3rd Gen Center AC Vent Fix - $0.92 and tax

kwbooth

New member
Good day all,

I have owned my 1996 SR5 for 4 days now and already found a home at T4R.org for finding out about my "new to me" 4Runner. So far, So good, So fun.

I was looking for a fix to the floppy ac vents and for less than the $30+ that Toyota wants for a them, each or hunting them in the scrap yard. My solution is below and hope it helps someone out and I apologize if it has been done and I didn't find the post before.

I have more pictures of the process but see that I have only 8 max uploads. I put the ones that I hope help illustrate what I did. If you need more process shots, PM me.

I picked up my parts at Lowes in the hardware section in the drawers with specialty fasteners. I picked up 2 packages of Nylon Anchor Nuts for #6 & #8 screws, just in case I messed up one, at 92 cents a package. They come in packages of 2. So technically it cost me $1.84 and tax. :)

They fit right into the square opening on the ac vent. They don't snap in but do fit nicely into the square cut out and I used glue to hold them in.

I needed to drill the hole a bit bigger. I used a 3/16th inch drill bit and after drilling it straight I had to wallow it out a bit more for a good fit. I held the nylon nut with pliers so as to keep the prongs from spreading out and distorting the nut. Take it slow when drilling or the nylon will just bend out of shape.

Once I had the hole the size I wanted, I test fit it.

Next, in order to not lose any or very little vent directional positioning, I snipped the prongs down to my liking.

I glued the nut in place and added a spot of black paint for aesthetics. In my picture though it is white.

Let it dry or cure and carefully install. It was a bit snug to get it into the pegs as I guess the original square inserts were more flush. But once it was in, the floppy vent issue was no more.

Hope you enjoy.
Ken
1996 SR5 2WD Auto
 

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Hey, just did the same thing with a similar piece of plastic. I used a blue anchor and could have done it better, but I just wanted a quick easy fix. The only thing not reversible on mine was the cutting I did on one of my vent blades for each front vent. Here's a few quick pics of mine. Sorry about size/quality issues but in the vehicle itself it's hardly visible
 

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Bump for a good thread. Since I've bought mine the passenger side ac vent was cracked and missing pieces. These worked great:
IMAG0399_zpskjfszlbe.jpg~original


Little super glue here and all is well.

IMAG0398_zpsofhkql59.jpg~original
 
3rd Gen Center AC Vent Fix

Thank you all for the lead on the subject.

I used back cap of a used pen pointer, an 'o' ring that did the job perfectly. Just used a cutter to shorten the length of the back cap so that it does not hinder directional vent louvers and drill it to desired size. Very easy. Fits perfectly. I put the o-ring on the other side of the main panel. It took me half an hour once i figured it out the materials to use.

Anyone who has a similar issue, I would certainly recommend at least try this once. No need spending on getting a new vent.
 

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Hey guys, I am shopping for a family camping vehicle, set up to be a mild "overlander" to traverse midwest trails, sand dunes, tow a pontoon boat, and haul my wife and kid to various outdoor events. It will not be a heavy duty rock crawler or multi continent expedition vehicle.

I am considering a 4Runner, Sequoia, and now GX470. I don't know a ton about the GX except it shares some drivetrain parts with the others. The Lexus is cheaper than 4Runners of similar year/mileage, and the on road manners of the Lexus appeal to me.

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