Gauge disassemble.
- Thread starter Mudrunner
- Start date
off-roader
Expedition Leader
I'm assuming you mean the middle gauge pod and not the main instrument cluster.
That said, they're easy to disassemble but most aftermarket gauges are not a direct fit so you'll have to do something custom to mount them in place. That said, others have already done it. You can find some threads about it on 4x4wire.
Yeah I meant the middle gauge pod. Sweet thanks for letting me know. The '00 up sports don't have the support for the oil and volt meters on the middle pod. So was going to change what ever I could get, since they didn't make the gauge pod in those years for the sport. I like the look of the gauges from the full sizes better anyway.
off-roader
Expedition Leader
It's possible the full size's gauges will fit or be close enough that you can easily modify them to fit. This way the stock senders may be useable.
From what I understand the '00 and up sports don't support the extra gauges at all. I would have to rewire and add a bunch of stuff just to have them work. I just really would like to have pitch and roll plus altimeter. I had found and added a Clinometer to my old 4Runner. So I was looking for the same for my sport, I would go with another Toyota set but the 200+ price tag is too rich for my blood. Plus I would like to have a Mitsu housing I was thinking something like airplane gauge set or whatever I can find, to make it happen.
Also I don't really like the A-pillar sets either, other wise I would go that route.
Also I don't really like the A-pillar sets either, other wise I would go that route.
off-roader
Expedition Leader
The OE inclinometer are purely mechanical and have no electrical connections other than the light.
I'm not sure though about the Altimeter. I don't actually see a use for one since I wheel with a GPS and can check the elevation pretty quickly/easily using it instead and it will be more accurate (assuming it's based on your position on a topomap versus barometric pressure).
HTH.
I stuck a boost gauge into where my altimeter was. The altimeter was no use what so ever,especially here where the weather was changing every hour.
All I did was take apart the cluster,removed the altimeter part,used a hole saw to make a hole big enough in the clear plastic that makes up the face of the altimeter,and painted that part of it black(so i wouldn't see the numbering for the altimeter) I put a resistor in line for the illumination because it was a bit bright being at eye level. I also had to make a hole in the white plastic at the back of the cluster,as the gauge was a bit deep to fit in.
All I did was take apart the cluster,removed the altimeter part,used a hole saw to make a hole big enough in the clear plastic that makes up the face of the altimeter,and painted that part of it black(so i wouldn't see the numbering for the altimeter) I put a resistor in line for the illumination because it was a bit bright being at eye level. I also had to make a hole in the white plastic at the back of the cluster,as the gauge was a bit deep to fit in.
I stuck a boost gauge into where my altimeter was. The altimeter was no use what so ever,especially here where the weather was changing every hour.
All I did was take apart the cluster,removed the altimeter part,used a hole saw to make a hole big enough in the clear plastic that makes up the face of the altimeter,and painted that part of it black(so i wouldn't see the numbering for the altimeter) I put a resistor in line for the illumination because it was a bit bright being at eye level. I also had to make a hole in the white plastic at the back of the cluster,as the gauge was a bit deep to fit in.
Looks cool thanks for the info!
nwoods
Expedition Leader
I took apart mine today. Pretty easy. I did crack one of the plastic "button" covers that conceals the screws on the sides, and after reassembly, I could not snap either one back into place so I double-sided taped them on. The gauge pack itself is quite easy to remove. Two side screws to remove the housing, then four screws to remove the gauge pack from a horizontal tray, pull it up, disconnect the harness (mine had plenty of extra length to make that easy to access.
Once the gauge pack is out, there are a number of much smaller screws to disassemble the housing itself.
Note! The plastic trim on the facia is part of the housing! It does not snap off with clips or anything as you might expect. You have to unscrew it, and its easier to do with the gauge pack detached from the dash.
Once the gauge pack is out, there are a number of much smaller screws to disassemble the housing itself.
Note! The plastic trim on the facia is part of the housing! It does not snap off with clips or anything as you might expect. You have to unscrew it, and its easier to do with the gauge pack detached from the dash.
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lol I really don't like the look of the Sport ones. Also they run $150 where an older Montero runs $50 or less. I also don't want the digital compass, I am going to get the rear view mirror that has comp/temp for my sport. They also stopped making the center cluster for the sports in '99 I believe so there really isn't a clean way to install either. Have to get a spare dash and fit it then put that in the car.
Awesome that is great let's me know just what I needed to know!