2nd Gen. Gauge Lens Replacement How To

Hello All,
The previous owner of my Tacoma decided it was a good idea to clean the gauge cluster lens with some sort of solvent, thus clouding up the plastic and scratching it to pieces. Luckily I found a replacement lens on Ebay for $20 and I thought I'd share the process. Images are numbered in order of steps.

1) Remove two screws from above the gauges.
2) Pull out kicker panel to expose lower bolt. Remove both lower bolts (10mm) socket.
3) (somewhat gently) work the lower panel off to the floor.
4) Work the upper panel off from around the gauges. Unplug dimmer switch when exposed.
5) Gently press down on the rear of the tabs holding the gauge lens to the cluster.
6) Gently press new gauge lens back into proper holes until the tabs (click) into place.
7) Replace panels in same order. Be sure press up and back on top of upper lip of the gauge panel so that the grooves align and seat well.

 

Posting this on my led swap thread so people can not ask how to take it apart lol
Good write up.

 

Those LEd swaps are cool. I may have to consider that in the future.

 

Great write up!

I was a dumbass today and managed to drop my airport parking stub down in front of the lens, where it promptly disappeared into the dash before I could grab it. Looked like I was going to have to pay the exorbitant maximum fee.
But... armed with my phone, the pics in this post, and a leatherman tool I was able to disassemble the dash enough to get the ticket back.

Thanks Runn0r! I owe you a beer, or several.

 

Thanks for the write up. I just bought a used Tacoma as well. The original owner did the same thing. Looks like he cleaned it with acid and a S.O.S pad. Was your lens an aftermarket or OEM that some one was getting rid of?

 

It was the OEM one. $20 on ebay. Check it out:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-06-07-08...fits=Model:Tacoma&hash=item2c6d3d5c79&vxp=mtr

 

Haha! I see ASS METER ;P on the last pic

 

great write up

 

Has anyone ever figured out what the part number is for the push-pins in picture #1 and 2 up there? I broke one of mine

 

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Nissan_Toyota_Push_Type_Retainer_11mm_Lgth_p/a16784.htm

For those of you interested I think this might be it... placing an order and will find out soon. Note, that this is for 2012+ probably only... I don't recall what type of fastener would be correct for the older screw-in type.

 

Also, since I'm bumping a 2 year old thread I'd might as well explain. I went through the same process on my 2013 because some idiot tried wiping dirt off with a highly abrasive cleaner and it etched the plastic. I ended up ordering the replacement glass from camelback toyota and broke one of the clips in the process.

For reference, the glass is this....
http://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/pa...L&subgroup=CLUSTER & SWITCHES&component=Glass

 

Those clips in my previous post fit great!

 

Subbed so I can reference later

 

Ive replaced mine twice now. The plastic scratches SO easy! I use compressed air first to clean then i saturate it with plexus cleaner and carefully wipe it clean

 

I accidentally got interior polish splatters on it and didn’t notice so it soaked over night. When I finally noticed it was already dry but seeped through the plastic leaving splatter stains that I cant get out. Cheap ass stuff.

 

Hey guys. Taking alive old
Post, have you ever try (or now if is possible) to replace bulb for light indicators as in older cars? .. I just found that my check engine light does not work in dash and thinking to take it apart to see if would be a blown bulb
Or something like that, thanks

 

Your cluster has led chips (bulbs). You can still replace them but it’s not as simple as pulling the old bulb out of the socket and replace with new.

 

dang, just what I though, Should be a led that need to be solder to the board I believe.

 

I would get ahold of this member, He seems to be the expert on this.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/socal-tacoma-led-cluster-swap.162197/