Anyone know how to get this panel off?

trying to get behind here and see if any wiring has been cut off. it's been a while since I worked on my Taco, but I was driving it yesterday night and realized that the lighting still wasn't fixed. As of now, my odometer light is "fixed" on when I start my truck. illumination doesn't work at all and my a/c panel won't light up BUT works as it should as well as my shifter lights.

I know my truck is used and the previous owner installed in some power door locks (from what I gathered, the dealership just snipped a wire and made sure the odometer turned on, only taking out the alarm brain and horn), which are still in the doors thank goodness. I do want to swap out the dealerships alarms though for a new one, the panel is mainly my problem since this is a new model, I'm lost as to how to take pieces off.

 

Theres probably a few pins in the backside of it to remove then some wiggling

 

shtload of clips. lol

never took it off completely though...i only had to loosen the top part...

 

lower the steering wheel, loosen the 2 rivit things in the gauge cluster and pull it out, remove the 2 (maybe 3 i cant remember) bolts (i want to say they are all 10mm) then pull it off. kinda time consuming but i've done it a few times. i have always done it at the same time as pulling the stereo or gauge cluster out so you may be required to pull those out too

 

if you look to the right of the picture there's a tab you can stick a screwdriver in and pop open that cap and it should be a 10mm bolt.

I think you have to pull the kick panel part back to expose the other 10mm.

I had an X-Runner so it didn't have that black "set" thing, but I also don't remember if you have to pull the change tray out (pops right out). There shouldn't be more than three 10mm bolts. The rest are plastic clips that you just pop out

 

TIGHT!!!!!!!! thanks guys, these clips worry me a lot. lol it feels like more than half the truck it clipped together.


one a side note, I seen a Red X get pulled over (I think I know who it is also) yesterday in the afternoon when I was rolling to a friends house.

 

First few steps:

http://prsgauges.net/html/tutorial.html

 

I removed sill cover which just pulls straight up, then remove foot rest,pull out towards back of truck. Unscrew large black screw which holds kick panel. After you remove screw pull kick panel towards back of truck.This will reveal a bolt that holds the left side of the panel you want to remove. There is a small cover on the right side you pry off with a screwdriver and there is another bolt that holds the right side. Remove coin tray on right side (pull straight out) and make sure steering column is adjusted up and back as far as you can get. This will let panel pull out easier. If you go to Towing section, Towing Bible, Chapter 10 and go down to Step #2 and open highlighted "covered here starting at step 13" you will find some pictures which may help.
It sounds like a long process, but it actually only takes a couple of minutes.
The plastic panels come off quit easily. I hope this helps and good luck.
Bob

 

Just curious about why your lights aren't working.... Do you by chance have an aftermarket radio installed?

 

I think I know why because I have done it before. Make sure the dimmer is plugged in.

 

Don't worry about the clips, the ones in that area are plastic clips unlike the metal ones in the overhead console. Just give em a little tug and they should pop out. I've also learned if you break them they're like $0.50 a clip, I had a bag of 10 extra or so just in case

 

P.S. There's the tutorial! But I am pretty sure he forgot the little part where you pop the tab with a screwdriver to show where the 10mm is on the right

 

Maybe it is too late.....but here is a link to a thread that shows you how to get the panel off.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/1475-05-drl-daytime-running-lights-install-oem.html