1st Gen Floating Screen Retrofit

following, I don't need a large screen but a standard 6 or 7 inch would be plenty to get the function of AA for maps. everything else I can forgo

 

This probably only works with the electronic/actuated climate control models, right?

 

Check local junkyards first as the prices are usually pretty cheap. I got mine from LKQ for like $5 total and there always seems to be at least 1 or 2 in stock at my local yard at any given time. The knobs don't necessarily have to be in good condition either - you can actually remove the "light up" part of the knob and place it inside your Tacoma knob as it's a separate piece of clear plastic just held in with a clip so that's all you really need. The faceplate yeah you'd need to get the whole piece for that one but most people don't really touch or scratch that area so you'll likely find them in decent condition.
Another thing to remember is that the LED color for AC and Recirc can't be changed unless you desolder them and put in replacements. If you're wanting green it might just be easier to pull the whole HVAC control out of the 4runner and swap it out. Otherwise happy hunting!

 

CORRECT!!!!!

 

it could possibly work on the older controls since the distance is not that far or you could put the controls right below the radio instead of the bottom

 

Can not find the plastic piece with the knobs only, everyone wants to sell the entire switch assembly , the cheapest I found them on ebay is $100

 

I am guessing yes, unless the mechanical ones have some slack where you can move it, but I am using a single din on mine , that being said I am not moving my controls, just the air duct vents.

 

As an aside, I plan on extending my air vents through an extravagant subwoofer box in the mid-future which extends through to the shift knobs. Airflow is terrible in these trucks. I like the adaption to Non-OEM vents going on here.

 

This may be a easier way to mount the lowered vents, I am still trying to see if I can do it without cutting too much of the bezel.

$15 ACROPIX 70mm Round Black AC Air Condition Vent Outlet Universal for RV Bus Boat Yacht Caravan - Pack of 1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1TXQ82

 

I scored one on ebay from a 4runner with the clear plastic piece and the clear knobs, the green bulb LED should look right at home.

 

From 1st Gen Owners

Wow ! We are getting there !

 

now that's nice. I'd be willing to send mine to get this done

 

That's just a 3D printed bezel that a guy posted on a facebook page. I'm sure if he can make em people will want them.

I don't know why the roof isn't utilized for more things? Maybe most people don't like reaching up for switches? Or maybe your arm can block your vision too much from a safety aspect?

Like why not have a screen like that where the rear view mirror goes and integrate a backup camera? Lots less to mess with. Just have to make sure it doesn't fall on your head.

 

Probably lack of mounting points and nobody wants to accidentally drill through their roof, or run a bulk of wires through their headliner

 

Pretty cool. I added a floating screen Pioneer to a BMW with some 3D printing. I run a Kenwood Excelon DDX9905S in the Taco, pretty ideal for for these trucks.

 

Is it easy to get the bezel into a 3D design program to start with? I imagine the printer needs to have a pretty large deck in order to fit it all on there so probably not an ordinary hobbyiest printer?

The last thing I need is another complicated gizmo to learn how to use, but altering plastics inside the cabin has always been something interesting to me since I was a kid staring at my moms dash in her Z28. Always seemed like there was better, more interesting ways they could have designed them.

 

Not unless you have a 3D scanner. Then you need to figure out the ideal print settings to get a reasonable finish, and do it in ABS at minimum. PLA and even PETG will warp/melt in summer heat. And yes most entry level printers are only around 200x200 to 250x250mm

 

Ah!... I see the rabbit hole of moola already thinking of leaving my wallet! 'Get... back... in... there.."

 

Large format FDM printers get expensive, I have one I built based on the Hypercube Evolution design that can print 450x450x600MM, which is large, and printing that would be a mofo on it. Multiple prints, lots of supports, etc. Its a job best left to a SLS industrial printer or similar.

 

These days you can get a really good 3D scanner for a grand, so generating the basic model would not be hard with something like that, but it might be too large for a consumer grade scanner. If I could get the model to slice I could tell quickly how easy it would be to print. I usually use Atomic carbon PETG (killer filament) for automotive stuff, works great, but that's a big print.