Machined Ring for Hilux Lighted 4x4 switch!!

@nazlax10 or anyone else that's successfully done the LED solder swap:

I ordered my flux, wick, chipquick, white LEDs and ready to switch from blue to white but can any of you share some knowledge on how you opened up your Hilux 4x4 switch to get to the LED? I tried prying the front cover off successfully (three tabs), but then found that the over-sized turning knob was in the way so could not get the cover off. Then I tried my hardest pulling the knob off with no go. Am I doing something wrong? There is another set of tabs on the back, wonder if I need to open it from the back end?

Also, any tips or things to look out for when I attempt to swap the LEDs? I've done basic soldering before sporting a Hakko 936, but soldering surface mount LEDs is a new skill to me so I plan to practice on a circuit board to help decrease my odds of destroying a $60 switch.

 

You need to open it from the back, there are 3 or 4 tabs you need to release before it will slip out. A little tip that will save you some aggravation.... I carefully pried the side wall with a mini flat head screw driver so the lock tab would clear and then jammed a tooth pick in there to hold the gap and just did that for all the tabs so I could slip the back piece out. That should make a lot more sense once you have a look at it lol. Trying to just pry it apart although possible seems like when you move to another tab the previous one just wanted to lock back in place.

 

Thanks! Figured I was doing something wrong...will try that method and thanks for the tip!

 

Thanks to @Up2NoGood I was able to crack open the switch without an issue.

 

Nice!!!!

Get that thing done and installed, and then post some pics, PLEASE!

 

Finished up the hilux switch the other day. Ring fit like a champ and with a dab of epoxy it went in perfectly like clockwork. Didnt have to pull the dash all the way off though just popped it out enough to get my hand in back and found some terminal leads in an old amplifier connector I had lying around. Super stoked, good lookin out guys, much appreciated.

 

Finally got the switch in with the black HVAC piece. Wanted to knock it all out at once. Soldering the new LEDs in led to some choice words. Never soldered LEDs to a circuit board before.
Went with green to match the stock white/green theme. iPhone camera is dumb, switch LED is a nice rich green compared to picture.

 

Finally!!

 

What's your dash look like? I don't think it will work... @nazlax10 can you confirm?

 

At the bottom of the page, in the "products discussed in this thread box", there is a link to it on ebay.

 

Yes I saw that but I was hoping to get a part number so I could attempt to source it elsewhere.

 

This is a good option of 05-11

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rcbs204-4x4-illuminated-switch.68173/

 

Where did you order the terminals?

 

It's this part number- P/N 82998-12420. Any dealership should be able to order them or they can be found online.

 

Tried finishing it up today but can't get my switch to light up at all. Followed the post and tried tapping into the wires. When I tap both wires and connect the switch all the lights won't light up in the switch or HVAC. If I remove them the HVAC lights up. Any ideas guys?

Also what did you guys use to set the switch? What type of expoxy? My switch is super lose so its just hanging there for now.

 

Can you take a pic of which wires you have tapped for the switch?

 

Ill go out and take a photo but they were the same ones in the picture below

 

Those would be the correct wires (green and green with white stripe). Could be you have them reversed on the switch but I wouldn't expect that to short out your hvac lighting, just not light up the 4wd switch. Did you change the LEDs? Also did you try lighting up the switch by itself just to confirm it lights up ok?

 

I have not tried to light up the switch directly to anything yet. I was going to test that out to check that off. I did try switching the wires to se if that made a different. Did not change anything. As you pointed out when it is connected the HVAC control lights and switch both do not light up but do when I removed the extra wires.

 

I will take a few photos and see if anyone notices anything but not sure what it will do since it is the right two wires.