I noticed tonight while i was out driving that the lights behind my heat/ac selector knobs are burnt out. i cant read what they say in the dark. I looked in my chilton guide and it says i need to take the whole dash off to change these out...i was wondering if this is true or not. Is there any way to take just that center section of the dash off.

Also two things im looking to do right away is, i want to get the white dials for my spedo. tack, and everything else, if any one has some, or knows where to get them id like to know, and if they are tricky to instal of not. the second things i want to do is put fog lights in, ive done the installation before, but i was wondering if there is a place in the firewall i could slip the wire through, or will i need to drill and put in a new grommit?

any advice on these questions?

 

if the 2nd gens are the same as the 3rds, replacing the bulb for your ac controls is pretty easy. But you do have to take the center section apart.

Maybe I'll let some 2nd gen guys help u as I might just be giving you hopeless information if theyr'e setup differently.

 

You should be able to pry the face of the heater controls off. Then there will be a clear plastic piece that cames out and behind there is the lamp. Shouldn't take anymore than 10 minutes start to finish.

 

Yea i was wondering if i could pry that piece off or not. I didnt want to do it and then not be able to get it back on. but if you say so...haha thanks.

 

easiest way to take it off is to pull out the cup holder, you'll have to pull it pretty hard to take it all the way out. after that you can slip your hand back behind the plastic thing. this is much easier and less likely to break it that way.

 

Thanks ill look in to that...also where did you get your indiglo dials?

 

I dunno if this helps, but here is the 3rd gen way:





white arrows point to the screws u need to take out to get the dash apart.

If this is different lemme know.

 

Its a little different...the design that is, but i think the premise will be the same idea...when i take it off i can snap a pic of where the screws are located and send it back to you if you would like...

 

i think its just barely different, but i really don't know. i haven't had to take my dash apart in such a long time. oh yeah i have the white gauges and you can get them off ebay. if you look around in the tech section on here there will be a write up on how to install them.

 

This is the best site ever...you have tech stuff that describes installs and what not...this is wonderful...thanks for the help guys...

 

If it's just the bulb behind your heater controls pull the clear piece of plastic out that's in the second pic and the bulb is right behind that.

Stolen from Corey's site:

When I first got my 4Runner the lights behind the heater controls did not work. I got all kinds of advice to as how to fix it including pulling off your glove box and going in from behind. I fell for that one. Then I learned through our 4Runner forum that all you have to do is pull off the heater knobs and take a tool, even a paper clip will work. You stick it in behind the black plastic panel that normally lights up and gently pull on the sides and it will pop off. Just be careful when you are doing this, or you could break the panel.

Once off, you will see a horizontal clear plastic piece. That is the reflector lens for the bulb. Pull it out and the bulb is behind it. The bulb will have a small green rubber on it. I guess light bulbs even have to practice safe light. Take the bulb to any good auto shop. Toyota is going to charge you double on this little bulb. Remember to put the green rubber back on. It probably casts a glow and without it, your lights may be to bright behind the panel I would guess. Just put everything back together again and you will have lights again.