2022 TRD OR Door Handles swap (need part number confirmation)

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar! thanks for that. Ordering an entire blackout kit from AJT now. Time to get rid of this dam chrome!

 

Do your vent rings and dash controls if you can. I did those and the shifter ring as well. If I put my handle covers on, all that’s left is the mirror knob and the glovebox keyhole.

 

And the steering wheel emblem.

 

Meso works with a number of third-party vendors. If Meso itself doesn't have them, there's a good chance that at least one of the vendors does. Search the usual suspects.

The Meso overlays sort of wrap around the handle. (They snap into place when installing.) What you are describing has not been a problem for me.

That picture shows the problem with a lot of the AJT products (including their vent rings): extraneous indentations. If you like the design, go for it. I personally like the simplicity of Meso. The Meso overlays also fit better, as you can see by my picture, earlier above.

 

Yes. I have the AJT steering wheel emblem. Meso doesn't make them anymore, because of trademark problems.

 

I disagree that the Meso handles fit better. I had both AJT and Meso handles side-by-side on the same truck to test them, and quality and fitment was identical. The AJT handles do have the “extraneous indentation” on the end, while the Meso handles are smooth. I personally like the look of the AJT handles, but that’s 100% personal preference.

 

I got vent rings, AC controls, 4x4 knob, and door handles. I don't have the push start and the shifter ring because I have a manual so saved me a little bit there. The glovebox and mirror knob are probably going to end up with vinyl overlays. not sure if anyone makes aftermarket black parts for those since I think most people are not that anti chrome like a select few of us.

 

Don't forget the strip around cup holders in the middle console. I don't believe anyone makes a swap for the manual but It's fairly easy to take apart for painting.

I had purchased a set of black OEM handles from amaz*n for way too much mulah. Then meso released his covers a week later...aaaargh! Too late to cancel the amaz0n order fore they had already shipped. Ended up sending them back and receiving a full refund, then promptly purchased mesos handle covers (when they became available) for a fraction of the cost. Meso rocks!

 

Somebody has a mirror toggle swap thread. I don’t remember if it’s a 3rd party part or a swap to something from a RAV4 or other Toyota donor.

 

Yeah the strip in the middle is another thing. Waiting for Meso to come out with a manual kit, they have a survey for how many people are interested in the manual version so I put another vote on that but just not sure that we will ever have enough manuals demand for it. Although giving it a coat of paint doesn't sound to complicated to me!

I will take a look into this. Would probably look much better than covering that small piece in some sort of vinyl wrap around.

EDIT: Found a replacement part but its $120, not sure how difficult it would be to replace it either.
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~switch~outer~mirror~84872-08020.html

 

Yes, you can pry it right out for painting. No need to disassemble the console.

I would suggest stripping the chrome before painting. This is easily done by soaking the part in strong bleach for at least two weeks. Be patient. Since the underlying plastic is black, it may not be necessary to paint it at all. I painted mine in Magnetic Gray Metallic, for a nice contrast.

 

* and the sun visor screws!

"You're welcome" to anyone who was previously unaware and is now annoyed by those screws.

 

That looks awesome! What paint did you use? Spray paint?

 

I painted that a few months back but didn't use any primer or adhesion promoter and now it's already chipping like crazy.

I'm assuming to get another part and try again Toyota would probably make me buy that whole center console segment. Does anyone know if that's a correct assumption?

 

Did you remove the chrome first or just painted over it?

 

Here's what I used (plus a clear coat) and it matches very well with the OEM gunmetal parts:





The shift boot topper and under-knob ring were painted to match along with the cup holders.

People seemed to have success soaking chromed plastic in bleach or using oven cleaner. After trying both enough times to guarantee lung cancer, I chalked it up to a loss and just tried sanding the chrome down. It worked relatively well, but not well enough, apparently...

 

Yeah, I signed the meso survey well over a year ago.

 

I dismantled the console when swapping out shift knobs. Tis when I painted both the shift boot connector & console trim with a leftover can of Steel-It. Same paint I used on the rock sliders & it matches the interior trim really well. I didn't remove the chrome or scuff it for prep. It's been almost two years now & so far so good.

 

Lol

 

Dupli-Color Toyota Magnetic Gray Metallic spray paint. Give it a coat of gray primer first.