Ok.. what do you call the "heater face plate" for better words? Is that what it is called? If i call Toyota and say that will they know what I am saying.. Mine cracked up all to hell today and I need to replace it. Dash disassemble to get it in right? My light is also shorted or something behind it.. You hit a bump and the light goes off.. you hit another bump and it pops back on.. It's like playing hit the bump so you can see the heater!!!

 

If you call it Heater Bezel they should know what you mean.

 

Thanks Cebby.. Will be putting that call in soon and fixing the short problem. Also thinking about the blue light mod while i am back there.

 

Check Ebay. I've seen some on there. What Yota do you have?

 

Is this what you're talking about?

If it is, there's one on Ebay right now.

IIRC, on 84-88 models, once you pop the plate off you can access the bulb or you might need to remove a couple screws. So there's no need to tear the dash apart.

You can pop the plate off by pulling the ashtray and removing the metal bracket above it. Once this bracket is out of the way, you can reach up and pop the heater plate from the backside. Since yours is already ruined, this isn't necessary.

 

Mine is a tad different than that one. Mine doesn't have the square on the right. But pretty much the same thing. I have an 87 pickup and I am guessing that is for a 4Runner? I'm going to check around.. I'm a leaning towards either blue light as back light or red... Anyone ever done red before? Thanks for all the help you two.

 

I want to do red or amber for my backlighting. I have a cool stereo that has the option of green or amber. I've always liked red/amber since my buddy had a BMW with the red dash.

 

That square on the right is where the SR5 clock goes.
I'd be VERY suprised if your 87 doesn't have a blank for it.

Arnold - thanks for the tip on removing it!
I'll be able to get behind there now and put in the colored bulbs now.

I really like my red guage cluster. So much easier to see at night (no effects on your night vision )
Todd

 

Never thought about the red not effecting night vision... Lol always knew it but just thought it would look kewl.. My stereo is blue and red so either would go ok with it.. But future plans are to get a nice seat cover that is black and red and maybe paint the dash black.

 

is there a quick and easy way to take the heater plate off on the 94's as well?

 

Hey, I replaced my heater face plate last month with one I purchased from EBay. Very simple installation. I don't remember even taking off ANYTHING but the old plate.

And yes, that will fit your 87 unless you dont have a clock.

 

I don't have a clock

 

Even if you don't have a clock, there should be a dash insert (a knock-out) where the clock goes.
This allows the assembly plant to only put clocks into the ones that get it without having to make seperate parts for different trim levels.
I'll bet that plate will fit your truck even without the clock.
Todd

 

Todd E. is correct. The plate will pop right in. You just have to find a clock so you won't have an open hole in your dash.

 

EWAYota,

Just pull off the heater control knobs and get a small flat-bladed screw driver and pop it out. Be careful though. You can crack the faceplate if you're not careful.

Matt

 

i popped the faceplate off and took the light out. 2 questions, 1- does anyone know what size light bulb this is and 2), there was a blueish/green plastic cover on it, kinda like a lightbulb condom! what is that? just to make it a greenish blue color or was that a stock thing?

 

good deal, got my light fixed, first time thats worked since i've had it, makes one heck of a difference

 

Good job. As far as the light condom, that is a stock thing to make it look green.

Matt