tacoma0096

I have a 1996 Tacoma SR5 v6 4x4. 290,000 mi. Great truck for me. Original owner.
I need to remove my instrument panel (Dash). The panel is loose and ready to be removed see photo # 1.


Except for the anchor points under the dash.
See photo # 2.



What’s the secret here…. More muscle??
Thanks for any input..........
Roy..

rworegon

Looks like the black part needs to go straight up so the leg pops out of the gray bucket. Are there ears on the bucket holding the black leg in place? Have you encountered this fastener anywhere else under there?

Hopefully, someone will chime in with the real trick if there is one.

Donster

Wow.. looks like quite a project. I haven't had to remove the dash yet. Did you say you dropped something into the defrost duct and you neet to remove it? I have accessed the evaporator area from under the dash but did not have to remove it. It must have been on the drivers side that you dropped the object. As far as those "clip" looking things are concerned, I would take that picture to the dealer and ask them WT(F) that thing is on the end and maybe they will tell you to break it off and and they will sell you a new one. NAPA also has a pretty good selection of clips and weird looking thing like that.

tacoma0096

Thanks rworegon;52015131..... I just figured out how to get it out.
actually couple hours ago.... Stand by..

tacoma0096

It is a much bigger project than I was looking for. But I had to fix it..

tacoma0096

Well I figured out what I had to do.
After you have removed all bolts and screws the dash is held in position at the windshield area with 5 push-in type pins..
See picture # 3.


I started at the steering wheel holding a grip at the instrument cluster position. One short hard jerk and it popped out.
Picture # 4
Is with the dash out and shows where 2 of the 5 keepers are located..


Picture # 5 with out dash..


Photo # 6:
Shows the 5 locking pins. The 5th pin can’t be seen in the picture..


I found the culprits:
In the center consol the air directional fins were broken several years ago…
Picture # 7:


I believe it was the mystical fin breakers were responsible, because none of my grandchildren mentioned anything about it. Everything worked so I forgot about it…

Now years latter…I’m in there working on my AC evaporator and I hear a low noise in an area I should hear no noise.
# 8 I get the evaporator out.

# 9 Out and Cleaned

I will be replacing (A) Expansion Valve and (B) Pressure Switch..

While working under the dash I jarred those broken parts causing them to fall in the duct works causing the control failure.. everything working great now…
All Iz gots ta do now is put it all back together without coming up with any extra nuts screws and bolts…. Or worse…… missing some..

You-all wish me luck…

rworegon

Nice write up. Good luck on the re-assembly.