Quick Help...Does this panel blank ACTUALLY pop out?

2018 TRD OR. Trying to pop out the panel blank on the overhead instrument cluster, the far right square. (Got the center panel out, as you can see in pic). There is no real access from behind, anddddd Im feeling like I am about to break it. Does it actually pop out? if so, how the heckkkkkkk?!

 

It should come out somehow, https://mesocustoms.com/collections/toyota-tacoma-3rd-gen/products/tacoma-overhead-switch-panel

From meso site:
"Since the original overhead console was not intended for this many switches, slight modification to the backside plastic will be required for button clearance. A Dremel or razor knife is suggested."

 

thx brother

 

I see you have a 2wd OR. I’ve always been curious, can you turn the locker on at any time? Certain speed restriction?

On the 4WD it is only allowed in 4LO..

 

I’m not sure I have only used the locker to tow a huge boat up a slippery boat ramp and to get unstuck on a trail. This is a 4wD Tacoma though. Not 2wd.

 

Oh man I completely missed the crawl control lol. I was looking for the A-TRAC button. Carry on

 

It does not pop out from the front. It is rimmed / has tabs on 3 sides, and butts up against a plastic partition on the side toward the center. You have to pull the back cover off the console to remove it. It's a bit of a process.

I can't seem to locate the post, but you are basically grinding off about 10 areas of plastic welds (the plastic oblong bumps on the back), and the back will pop right off. Some then epoxy it back together. I went with zip ties in case I ever wanted to get back into it easily.







I had to pull mine to install the

$659 SP9100 Switch Pros SP-9100 8-Switch Panel Power System With Concealed Mounting Hardware

SP9100 control panel and relocate the locker switch to the right switch socket.

 

That the shapeways panel? How but the cutting to clear the switch, I still have yet to paint and install mine

 

Yes. Switch plate made by forum member taquitos, and sold through shapeways. And yes, I had to cut the back of the console cover to give the switch a place to protrude through.

I would recommend hitting the face of the switchplate with a couple coats of plastidip before installing. The plate as it comes has a different sheen and color (slightly) than the console itself. I hit mine with plastidp, and now cannot see a difference.

 

Dremel.

 

Sorry I had a typo, I meant how was the cutting on that right side switch panel? Just was looking for any possible tips.

I already have all 3 panels and I have some sem paint already, I just need to get started on it.

 

The right side OEM panel has a lip and only comes out from the rear. From what I remember, You have to remove the back plastic half to get access to the stock panel faceplate then it will come out

 

Hows the finish after the plastidip? I really want to maximize the space with that passenger side slot but I'm kind of anal retentive about that kind of stuff especially if you have the other two right next to it to contrast.

 

To me it is a spot on match, and I'm pretty anal about such things. I spent a bit of time modifying my console, and wanted it to look right. It does.

Worst case is you could spray all of the switch plates since they will be right next to each other. I didn't see the need to spray more than the replacement plate, and by the pics you can see it is a very good match, and when I eyed them side by side before mounting back in the console, it was too close to even bother with spraying the factory plate.

The texture on the replacement plate is slightly different, but once sprayed, even the most discerning eye should be happy with the results.

 

Okay thats good to know. Seems a shame to waste that space from a functional or symmetrical stance.

 

Just pop out the other panels and cut it in half to pull it out. Once you pop out the other button panels, there are only tabs in the top and bottom holding it in. Cut horizontally till you can bend it up and out. I drilled a bunch of holes trying to figure out what was going on, because it was coming out no matter what.

 

I remember it taking me a while but I believe I got mine out without damage (gave it away to bacon_st) and I only cut the minimum needed in the back for access.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/irrelevance.674761/page-2#post-24168375

I think if you are able to cut away the plastic which presses it forward, then you can extract from the front at an angle.