01-02 4runner climate control in 01-04 tacoma?

Is this possible? When I first got my truck I took it to auto zone to find out how to change the bulbs in the ac panel and the idiot broke the whole control board. So none of the lights worked, I then glued and soldered 5mm leds in the back. They work but will cut off sometimes and you have to push the panel to get them back on. They will not dim and I changed my dash color so I want to change the ac controls also, I read the 4 runner panel is clear instead of the stupid orange screen on the back side.

So, should I shell out more cash for the whole climate control module (around $70) or just the panel which I found to be $31 plus shipping.

Will the 4runner climate controls fit and hook up to the 01-04 tacoma?

 

So the idiot didn't replace it for you?

 

Nope, he said. "Maybe that's why they tell us not to work on stuff". I gave him the, I'm going to fuck you up look and left.

 

I have the panel in my truck

 

The whole climate control module or just the panel?

 

I have just the panel I took out of my fiancés 4runner

 

Oh

 

Yea but I believe the module will fit to cuz they are bolted in the same places I believe

 

Ok, hopefully someone else will chime in. Im wanting to know if the plugs are the same to

 

I just did this in mine to get the green a/c and rec buttons with the white front panel

here is what I learned, first off don't bother trying to use colored bulbs at all, just get the white faceplate from an 01-02 4runner sr5 version (the limited editions have different controls) and leave the clear bulbs in it and it has a dull off white look to it that looks very nice. the paint on the face plate is too thick to allow any sort of color to shine through because its white paint and not clear so it blocks any color you try to use behind it and the color makes it not illuminate as good and be harder to see.

now if you want to get the green LEDs for the buttons then just use the whole control, they are direct plug in replacements for our 01-04 trucks. don't try to solder on new LEDs for the buttons, I ruined one trying that and a regular LED bulb did not work when soldered in it (yes I know its polarity sensitive and double checked that) so they must be special non-standard LEDs.

the part number to the one I used is 88650-35120 (ignore the number on the black plastic housing, that's just the part number of that cover)

I tried several super bright LEDs and colored regular bulbs and nothing looked good so don't waste your time.

also if someone is looking for the white faceplate without the orange paint, I have one for sale for $40 shipped. yes its not cheap and that's what they cost new but this one is in perfect "like new" condition and these are no longer available except if you are extremely lucky enough to find it in a junk yard somewhere so if you want to loose the orange look I have a white faceplate for sale.

I also have the amplifier circuit board from the control (part number 077300-2560) if someone needs it, its the big circuit board inside the black housing, the one without the knobs, that part I will sell for only $30 shipped. if your control quits working on you then check yours for a shorted circuit somewhere, this might be what you need to fix it. it costs $200 new

also you will also want the control knobs from the 01-02 sr5 4runners because those have white inserts in them, not orange ones. I don't have any of those for sale.

I have these extra parts after buying an 01-02 sr5 4runner control and broke it trying to replace bulbs. you HAVE TO remove the circuit board from the control to replace the bulbs or you end up breaking it like most people do. please be sure to spread the word about that anytime you see someone talking about changing the bulbs

 

The blue LEDs work great on my ac controls

 

they work on mine too but its such a light shade of blue (like the background color on this forum) so I figured I may as well just stayed with white bulbs. its no where near coming close to matching ther gauge cluster which is why I said don't bother

 

It matches my gauge cluster great

 

I'll try it, tired of the bulbs i soldered in cutting off any way.

 

well I certainly haven't tried every bulb out there but after 3 types of LEDs and a blue incandescent I gave up, so give us a link to which bulbs you used and what color was it?

 

So should I pay $30 extra for the whole thing off eBay or $42 for just the face plate and risk the LEDs stop working off a reputable Toyota site

 

or

if you want the green LED lights on the buttons then you need to get the whole thing and try to get one with the knobs with the white inserts so they show something besides orange.

if your ok with the orange button LEDs then get the white faceplate from me for $40 shipped and i'll throw in the 2 button inserts to change the buttons picture color to also show as white instead of orange. this option still gives you the option to play with the colors if you want.