Difficult to replace clear plastic gauge covers?

Hey guys, in my brand new truck the gauge faces look terrible, and I mean worse than any new vehicle I've ever had. They are swirled like crazy, like whoever cleaned them off at the factory didn't clean off the hard particulate before wiping them down.

Anyway, this has always been a pet peeve of mine in every vehicle, but this one is just too much since I look in that area all the time. Not to mention if the sun hits them directly you cannot even see the speedo.

All that to ask, are the clear plastic pieces easy to replace? I guess better than asking is it easy, I should ask if it's even possible to do without pulling out the whole dash. I'd really like to replace them myself, since I could take care not to scratch them and also add a protective layer before I install. Thanks guys!

 

Guess no one has replaced theirs?

 

If they're crap from factory take it to the dealer. They'll talk to toyota, if they're that bad and will likely be replaced under warranty.

 

Whole cluster I imagine.

 

http://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/pa...NT PANEL COMPONENTS&component=Cluster housing
Cluster housing, $108... that obviously does not include the cluster itself.

Now... is the clear piece a part of the housing, or is it attached to the cluster itself? If it's attached to the cluster, then you aren't going to get it separately.

 

I have seen people talk about just replacing the plastic piece alone.

 

!!!!!!
http://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/parts/2011/Toyota/Tacoma/Pre%20Runner/?siteid=214329&vehicleid=314170&section=BODY%20HARDWARE&group=INSTRUMENT%20PANEL&subgroup=CLUSTER%20%26%20SWITCHES&component=Glass

$20.

 

Good man Rich!

 

I had the same issue with my 2009 when I bought it out of state, so I did not know until it was delivered on my driveway. It look like some one use a harsh chemical to clean it and burned the plastic, so it looked all blurry. As soon as I got a chance, I removed the cluster and used the same polish and tool they use for the headlight lens and went medievel on them. Now they look clear as crystal. Like if there is no plastic at all. I was a happy camper again. The End.

 

ITS SUPER EASY!
Just get the clear plastic housing for like $18, open up your dash and swap it out.
20 minute job max.

 

Remove the plastic and replace with saran wrap, cheap and easy.

 

Awesome to hear. Is there a pictorial anywhere that shows how? Thanks!

 

I thought i was the only anal one about the gauge clear plastic.

I was cleaning, i wiped it with a HIGH QUALITY Microfiber towel, and it still scratched the plastic, it is TRASH seriously.... but i am too lazy to pull the thing to replace that plastic lol

 

It's really easy. Just remove the lower dash under the steering wheel first (of course after you unclip the door threshold and kick panel and the pocket section to the right of the steering wheel). The piece that surrounds the gauges and has the fog light switches is just held on by a few clips and 2 screws above the gauges. Just pull gently then remove the plugs for the dimmer and whatever other plugs are back there depending on your options and that will expose the cluster. The clear cover is held on by about 6-8 clips that you will see. Comes right out. Just took mine out to clean some dust and crap.

 

I have the exact same issue on a 2013. Some dickhead at the dealer must have used a harsh chemical and the whole thing is hazed and scratched like a 20 year old car. My 11 year old Subaru is in far better shape!

Thanks for the heads-up on the part number. I'm going to be doing this right away. Nothing more irritating than looking down in the sun and seeing nothing but haze when you try and see how much gas you have left.

 

Thanks for finding the part! Same issue here, drives me nuts as I know the plastic is so soft it can't be polished or otherwise improved.

Here's the part for my 2014 (and all other 2.5 gens):

Glass - Toyota (83852-04870)

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I replaced mine twice already. Once when i got it used. It was cloudy and then the dealership detailers fucked it up.
Now I don’t let anyone wash it.
The way i clean it now i start with compressed air blow off the dust then use plexus and saturated the lense and wipe gently clean

 

I think that's exactly the right way to do it, and that's what I intend to do too. I had never heard of Plexus before this thread but reading more about it, it sounds like a great product. I'm seeing it used for motorcycle helmet visors, motorcycle windshields, etc.

Do you have any other nifty uses for it?

 

I use it on my headlights and taillights also. I was introduced to it about 10 years ago when i had my jeep with a soft top it was excellent for cleaning those windows