1st Gen Lunchtable Thread - General Discussion

Definitely more than a 10 minute job. Something well under a day, unless many adult beverages involved.

 

The whole dash comes out in 45mins, the gauge cluster is maybe 15mins at most

 

I’ve removed the cluster so often I can get it done in 10 minutes. It’s simple if you know the process.

The central control stack doesn’t need to be removed completely. Just a few screws and pull it out enough to allow the cluster surround to come out.

 

That would be our resident Phillipino. I have a cluster light out, and it will remain out until more of its brothers decide to go with it.

 

Then do them all when you are in there.

 

Yep, the radio bezel doesn't need to be completely removed. Only the right side of the cluster bezel tucks under it, on an 01-04 anyway.

Heck it only took 10-15 mins to remove my entire steering column the very first time.

 

I bought a whole set of bulbs to replace them all even though just one is out, but yeah I think I'm going to put it off until one more goes lol. Pulling the dash doesn't look hard but the juice isn't worth the squeeze just yet

 

The truck cluster comes out so easily and deliberately. I still can’t figure out how the E320 dash comes out so I can change the radio cage.

 

Do these bulbs go out often? I always hear of guys changing them. I've never had to replace any bulbs on my dash yet. The only bulb I have ever go out in the entire interior is the glove box light.

 

Remove the lower dash cover, few 10mm bolts and a few screws. Remove the cover for your HVAC panel and the ashtray. Remove the hidden screws. Pull the central trim out, but don’t remove it.

Remove the three or four screws from the surround of the instrument cluster. Make sure your tilt steering column is all the way down.

Remove the screws and or bolts hidden under the lower dash cover.

Pull the cluster surround off, remove the four or so screws holding the cluster and the three harness connectors. Done.

 

Because German car. They over engineer everything & make it hard. I hated working on German cars. Luckily it wasn't very many.

 

At least it isn’t a Chrysler. I thank god every day it’s not a PT Cruiser I’m working on.

Well, it’s partly Chrysler. The car was made by Daimler-Chrysler.

 

Only thing Chrysler on that E320 is that word Chrysler, which just happens to be part of the parent company name... So we hope that that is it

 

I actually found my Audi came apart pretty easy. Hell the door panels were 2 screws and pull up. No clips

 

Yeah, thank goodness.

Just got the new radio trim in the mail last night so I can finally install the double DIN stereo.



Had to buy it for $170 just because the one I found didn’t have power seat switch blanks.

 

Try changing the headlights.

 

30 minutes. 2 big bolts and the bumper comes off. Then the lights come out. I did it

 

So cool, I love that originally those were all made with real burlwood. Well Benz is a luxury brand so I guess it would. Do the BMWs use real wood as well?

 

Is there a thread of changing the headlights step by step.

 

On 01 up he may have to pull the 12v accessory panel. Radio bezel won't come out unless that panel comes out straight. It's only 2 push rivets that needs to be removed but it's held in with clips also. If he's never pulled it off, it can be a bitch sometimes. The 12V plugs a have short wires so if you got big hands it can be hard to put them back on but shouldn't need to unplug them.

Radio bezel has to come off straight because of the ac vents. Don't have to completely remove it but all the screwes will have to come out. Only 3, one behind the ash tray ktowards the back, up above doesn't need to come out), 2 behind the climate control bezel.

Pay attention when you pull off the knobs. Don't loose the D shaped spring clips, Toyota doesn't sell them seperately, have to buy tge whole knob. Knobs for 01-04 cost more than 00 down. The clips should stay in the knob when you pulk them but some times they get stuck on the climate control. Have to put the clips back into the knobs to put the knobs back on.