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Changing color of climate control lights on 1st gen

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Dudemeister, Sep 23, 2011.

  1. Sep 23, 2011 at 9:27 AM
    #1
    Dudemeister

    Dudemeister [OP] New Member

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    I've searched all over this forum and can't find anyone who has done this. I want to get rid of the orange/amber color that is on the climate control dials and buttons. Lots of people have changed their gauge colors and posted how they did it, but I can't find anywhere where someone has talked about how to change the climate control lights. I plan to change my gauge colors but I want to make sure that I get these other buttons to match before I go to all the trouble.

    Below are some pictures of the climate control plate that I took off the dash from my 2002 SR5 DC 4x4. On the back are orange/amber tint sticker-things over each of the areas where the light shows through. Has anyone taken these off to allow just the white to show through (or another color)? I'm afraid to scrape it off without knowing how it will look afterwards.

    If you've done this then let me know how you did it and post 'after' pictures if you have them. Also, if this has been done and posted somewhere already then let me know. Thanks.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Sep 23, 2011 at 9:31 AM
    #2
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Welcome just go and buy the climate control cover off a 02 4Runner it's white. Scraping off the orange is a pain and if your not careful you can mess it up so just buy a 4Runner cover and be done. Then you can change the lights to whatever color you want. Link
     
  3. Sep 23, 2011 at 9:45 AM
    #3
    Dudemeister

    Dudemeister [OP] New Member

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    Great idea. This is my first Toyota so I have no idea about the similarities with the 4runners. I still may gamble and try to scrape off the orange and then if I screw it up I can opt for the 4runner part.
     
  4. Sep 23, 2011 at 9:47 AM
    #4
    AsianAnts

    AsianAnts just an AnT

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    nail polish remover might help with removing the amber?? iono.
     
  5. Sep 23, 2011 at 10:13 AM
    #5
    Alpha Q Up

    Alpha Q Up Well-Known Member

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    did you already do it? did it fit right in?
     
  6. Sep 23, 2011 at 9:16 PM
    #6
    Tommy Tacoma

    Tommy Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    I have done this, but my 2000 didn't have the orange film in back.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Sep 24, 2011 at 8:08 AM
    #7
    TIPICOTACO

    TIPICOTACO Well-Known Member

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    FYI, do NOT try nail polish remover, it removes everything including the white and some of the black on the back of the face-plate :mad:

    you'l have better luck just cafefully scraping away the rubbery coating and orange film with a small pocket knife or paperclip
     
  8. Sep 24, 2011 at 8:20 AM
    #8
    TIPICOTACO

    TIPICOTACO Well-Known Member

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    part # 55519 will not fit in my '01, it looks like a very different configuration

    EDIT: my bad, upon a second look #5551935330 should work fine
     
  9. Sep 24, 2011 at 8:24 AM
    #9
    oneBIGroom

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    Yea, dont try to scrape of the orange film, i used acetone and it didnt help so i just decided to try and scrap it off, but when i got done i held it up to the light and all you could see was scratches and crap. :mad: Made me mad and i had to paint the part over with black touch up paint, so now i cant see the panel at night. Never heard about the 4runner pannel, ill have to try it :D
     
  10. Sep 25, 2011 at 11:12 AM
    #10
    spidy3

    spidy3 Well-Known Member

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    I just took the 2 outside bulbs out so the only thing lit up is the blue/white/red for temp control. I like it better because it isnt so bright with everything lit up. I can take a pic if you want
     
  11. Oct 22, 2011 at 11:18 PM
    #11
    lonzorizo

    lonzorizo Well-Known Member

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  12. Oct 22, 2011 at 11:23 PM
    #12
    JLee

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    I haven't done it but I test fitted one from my girls friends Runner and it fits.
     
  13. Oct 26, 2011 at 6:37 PM
    #13
    AlphaEcho2k5

    AlphaEcho2k5 Well-Known Member

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  14. Oct 26, 2011 at 6:57 PM
    #14
    Alpha Q Up

    Alpha Q Up Well-Known Member

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    You purchased this item. I think it's off of a scion.
    872788C_ac30cb5b86249d66dc55442a33efff7e04424d81.jpg

    You should have purchased this one. Off of the 4runner
    874324_e422777a17b9304e119b3bea44fa6b344d4bd466.jpg

    They have the same part number. Did you call and order it or did you purchase it through the web?

    TIPICOTACO and Jlee are right. You should be more careful about what your doing.
     
  15. Oct 27, 2011 at 6:25 AM
    #15
    TIPICOTACO

    TIPICOTACO Well-Known Member

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    ^ yea buddy it's def my fault you believed something you read on the internet and ordered it blind...DUH!

    ^this.
     
  16. Oct 27, 2011 at 7:50 AM
    #16
    TIPICOTACO

    TIPICOTACO Well-Known Member

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    Go back and read carefully.

    Jlee posted the original info/link, I second guessed it, THEN did my own research to discover that he was correct (there are several items w/ the same PN, just gotta pick the right one)

    Sorry that it wasn't delivered on a silver platter for ya :rolleyes:
     
  17. Oct 27, 2011 at 7:56 AM
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    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    Yeah man that's why I took the part number off my post because there is way too many of the same part number. you need to order the face plate for a 2002 4Runner that is the one that fits don't go by part numbers go to the dealer and make them pull it up on the computer.

    I ensure you the one from the 2002 4Runner does fit I have test fitted it myself I just haven't got around to ordering one.
     
  18. Nov 2, 2011 at 5:44 PM
    #18
    TACOMABOSS

    TACOMABOSS Well-Known Member

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    wow STFU. your blaming other people for your mistake. even if they posted the wrong part number YOU should have used common sense and checked to make sure it was the right part BEFORE you bought it
     
  19. Nov 2, 2011 at 5:55 PM
    #19
    DSully72

    DSully72 2WD Problems

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    i gotta agree with bossman here if he told you jumping off a cliff would change the orange in the temp control faceplate white, you wouldn't have lasted very long =P. Dont get me wrong, i love the advice i get up here, but i ALWAYS double check before i spend money or make alterations on my truck.
     
  20. Nov 2, 2011 at 5:56 PM
    #20
    DSully72

    DSully72 2WD Problems

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    Alright, see ya, we dont need this sort of attitude up here anyhow. people up here are just trying to help. mistakes happen. and like he said, you should have checked before ordering the part. i work at a toyota dealership and the people at the parts counter will be more than happy to do what they can to ensure you ordered the right part.
     

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