Anyone know how to remove the A-pillar trim on a 1986 (84-88 should be same) Toyota Truck (SR5)? I'm guessing it just clips on. If so, approx where are the clips located to apply pressure. It's 36 year old plastic and don't want to crack it. I am chasing down a small leak. Thanks.

 

I broke mine into 20 pieces.
I have a new set ready to go in so I looked at the back for you.
There are 3 clips, the top two pull straight out and the lower one lifts out.

 

Thanks. So gently pry up on the top two clips then lift the trim panel upwards to release the bottom clip? I'm hesitant to try as all the plastic is old and brittle. I removed my dash panel when installing new AC/Vet control assembly and one of the two center vents fell out the back. It hit the concrete and shattered into 20 pieces as well. Luckily, I had an extra complete set I bought to replace the broken right vent.

I appreciate the reply. It helps a lot.

 

I see the top clip is just below the top curved section. That will be easy to locate. Could you do me a favor and measure down to the middle clip and measure from the middle clip to the bottom clip. I appreciate it. Thanks

 

This video from a YT member, at 1:10, shows how to remove the A-pillar trim:

 

In the video where he is pulling off the A-pillar trim: , what is that tool he has? It looks like it would (might?) work better then a putty knife/flat head screw driver that I always resort to.

-jim

 

Thanks all for the videos. Now I know how the driver side upper end by the curve is partial crack from having a new windshield "professionally installed.

 

Worst-case, if A-pillar trim breaks, replace with hand-stitched one that belongs on a Lexus.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...l#post52457943

 

I had the top tab break on mine. I put a nutsert into the slot where the tab would go, then drilled a hole through the trim and used a black screw with a flat washer to secure it. Easier to take on and off now, and fits tighter than before.

 

Good idea. Removing it will be my last attempt to find the leak source. Looks like drips down from the A-pillar area. Cowl removal is my 1st look to see if there are holes in the sheet metal up in that area. These spots are from a light rain. A heavy rain will cause a pooling of water in the center of the foot well. The green coating is a powdered spray that turns blue when water contacts it. It's expensive, but helped me narrow down the leaks locations. It wipes off with a damp clothe.

 

Is the rubber plug in place where the antenna cord passes thru the hole in the right kick panel? Without that plug a surprising amount of water will follow down the cord and into the vehicle.
The windshield is another possibility if the glass company didn’t use enough urethane sealant.

I don’t know how many times a customer would bring a vehicle in with a leak, and no matter how much we drenched it we could see a thing. Then the next light rain it was full again. So not an easy thing to find.

 

Yes the antenna plug looks to be in place. I am going to check the windshield seal when I remove the cowl. You can see from looking over the dash the bottom seam of sealant on the inside. It looks tight and continuous. Still could be leaking in from the bottom. 1st leak ever in 36 years. Almost as bad a chasing down an electrical issue....for me. Slow process. Even used a quality boroscope to check up under the dash for any signs of a leak/rust/staining. Nothing looked questionable.

 

Last thought. If equipped with ac it might be worth pulling the evap drain hose completely out and making sure it isn’t clogged or kinked. Saw that a lot. That Would soak the right side floor.

 

Thanks. Has AC and have been running it with no leaks. Have pulled the carpet back and fully sprayed the dye on areas were water could run down or drip. Only a small leak with light rain and pooling with heavy rain. Leaky windshield joint or a hidden rust hole. Truck is rust free on the cab, so far. I will find it eventually.

 

Our windshield guy would start looking for leaks by pouring a little water into the cowl beside the wiper.
If the water does not pour out onto the ground he knew the drain was plugged and running into the cab.

Good luck

 

Thanks. I think the issue is under the cowl. I'll try that.

 

with the location of your drips, windshield leak at the upper corner is more likely. it flows into the a-pillar, then comes out the trim attachment onto the backside of the trim, runs down to the end of the trim, then drips down the side of the dash (onto the ecu for my '87 4runner).

 

Thanks. That was my original thought and why I needed to know how to remove the trim without destroying it .

I need to pull the cowl to do any cleaning and lube the wiper mechanism. So good time to do it. Would check for leaks at the time. The ECU is not in the path on my truck, nor any surfaces on the right kick panel steel structure. I unbolted it and moved it out the way so I could fully spray that area. The light rain did not show any blue color change. I need a heavy rain to confirm.

It's like it drops from between the dash right end and the side interior body, just below the A-pillar. It does not run down the structure there as that was sprayed and no blue traces. Just a straight drop it seems. I have now shoved a paper towel in that crevice sprayed to see if it turns Blue next rain.

I am going to blue tape the whole length of the exterior top window chrome trim seam so the next rain will not enter at the top and see if there is a leak.

It's an adventure.

 

While inspecting everywhere for the source of the leak, I saw the door exterior weather stripping was deteriorated, cracked, and even had a chunk missing. That chunk was on the front sloped window frame. Plus they would leave black marks if you touched them. So, ordered a set of Toyota OEM weather strips for both doors. They weren't cheap at $190 with tax and shipping, but didn't want to chance the fit with aftermarket ones. Original ones lasted 36 years.

The install was easy. I saw the one piece weather stripping is routed between the door hinges and the door stop/ stay open bar. Thought I'd have to remove the door card to get that out of the way. Luckily. There is a pin on the frame end that could be tapped up and removed. It has a very small cylindrical crimp retainer. Once off the old weather strip was easy to remove. Removed the foam, but all the push in securing pins stayed in the door holes. Getting them out would snap the top, so the ends are now on the inside at the bottom of the door. No biggie.

The new weather strip fit perfect and all push-in fittings lined up to the door holes. The widow frame uses a inner and outer channel to secure the foam strip. It easily slips under the channel with slight downward and inward pressure for a tight fit.

Re-evaluating the location of my drip i see it is directly beneath the lower front corner of the door. I am thinking that missing foam section allow the rain to slide down the weather strip, behind the door card, and then drop onto the floorboard. Might explains why no other vertical surf
ace was wet, not event the area directly above. also notice the door card at that corner shows sign of having water damage-slight cardboard warpage.

I hope the leak is fix that easy. I'll find out when it rains tomorrow. If not I have ordered a compete set of windshield chrome trim clips in case I have to remove the trim to inspect and fix. Toyota couldn't have made the clips any more complex if they hired a BMW engineer to design them. Only $20 for a set of 34 total pieces. Good to have on hand.

The saga continues. Come on rain!