Help replacing some interior lighting

[T4R_Finally]

If anyone wants to flame me for not searching or whatever, go ahead. But, I've looked at other threads, the stickies, and the links in the stickies to other sites on this subject. I just can't quite seem to find the answers I'm looking for.

I am not looking to convert to LED or change colors. My climate control backlighting isn't working and, after reading through the other threads, I realize that the shifter should be lit as well and it is not. So, I really just want to replace whatever I need to get that lighting back. I pulled the console apart and the trim piece off of the climate control, but it isn't obvious to me how to get it apart any further than that and I don't want to damage anything. So, my questions are as follows:

How do I get into the climate control unit to access the bulbs?

What are the oem replacement bulb specs?

Can the bulbs be bought over the counter at a parts store or do I have to order online or go through a dealer?

 

[Devious81]

The shifter light bulb is a #74. As for the HVAC lighting, you should have 3 green capped 74's in there as well. If you have a Limited, the bulbs are different and have to be sourced at the dealer, or replaced with LED's, which is what I did.

 

[T4R_Finally]

It is a limited and i have nothing against led, as long as the color is close. But i still have no idea how to get to them. It will probably be obvious once someone says how but i dont see it now and dont want to break anything.

So i have to get dealer to get them? No online resources?

 

[KAILUAZ]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/83928-changing-bulbs-c-unit.html

Hope that helps.

 

[Brilliant]

My quick write up if it helps.

Id go to superbrightleds.com to order. You want 2ea of the width, 5mm and 4mm. This site measures the bulb width as apposed to the base. They are cheaper here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/98463-brilliants-mod-thread.html#post895039

Instrument Cluster and Gauge Backlights - Super Bright LEDs

 

[T4R_Finally]

Kailuaz, thanks thats exactly what i need.

Brilliant, appreciate the help and i have seen your threads and they are cool options, but i never could find the specific instructions to get to the bulbs.

I guess i will get by a dealer and pickup/ order some new bulbs.

Is the shifter bulb just white/clear or is it green also? I was in wallyworld earlier today and they had some plain white type 74 bulbs. Should these work?

 

[bolantej]

i got my a/c bulbs at superbrightleds.com. they worked well. the 74s i got from them did not fit very well as the shape of the part that goes into the socket wasn't shaped right.

 

[Brilliant]

Kailuaz, thanks thats exactly what i need.

Brilliant, appreciate the help and i have seen your threads and they are cool options, but i never could find the specific instructions to get to the bulbs.

I guess i will get by a dealer and pickup/ order some new bulbs.

Is the shifter bulb just white/clear or is it green also? I was in wallyworld earlier today and they had some plain white type 74 bulbs. Should these work?

Shifter - yea, type 74s should work. The light bulb on the shifter just needs to be rotated and then pulled out. The socket and bulb comes out of the shifter trim.

 

[rpearlberg]

I have the SR5, not the Limited....is it still the same bulbs for climate control?