket that fits onto the dash through factory predrilled holes. You just drill the foam out and pop the bracket studs through and get 4 nuts and your done. Theres even a factory hole for the wiring tho you won't find a plug hiding below the dash so you have to hardwire it into the electrical. I used the wiring to the heater control light as that is grounded to the Rheostat (the dimmer knob) so that way you can easily tie it into the dash lights.

The hardest part is getting the dash pad off since that right vent can be a pain to get out. Theres two studs and one bolt that hold the dash pad inplace and a series of screws along the underside in the front.

hope that helps. Also, you would want to drill the dash, not "tape" it. Any kind of adhesive be worse than dealing with small holes if you ever wanted to remove it (dont know why you would want to remove it).

 

First gen 4runners is what i meant, since 84-88 trucks aren't even 2nd gens (toyota built trucks in 1966 lol)

Rome knew what I meant.

 

Well thanks for clarifying =) and your right about the trucks but for formalities sake its rare we find discussions on toyota pickups older than 1980 (ie the trekkers n stuff) hehe we could real technical and categorize 84 and 85 pickups since they boast the newer body style with the older straight axle fronts =p

anyway, 86-88/89 the clinometer in my rig will fit the dash, no gaurantees on 84-85 since their dashes are different and I can't say whether or not theres holes already in the dash. My brothers 85's dash pad is more square than my 87

 

Actualy dash interchange is 84-86, and 87-88 (89 for the 4runner)

All the dashes have the holes drilled in the metal underside, for ever year from 84-88 (89 4runner)

 

Yes I did. When we speak of gens, we are talking about Toyota Hilux 4WD trucks and Hilux 4WD Surfs not the 2WD variety.

 

hey changing the bulds sounds like a great idea. i might put the LEDs i there. but before i change the bulds or buy some, what type of bulds are used for the climate cluster and inside the dash. i need this for a 1st gen 4runner. i might do blue since my stereolights up blue, my amplifier does too, and my truck and rim loop are blue too lol thanks before hand and sorry for taking over your topic

 

To the original poster, how exactly did you get to there the lights are replaced? I am having trouble finding info on that, and have a few going out.

Thank you,

Alex

 

Didn't quite get what you said? How do you get the bulbs to replace them or how do you get into the case to get to the bulbs?

The answer both, schucks/autozone has the bulbs and theres two screws on each side of clinometer to pull off case. Then the bulbs are right there.

 

and if your talking about the climate control bulb.. the knobs pull straight off and the plastic bezel pops out, one bulb in there. The instrument cluster you have to take the dash apart a bit to pull it out to get to the bulbs in it. But overall none of this is hard. The hardest part is getting the speedo cable out of the back of the instrument cluster. Just push it through the firewall from the engine compartment. Easy Peasy

 

that looks really good. Nice job on the install

 

Hey Drew, need your help, I´ve just sord your dash pics at night ( looks great by the way...)
...and noticed that your air conditioned controls
are "iluminated"..mines are not...is it to hard 2 get throw it and fix the light bulbs or something?...I´d just took the safety pad off and fix it but never tought the air condition lights actually works...
...thanx in advance...
...here´s a pic...
NOTE: You can see the factory holes right in the metal body of the safety pad...

 

yea theres one bulb in there. Damn I forget which side (left or right) has the two plastic clips. But if you pry on one end or the other, that whole plastic piece just pops out. First take off the knobs (they just pop straight off).

Play with it with a flathead screwdriver, one side then the other, it should come off really easy.

the bulbs you can get at parts store

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

 

you need a dash clock!!! ha ha i just got a inclinometer that matches my interior as well (saddle) but mine is just two wires can anyone tell me where i can find the connector to plug it into my wire harness????? i dont really want to hard wire...