HVAC Panel swap limited to SR5?

simple · Jan 9, 2018

All,

I’ve got an 08 Limited and am swapping my JBL radio for a scion. Since I don’t have the nav, I require a new radio trim surround as well as HVAC panel. I don’t like the fake wood anyway, so I was just going to swap the guts into an SR5 panel, but will it work okay if I just use the SR5/Sport HVAC panel? Dual temp I think is neat, but honestly I’d rather have the outside temp and range in my tank visible at the same time, than worry if the wife wants the car a few degrees warmer than my side.

CookieRoe · Jan 9, 2018

I think I know what you are getting at. Getting the scion unit with your Limited HVAC bezel will not fit right. You need a bezel from a Limited that has NAV (or an SR5 that DOESN'T have the JBL. Anyway, if you are going to change the "guts" out of your Limited HVAC into an SR5 HVAC (for better fitment for the Scion unit), I think you can change the buttons over as well. I had the HVAC assembly apart a while ago, pretty sure you can transfer them over.

simple · Jan 10, 2018

CookieRoe said:
I think I know what you are getting at. Getting the scion unit with your Limited HVAC bezel will not fit right. You need a bezel from a Limited that has NAV (or an SR5 that DOESN'T have the JBL. Anyway, if you are going to change the "guts" out of your Limited HVAC into an SR5 HVAC (for better fitment for the Scion unit), I think you can change the buttons over as well. I had the HVAC assembly apart a while ago, pretty sure you can transfer them over.

Yeah, I know I can swap the guts over. I’m curious if I can just swap in the SR5 HVAC cluster in instead. I’d rather have the outside temp readout where the dual passenger temp is on the limited hvac. But I don’t know if the wiring is the same or if not having the dual ac hooked up will create issues.

AuSeeker · Jan 10, 2018

simple said:
Yeah, I know I can swap the guts over. I’m curious if I can just swap in the SR5 HVAC cluster in instead. I’d rather have the outside temp readout where the dual passenger temp is on the limited hvac. But I don’t know if the wiring is the same or if not having the dual ac hooked up will create issues.

I may be mistaken but I seem to remember reading on here that the dual setup has separate blend doors for each side whereas the regular system only has one blend door supplying both sides, if true then you will probally have issues getting air to both sides without the dual controls.

simple · Jan 10, 2018

AuSeeker said:
I may be mistaken but I seem to remember reading on here that the dual setup has separate blend doors for each side whereas the regular system only has one blend door supplying both sides, if true then you will probally have issues getting air to both sides without the dual controls.

That’s my concern. Some craziness, like when that little sensor under the ignition is unplugged you only get hot air. Welp, guess I gotta give it a shot. I’ll report back.

riceandpho · Jan 10, 2018

i think this mod will need a whole new center dash and a used hvac cluster.
find used if you can, but to keep the limited dual climate controls, your going to need to disassemble the sr5 and limited buttons and guts over to each other, should be too hard, only a few screws tho.
radio cutout for the limited jbl dash has a bigger hole i think. i havent seen much pictures of jbl radio removed and the radio cutout.

CookieRoe · Jan 10, 2018

simple said:
Yeah, I know I can swap the guts over. I’m curious if I can just swap in the SR5 HVAC cluster in instead. I’d rather have the outside temp readout where the dual passenger temp is on the limited hvac. But I don’t know if the wiring is the same or if not having the dual ac hooked up will create issues.

I thought the display showed the same info regardless of if you have dual or not. (?)

What it looks like now (please don't laugh).

riceandpho said:
i think this mod will need a whole new center dash and a used hvac cluster.
find used if you can, but to keep the limited dual climate controls, your going to need to disassemble the sr5 and limited buttons and guts over to each other, should be too hard, only a few screws tho.
radio cutout for the limited jbl dash has a bigger hole i think. i havent seen much pictures of jbl radio removed and the radio cutout.

I agree. The radio cut out IS bigger. JBL radios are FLUSH with the rest of the dashboard. NAV and "regular CD players" are recessed into the dash so the bezel has more plastic to it.

Anyway, there are HVAC difference in SR5/Limited trims:
HVAC cluster differences:

Left: JBL Limited bezel. Right: SR5 NON-JBL bezel

simple · Jan 10, 2018

CookieRoe said:
I thought the display showed the same info regardless of if you have dual or not. (?)

L
Anyway, there are HVAC difference in SR5/Limited trims:
HVAC cluster differences:

Left: JBL Limited bezel. Right: SR5 NON-JBL bezel

Yeah, I’m tracking that the 2 are slightly different. I have everything except the radio.

Though the display is not the same. In the passenger temp display area, on an SR5/Sport, the outside temp is displayed there. And then in the mode, all the modes are same except no outside temp. I prefer that. All I was getting at here is if anybody has directly plugged a non dual zone HVAC panel into a dual zone HVAC system and had any issues beside no being able to use dual zone anymore.

CookieRoe · Jan 11, 2018

simple said:
Yeah, I’m tracking that the 2 are slightly different. I have everything except the radio.

Though the display is not the same. In the passenger temp display area, on an SR5/Sport, the outside temp is displayed there. And then in the mode, all the modes are same except no outside temp. I prefer that. All I was getting at here is if anybody has directly plugged a non dual zone HVAC panel into a dual zone HVAC system and had any issues beside no being able to use dual zone anymore.

Ok, I had no idea. Anyway, good luck with your "surgery", LOL. Please post pics on the project!

dwaynebjjmd · Sep 20, 2018

simple said:
Yeah, I’m tracking that the 2 are slightly different. I have everything except the radio.

Though the display is not the same. In the passenger temp display area, on an SR5/Sport, the outside temp is displayed there. And then in the mode, all the modes are same except no outside temp. I prefer that. All I was getting at here is if anybody has directly plugged a non dual zone HVAC panel into a dual zone HVAC system and had any issues beside no being able to use dual zone anymore.

Did you ever make this work? I bought a 2004 limited and went to replace the grey surround bezel only to find that I bought one from sr5 and it is not the same.
I am trying to decide if I should buy a different climate control or just another bezel for a limited. all of the other parts fit except for the AC status and the stereo. I own two other sr5s.. so it won't be bad to have extra parts lying around.

Feedback? Thanks!!

tv4184 · Sep 20, 2018

CookieRoe said:
What it looks like now (please don't laugh).

What's going on with your display? Almost looks like its inverted?

CookieRoe · Sep 20, 2018

tv4184 said:
What's going on with your display? Almost looks like its inverted?

3 things.
1) Reverse LCD polarization. Look it up, but basically it is a strip of plastic (reminds me of thick tape) that reverses the visual effect of an LCD display.
2) 12V mod (factory illumination bulb is powered by 6w, these LEDs, or bulbs if you prefer, are powered by a 12V source). Why? More power!!!! Everyone knows the factory illumination is dim and is exasperated if one does the reverse polarization mod. I love the RP mod,looks nice, but that's my opinion.
3) The blotchy backlight illumination is my bad. I gutted the backlight "assembly" to accommodate LED strips. Obviously, I need(ed) a better diffuser. I've since gotten LED strips with more LEDs on them (more dense) and have a few diffusers to experiment on. When I get off my lazy ass and do it, I'll post pics.

simple · Sep 20, 2018

dwaynebjjmd said:
Did you ever make this work? I bought a 2004 limited and went to replace the grey surround bezel only to find that I bought one from sr5 and it is not the same.
I am trying to decide if I should buy a different climate control or just another bezel for a limited. all of the other parts fit except for the AC status and the stereo. I own two other sr5s.. so it won't be bad to have extra parts lying around.

Feedback? Thanks!!

Yeah, I would think it would be cheaper if you bought a limited bezel rather than go through the purchase of a new stereo and climate control panel. If you decide to get a new stereo and climate control, note that the climate control panel is different for 04 and 06+ I think. If it has the silver surround it should work ok. When it went to all black, like in the pics above, they changed the electronics with the airbag, so if you get a newer one, you’ll get an airbag light, I’ve heard.

However, if you do want the modern, all black AC panel, it’s easy enough to swap out the guts between your old AC panel and the new one. I’ve changed mine several times.

OleBlue04 · Sep 30, 2020

Hey all! So I am upgrading all of the center console parts to the marble accent finish from a Limited trim. I have an SR5 and I’m aware that the AC bezels are different in both but I have a question about the Dual AC on the limited AC bezel, will it work in the SR5 for both sides or not? I’ve heard that the limited had 2 separate AC doors but I just need the answers!!

HVAC Panel swap limited to SR5?

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