vmax84

Finally, and with much grief and cussin', got the right side dash off the truck to install the altimeter thingy. But it doesn't seem like I've got the right unit for this truck. The unit seems to wide for the depression in the dash.

1989 4Runner.

I thought the dashes from 84-89 were all the same. What gives?

Thanks.

vmax84

vmax84

Does anybody have a closeup pic of how close the seal is between the altimeter thing and the dash? Thanks.

vmax84

vmax84

Also, where do I get the power to run the altimeter thing? Just pull it off anything I can find?

vmax84

Adam F

You probably got one from a 4x4 tercel. Where did you get it?

2ToyGuy

I don't know about the altimeter fit, but for power, I would use the radio power circuit. The on/off power, not the keep-alive, unless you want the alt on all the time. Once agin, i don't know anything about the altimeter, but it may require a keep-alive too. If so, then use the radio's also. Most of that kind of low power stuff can be run off the radio's power circuit. Or you can run a new circuit from one of the unused fuses in the inside fuse box. Just take it out, put a wire on the downstream side of the fuse and run it to your altimeter. Most of the fuses in the inside box are energised only when the key is "on" or "acc".
Use the wiring diagrams in the FSM for your power. Make sure the fuse you install for a seperate circuit is rated at 30% higher than the normal max draw of the altimeter.

Glenn

All the 84-89 4Runner dashes should be the same.

If you don't have a clock in the dash, you could run the power from the clock plug, which is right behind the knockout on the dash where the clock would go.

2ToyGuy

True, he could run it off the clock power whether the clock is there or not, as long as he feels comfortable cutting and splicing or soldering wires.

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

The altitmeter lights up as well w/ the dash lights, so don't forget power for that to the appropriate circuit. 84-89 dashes are all the same IIRC...so you must not be doing something right...there is a big brass bracket that bolts to the dash in like 2-3 places that the altimeter bolts to. Mine sits flush when all is bolted up. My dash is all apart and was done several weeks ago, so this is all fresh on my mind. The power for the altimeter comes off a plug-in that goes to the light for the AC console.

vmax84

No, it's a genuine 4Runner altimeter thing.

vmax84

vmax84

Yes sir, cutting and splicing and soldering is no problem!! We can do that!!

vmax84

vmax84

My altimeter does not sit flush. It is one from another 4Runner since I've compared pictures of other 4Runners and this one is the same.

There are 4 bolts with threads on them that stick out from the bottom of the altimeter component. I drilled out the dash so the bolts would go thru the dash and then the 4 bolts with threads on them each get a nut to cinch it down onto the dash. But I still have a small gap between the unit and the dash.......almost like I'm missing a spacer or something.

vmax84

Glenn

Is this an altimeter for measuring altitude?

Or is this an inclinomoter for measuring tilt?

Bagger

I just hooked up mine a couple of weeks ago. It should look similar to this -


You don't have to wire anything just for the inclinometer (which measures the degree of incline you're on) or the altimeter (which measures your altitude in feet) to work. The only thing that needs power is the backlight if you're going to want the gauges to light up.

The late 80's model inclinometers are shaped to mold into the dash, like so -


There is a very small gap between the dash and base of the inclinometer, it's not a perfect seal. I took some strips of sticky felt and went around the bottom edge of the inclinometer. It fills the gap and will hopefully keep most dust from getting into the unit from underneath.

vmax84

It is actually both........it looks just like the one in the pics. I just don't know what to call it, so I call it "altimeter thing".

vmax84

2ToyGuy

That thingie is COOL! I have never seen that before. may I ask where you guys got them? I'd like to get one for my 4Runner!

toy4x4runner

Sounds like you have a replacement dash piece - possibly from a 2WD? Those are the only ones I've seen with smaller indents like you describe. My '86 cluster fit perfectly in my '89 after making holes in the dash top for the bracket. All the bolt holes were already in the '89 dash braces.

2Toy - they were an SR5 option in 1985-87 4Runners

Flamedx4

Looks like all the fine points have been hit.
*Wiring only for the backlighting.
*All 4wd dashes have the mount holes if you can find them from underneath.
*All 4wd dashes have the plug for the light too if you can find it.
*All 4wd dashes will accept the clinometer from all years 84-89 4runners. (NOTE: 84-89 4wd pickup and 4Runner dashes are NOT all alike, the style changed a little, but the clinometer 'indent' area did not change.)
*Those clinometers came in ALL SR5 Runners thru 89.

They sell on ebay occasionally, and there is a guy in the Yotatech classifieds that sells them from Japan all the time. Bummer is that the altitude is in meters, and after the novelty wears off you will like the altimeter and ignore the silly clinometer. (I have had one for 20 years now, first in the 85 Runner and now in the 90 Xtracab.)

fnrunner

Not to be a dik, but not ALL SR5's came with them.
Mine's an 89 4R & it didn't.

I second ebay, seen 'em go for upwards of $100 though!! Just gotta keep your eyes open.....

Flamedx4

No offense, I've been wrong before and there's an even chance (or better) I'll be wrong at least once more...
Interesting. My dad was a Toyota dealership general manager in those days and we were both longtime 4wheelers and Yota fans, and the SR5 package came with the clinometer. Always that I was aware of. Until the body style changed, then the SR5 package got fewer standard items and there were more option packages. Perhaps in those last days of the original body they optioned it differently.

93ToyKid

Yeah, we have an 89 SR5, without an altimeter. Either it was just an option on the SR5s, or I got JIPPED!!