How hard to remove instrument panel from my gen. 4? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

kenratboy · 10-18-2003, 12:21 PM

The little clock to the left side of the gauges fell back inside the dash and I need to remove the black plastic area that holds the gauges, clock, and drivers side window defroster.

Am I in for a pain in the ass or is it easier than it looks?

Tubbyc · 10-19-2003, 01:12 AM

yes.. you are in for a pain in the ass.. I saw another thread with the similar question. anyway, remove 2 screws on the top (that is the easy part).. on either side of the plastic panel (left side of driver's window vent, right side of the clock), there is one clip that helds the plastic panel in place, in order to release the clip, you have to insert small flat screwdriver to press down against it (prefereably, both sides at the same time: this is the hardest part, usually people broke one of the clip, but it doesn't matter) then pull the panel toward you by first pulling down the panel from the top (bending the plastic panel a little bit so you can squeeze your finger in there and push it down then pull it out)

It took me one whole hour for the first time, have fun with it!

kenratboy · 10-19-2003, 01:56 AM

Cool.

Now the REAL question is: can I get it back together and not have issues with fit and vibration?

Thanks for responding! It was a very specific question

If you are bored, did all Canadian V6 Camry's come with a LSD as standard?

Tubbyc · 10-19-2003, 03:16 AM

yeah.. putting back is easy.. remove the clips (metal part) if you want.. that way, it will be much much easier to remove the plastic panel in the future...
since the panel is locked in place pretty tightly.. there shouldn't be any noticeable vibration.. at least I haven't noticed it yet
I am not sure about the answer to the LSD

kenratboy · 10-19-2003, 12:41 PM

Cool, thanks.

Is everything on wires, like the gauges and all? How about the defroster vent, hoses or something?

Tubbyc · 10-19-2003, 05:49 PM

there is nothing attached to the plastic panel. it is just a trim piece.

kenratboy · 10-20-2003, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tubbyc
there is nothing attached to the plastic panel. it is just a trim piece.

Sweet!!!

- I pictured EVERYTHING coming out (gauges, clock, vent, etc.)

Tubbyc · 10-20-2003, 09:59 AM

haha.. no, the vent is just a hole, clock and gauge are secured by the screws..

brink · 10-20-2003, 11:21 AM

I actually just did this in my gen 4.5 while trying to track down my speedo problem. It was surprisingly easy to do. If the gen4 is the same as my 4.5 it's really easy, I think all together there were 6 screws: two on underside inner trim piece, four holding the cluster down.

To answer the other question, all of the gauges are run electronically -- I have three modular plugs across the back. There's a bit of slack, but still be careful pulling it out cause the wires are kinda skinny and if you tug too much there could be possibility of breaking one.

brink · 10-20-2003, 11:23 AM

Oh, and the Haynes manual is good for telling you how to remove the trim, but I think their wire colors are wrong in the wiring diagrams. Just an FYI.

kenratboy · 10-20-2003, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brink
Oh, and the Haynes manual is good for telling you how to remove the trim, but I think their wire colors are wrong in the wiring diagrams. Just an FYI.

Oh, hey, I forgot I had one of those on my bookshelf...

Reguardless, sounds like a fun weekend project - if I every had a 'free' weekend...