WTF is this?

It was behind the glove box and seemed to have no purpose at all, other than being a very small stash spot. Thanks

 

it is the glovebox actuator, it connects to the dash and the glovebox on the right hand side

 

damper for the glove box, attaches to the right side of it

 

This^^ its like a shock for your glove box

 

great pic!! So much fun to connect!

 

Actually.....it's a POS, falls off, never stays on.........pointless IMO. Toyota should have forgot this and added lighting behind the 4WD switch. Would have been time/money better spent.

 

I did, about a month ago. Just saying it would have been more logical for Toyota to have done that from the get.

 

that actuator is a over-engineered piece of shit.

 

EXACTLY!!!

 

It's like they said, a shock absorber for the glove box.

Mine wont snap back on to the dash. I just left it as is hooked on the side of the glove box. It's a truck not a Bentley, so I'm not expecting everything to be "dampened." I just open the glove box and hold on to it as it's opening.

 

The hole on the end of the skinny shaft goes on the glove box. The hole closest to your ring finger goes on the post on the dash itself. The top hole, next to the base of your wrist, is not used.

Doesnt do much, but it does keep the glove box from slamming down too hard.

 

Agree 100%. Total JUNK!!

 

Thanks everyone for the detailed explanation, nice to see the positive support. Yeah, it just kind of fell out when I opened the glove box all the way. I figured it was some kind of half-assed shock absorber thing after playing with it.
The list of better time/$$$ spent for this truck is rather long for the baby taco. I believe the options list was under 10 items. I could only think of the 4 I have: AT, XM radio, door sill logos, & daytime lights w/SRW. Bluetooth was available, but I don't care about talking on the phone in the car. I could have used PDL, PM, PW, A MUCH BETTER bench seat, & CC... No SR5 pkg. available. I live in Southern California for *$!*'s sake. Those are vital options to have here! Bitch bitch, moan moan... Still love my truck, though!

 

Agreed the actuator is over engineered and the connector on the dash is woefully under engineered. Pop the actuator off a couple times to change/clean the cabin filter and it'll never stay attached again.