Who has done aftermarket dash and cluster lights?

I just looked at FSM, and it says all A/T and SR5 models have "Electrical type" dimmer (3 wires). The difference is that 3-wire dimmer requires +12V on additional wire. This could be simple very mod if you have M/T not SR5 truck. I should have done that if I was not that cheap to spend few bucks on dimmer.

 

M/T or A/T? What is that? Also FSM? I'll probably feel dumb after you tell me but it's not ringing a bell haha

 

A/T - Automatic transmission
M/T - Manual transmission
FSM - Factory service manual

Sorry for confusion

 

Ah ok. As expected feel dumb for not realizing that haha. You think it could be as simple as changing out the dimmers?

 

It seems to look like that. Base on the electrical diagram and dimmer testing procedure it should be easy swap as long as you can provide 12V from illumination (GRN/RED wire from any switch with back light). Look at images attached electrical diagram for panel illumination circuit for early 1st gen Tacoma showing connection for both 2-wire and 3-wire dimmer control.


The inspection procedure shows how both dimmers supposed to work


For my use I simplified the diagram to show exactly my truck by removing wires, connections and accessories I don't have (yes, my truck is very simple)


To swap dimmer you would need to provide the third wire connected as here (in red)



All "cheap" LED bulbs (the one you have to flip around if it doesn't work) are dimmable. Inside the case they have diode, resistor and LED chips. If they don't have constant current driver (buck type driver) the brightness of LED light will depend on voltage like in incandescent bulb. More sophisticated bulbs with current driver will not be dimmable. When the voltage is lowered they will start flicker instead of dim.

 

Ah ok. Well I'll take a look and see if by some chance I have the three wire dimmer. I was looking to do this if it was as simple as a bulb swap as it's not really a necessary swap. Might just give the 30lm 220 degree bulbs a shot and see how they look. I remember seeing one user that had them and said they had a couple hot spots but weren't horrible. If I change my mind I will definitely be using your diagram as reference as it seems very useful.

 

I have 90lm white bulbs in instrument cluster and without the dimmer it would be insane to drive at night.



There is no indication light on instrument panel to show that lights are turned on (on other cars there is a green light showing that). So at daytime my bright dash lights are doing just that - they are very visible during daytime (that is over 350 lm behind the needles).

 

Yeah I see what you're saying that would be insanely bright. That's why I wish I could find a bulb with 360 degree light beam but it was also lower lumens.

 

long shot but do you still have the climate plate?

 

Forgot to post this here.

 

Isn't it to early for Christmas? Seriously, interesting idea

 

Nope sold a long time ago lol

 

For the rpm gauge did you put in a separate orange and red for the red line region? I have the same JVC radio looks good in white matching the rest.

 

Can the clock color be changed on our first gens? I want to change mine from amber to white. I have seen that some 96-00 years have green clocks or white.

 

no, they are colored that way already. red shows red even when lit orange due to the color spectrum.

it is maybe possible but the housing lens is colored orange so you would have to source a new piece of plexi to cover it. I remember someone doing maybe blue but was a pain.

 

Thanks for your response I appreciate it.

 

if you need any other help most here love to customize, it's our fashion haha

 

Sub

 

Does anyone know the correct part # for the 4runner climate control face plate that is all white. I thought I read in this thread that if the part # ended in 50 or 60 then it was the right one. I looked through this thread and didn't find it. I see them on ebay a lot (full unit) but can't tell if its the 01-02 base model 4runner unit I'm after. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Look at part # 31 from the diagram in this link. That’s from a 2001 base 4Runner. The heater control bezel that ends in “50” is for a 99-02 4Runner w/ AC, no Limited option:

https://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/p...siteid=214329&vehicleid=84048&diagram=8414660

Also, Gunny is back so you can probably get the TW discount on it.