Trim Removal. How to? [SOLVED]

Curious to see the finished product. Keep me updated

Thank you for the compliments

 

Negative, snapped right in

 

Have a look here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/attachme...el-safety-pad_removal-2016-tacoma-pdf.1015999

Some parts of it don't need to be done, as it's the process for something else, but gives a good sense of how much has to come out to get that panel out.

 

I just removed this piece of trim last night and I learned that you can remove it without removing the stereo, it's just a bit easier with the stereo out. I loosened the piece holding the "J" curve at the left side of the trim so that I could pull the holding piece back a bit. Then if you have small enough hands you can get in behind the trim piece and start popping it out from the corners. I have to pull it again tonight because I messed up my heater settings (accidentally moved the dials when the inside gears were not attached to them) so I'll try to remember to take some pictures when I do it.

I'm working on spraying my interior trim pieces too but I'm going the cheap, removable route for now to make sure I like it. Plasti-dipping the trim pieces with red because I have the black/red interior. The color is a couple shades off from the factory color but I like it so far and I'll try to remember to take pictures of progress so far.

 

Super helpful! Thanks

 

If you look closely on the dials, there are some arrows that align up. If I remember right the temp dial has to be in the 12 oclock position and the vent selector has to be in the 3 oclock position. Then on the white cogs, the arrows should be in the 6 oclock position on both sides. This is for manual HVAC, not sure about the auto climate control

 

The climate control panel indeed does not need the stereo removed. The trim around the stereo is so easy to remove though that IMHO there's no reason not to. Then loosen the top stereo bolts slightly and remove (or nearly so) the lower stereo bolts so it can tip up slightly to let the tab at the top of the climate control panel slide by.

This is with the auto climate controls with P&T on an OR, may be different for the other version.

 

Let us know how it goes. I've not yet gone that far into things, just to the climate control panel.

 

Thank you vangastl, I noticed the arrows but didn't think anything of them at the time. I found where max ac kicks in so I was planning to line up the dials based on that and full defrost.

 

Mind posting a pic of the backside of the panel?
I have the Tech Package so already have all the switches there, but there is a little bit of an unused triangle I could mount a small round switch in possibly, havent taken my panel out yet to look at the back and see if it is possible.

I think your switch panel will come out great, definitely post it back up when done.

 

Does the trim around the door lock and window switches pull up? I am not seeing this in the write up.

Thanks. The white really looks good.

 

no that's the only trim that doesn't separate from the assembly, the whole assembly is held in by 2 tabs and pull straight up, then you can remove the actual switches and tape off the gunmetal portion.

 

Here's a close up picture that I had on hand, you can see the actual "trim" part is molded to the whole assembly, you just have to tape off the parts you don't want painted.

 

As VangaSTL said, the trim itself is molded to the main part with the buttons. It comes up fairly easily, I got a plastic pry tool under it near the back first and worked it up gently. Once you get it up you just have to disconnect the wires. This video starts with him pulling off the piece in question

 

Here's how to get the lower trim/hvac controls out without removing the stereo. I forgot to take pics as I was popping out the clips but this method was completely by hand, no tools needed at all. Thank you to VangaSTL for the tip about the arrows on the hvac controls, that made this fix go much quicker. Also I'm sorry about the lighting, I didn't get started until after dark so I was working with the dome light and a flashlight.

Start with the dash trim pulled off so you can get to the top of this panel.

Pull down and out on that panel to pop out the tab which is visible above.

Doesn't need to come out very far so be gentle with it so you don't snap off at the bottom.

This is the "J" piece that locks the AC/trim piece in place.

Forgot to take pic but I started on the top two corners and just popped the tabs loose by hand til it came out. You also have to get the "J" out from behind the panel at this point so when you get it mostly out just bend the locking panel gently out and you should be able to lift/twist the "J" out from behind it. Three wire harnesses to pull and then you can dismantle the unit as much or as little as you like as mentioned earlier in the thread (I didn't do a full dismantle tonight so no pictures of that). If you want to dismantle more of this, there are 5 screws in the back of the hvac controls and the rest of the pieces are held in by tabs/pressure. Just be careful if you take apart the hvac control box because there is a circuit board inside of it as well as the gears mentioned in VangaSTL's comment and you can end up with your hvac messed up if you put it back together wrong like I did at first.

Get the "J" back in place behind the panel on the left and the rest will just pop right back into place with a little pressure over where the tabs are (Dash bezels are still off to be painted).


Bonus question, what is the point of this wiring harness? It is plugged directly into nothing in the back of the trim where I believe the 4wd selector would go.

 

Nice write up!. That's weird that you would have a wiring harness for 4wd but your only 2wd correct? Toyota must've included the wiring to streamline their assembly plant

 

Hey just saw your post, i have already installed the switchs but not the panel. Here are some pics.
I just wish the stereo usb and ect button were beside each other so i didnt have to space the one switch... but oh well it still looks good.

 

I've started mine and I love it. Had it professionally painted.

 

The BBP looks great! Are you gonna do all the trim pieces like I did or just some of them?

 

Allright well that settles it. Next mod on the list is trim painting.