Trim Removal. How to? [SOLVED]

So I've got this idea in my head to repaint all the gunmetal trim pieces to color match my exterior. But so far I've only figured out how to remove the trim around the air vents/headunit. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to remove the trim overlapping the climate controls, the trim around the gear shift, the trim on the steering wheel, and the trim around the door panel controls.

[SOLVED] Follow these links to skip to write up

Center Console and Steering Wheel

HVAC panel removal

Lower Console Switch Panel

Interior parts diagram

 

Pull..!!

 

This won't help with everything you're looking for, but it does walk you through removing the door trim and some of the dash trim.

 

The only one I haven't done yet is the gear shift area; I would love to know the most timely way to do it. Climate controls are easy, just take the head unit trim off, pull the radio and reach down into the cavity behind the controls. Push with even pressure towards yourself (from the engine to the bed, obviously) on the back of the controls and the entire assembly will pop off. Disconnect the wire plugs from the controls and then rotate the right side closer to you than the left. The left side of the assembly has an "L" shape to it, pinning it behind the plastic trim behind the steering wheel. The rotation flattens out that "L" and it should slide right out with a little tug on the mentioned steering wheel trim piece. THEN, the piece you actually want needs to be detached from the assembly. There are SUPER THIN tabs that need to be unclipped to take the face off. Admittedly, I didn't care about these and basically popped the ones I could get to without disassembling ALL of the control knobs, and split the rest (Not broken, but not factory molded anymore lol). The steering wheel is SUPER easy, but scared the crap out of me. I disconnected the negative side of the battery for like 45 minutes because I COULD NOT get over the fact that the airbag was about to explode in my face while holding a screwdriver... Anyway, the horn cover comes right off with some steady force, then there are 4 screws that release the trim pieces. Maybe one day I will post pictures of all this; I do not have any at the moment. My clear coat keeps drying a bit murky due to the 100+% humidity where I live, so I will be re-doing this all again soon. Hope this helped, no one had answers when I was starting my project.

 

Super helpful. A little confused by this L bracket you speak of for the climate control though. But you say there aren't any bolts holding the panel to the dash? I just reach behind and pop it out starting from the right side? And seriously the steering wheel is as easy as it just pops off!?

 

So I managed to get the climate control trim and door panel trim off. I used a trim tool a little bit on the gear shift trim but it wasn't budging. Must be something holding it down. Also couldn't get the steering wheel cover to come off. I pulled pretty hard but it never let go. Making me nervous. Anymore advice?

 

Dude, my bust. There are 2 T30 torx screws, one on either side under the poppable access panels (access panel on the right has the cruise control sticking through it). THEN, the horn cover comes off smooth as butter. Can't believe I forgot that, definitely sorry buddy.. Glad you got the climate control stuff off, that was the bigger PITA for me since you literally can't look at what you're doing.

 

I wish someone could input anything they know about the gear shift area, I don't even know where to start..

 

I have not done this yet, but I've seen on here that the console cover just pops off by pulling straight up. The guy said he had to be firm with it. I think there is 1 clip on each of the 4 corners that need to pop...

Good luck.... Anyone do this yet..?

 

I haven't done the gear shift area yet, but the procedure appears to be:

1. Remove the shift knob, claw in front and in back, rotate counter-clockwise. I imagine the TRD Pro knob directions have more info.
2. Pull up to unclip/remove the console upper panel sub-assembly.
3. Remove the rear console box assembly; two screws under the carpet.
4. Remove 2 or 3 screws (AT/MT) and the front console box assembly can then unclip.

This may give some visuals: http://www.partznet.com/auto-parts/...trim/3-5l-v6-gas-engine/body-cat/console-scat

 

Thanks for letting me know. I'm glad I wasn't too forceful with that cover now. Could've broke something and that would've been bad lol

Haven't done it yet but I'm working on it. I have the trim around the radio painted already. The door control trim and HVAC trim are being painted as we speak. Still have to get the steering wheel trim and gear shift trim off.

I'll check that out. Thanks!

 

So I looked at the visuals and it really looks like the gunmetal trim part should just pop out upwards right?

 

If it's like the other gunmetal trim bits around the instrument cluster and radio, that is probably screwed and clipped to the overall piece. i.e. you'd need to remove the upper console panel sub assembly to then get behind it and release the gunmetal portion.

Again, I've not yet dug into the center console portion so don't have direct experience yet.

 

I'm having trouble pinpointing which piece your referring to when you say upper console sub assembly.

 

This one: http://www.partznet.com/toyota/taco...-cat/console-scat/?part_name=upper-trim-panel

It'd be nice if Toyota used the same names in the FSM as they do on the parts fiche.

 

Are you sure you want to paint the interior of your brand new truck? Not judging etc... it just seems like something you might regret (or regert as the tattoo says lol)

 

OK yeah that's what I thought. There's no question the gunmetal trim is screwed to that base similar to the trim around the entune. Question is how does that sub assembly come out? Anyone done this?

 

Here is what I have done so far, It's the trim around the radio unit and guage cluster. I'm having them professionally painted so its not rattle canned. It's very clean looking and color matched to the exterior. I think it looks great so no I don't regret it at all. Besided I've owned the truck now for over a year. The "new" effect is wearing off and its time to change some things up

The HVAC trim and door control trim are being painted as we speak

 

Lookin' nice OP... Keep the pics coming...!!

 

That makes a big difference... I was assuming this was a rattle can job. I am sure the pro paint will hold up. good luck.