Dash removal

I have a leak I believe coming from the cowling area, I was trying to see what the best plan of attack would be. pull dash or cut cowling?

I took a picture with a camera from behind dash and found what looks to be a rust spot where the water is generally coming from.

I can't see from top. I have attached pictures.

Thoughts?

Thanks, Rob

 

Sorry to hear about the leak. I'm going through my 2nd round of this issue right now. Can you help us see where the crack is located in the 2nd picture?

Some history about mine. I had a bad leak that allowed water to run down the passenger firewall near the wheel well hump. I was able to fix that with some Flex Seal early last summer. It seemed to do well until a recent cold snap into the 20s. Then a leak started closer to the transmission hump.

Since this is the 2nd time to work on this, I am considering removing the dash to get to the real source of this leak.

Some posting on dash removal.

https://adventuretaco.com/removing-the-dash-trim/

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120/remove-96-tacoma-dash-262835/

This video is for an earlier model. Though it might be similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BOzWaQwON0

 

I went behind the dash and just eyeballing it I feel it is approximately where I have put the blue circle