I bought four new dash AC vents for my LC. I am looking for some basic help in how to go about removing the old ones and installing the new ones. Hopefully, the dash doesn't have to come apart or off. Thoughts and advice please? Thanks in advance.
New A/C Vents 97 Land Cruiser
- Thread starter busydad
- Start date
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Pop out the old ones, pop in the new ones.
Careful on the right side of the gauge cluster, I always break the tabs on the cluster surround
Careful on the right side of the gauge cluster, I always break the tabs on the cluster surround
On the passenger side mine broke and fell out. Replacement just slid in and clicked. So not so much help on that one.
Center one I haven't done yet but believe there are just clips holding that finish panel in place. See step 14.
For the two on either side of the gauge cluster you remove 4 or 5 screws in the lower panel and it comes off and can just hang there. Then six clips are holding the middle panel in place. Then a couple screws and a couple clips hold the upper panel in place. When you pull that upper panel out the vents are attached to it. Easy out with the old and in with the new. I don't know how big this picture is going to be so I marked the screws red and hilited the clips yellow. The trick is knowing where the clips are. You don't need to remove steering wheel, etc...
Center one I haven't done yet but believe there are just clips holding that finish panel in place. See step 14.
For the two on either side of the gauge cluster you remove 4 or 5 screws in the lower panel and it comes off and can just hang there. Then six clips are holding the middle panel in place. Then a couple screws and a couple clips hold the upper panel in place. When you pull that upper panel out the vents are attached to it. Easy out with the old and in with the new. I don't know how big this picture is going to be so I marked the screws red and hilited the clips yellow. The trick is knowing where the clips are. You don't need to remove steering wheel, etc...
- Thread starter
- #4
The question is - how do you pop out the old ones?
Pop goes the weasel.. use a pick or a wide flat screw driver. Protect the dash with something hard you can use as a fulcrum point and just pop it out.
I'm looking to do the same thing with my LC. Where did you buy your vents?
You can try part outs. I got a complete set in good condition from a part out.
Thanks. I will look into that.
Amayama has some, not all think, new ones.
- Thread starter
- #10
Bought from dealer. Doing a pretty complete makeover on my 97 LC. Probably paid too much but hey, they'll be new and nice.
I'll look into that. Thanks.
Thank you, @96FZJ80. Your post gave me enough courage to just bite the bullet for those 4 pricey vents.
PNs & Prices off Amayama:
Dash AC Vents/Registers
Part Number & Description:
55420-60030 - Panel Assy, Instrument Cluster Finish, Center - $41.91
55650-60050 - Register Assy, Instrument Panel, NO.1 - $45.08
55660-60090 - Register Assy, Instrument Panel, NO.2 - $29.39
55670-60030 - Register Assy, Instrument Panel, NO.3 - $31.19
1. Driver side: 2 vents by the instrument panel:
-Just followed the post by @96FZJ80 above to remove the panel below & around the steering wheel, which I also took off to clean 25years of dust off.
2. Center vent w/ clock assembly was simply held by clips. After step1 above, found some access to push the center vent from the rear & pull the assembly off. Unplugged & Unscrewed the clock, then transferred that to the new 1.
3. The passenger side vent assembly was the toughest to remove. 2 top tabs were sharp & hard, causing so much resistance to pry out. In the end, decided to just break that assembly to pieces than risk scarring the dash skin. The new 1 went in easy...press in & the 2 big hard tabs above & 2 soft lil ones will just lock in place.
Overall, I did not expect quarter century old plastics to remain this pliant & hold this well. Toyota of that era really built their vehicles for longevity. 1 of many proofs they abandoned that for the more commerce -friendly Planned Obsolescence ethos was the 120. Not 1 out there had a crackproof dash,a flaw Toyota never had to worry about prior. Still, both models remain worthy keepers.
Anyone know where you can find just the ac vent itself without purchasing the whole clock bezel / center assembly for the AC vent , my ac vent cracked but everything else is in good shape, has anyone had any luck with other vehicles or Dorman parts ?
