Instrument Cluster Lens Difference 96-98 vs 99-02

[zacattack20]

My instrument cluster lens is scratched and I want to get a new one.

The '96-'98 is $52

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/F5E844D4-AA0D-4618-BDAD-308B033A3D34-3447-000001ED7959B77D_zps4afd9577.jpg" height="900">


The '99-'02 is $22

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/7FF9CB0C-C3B1-4604-8B03-813926D8E989-3447-000001ED7DF8C412_zpseaba39c4.jpg" height="900">

Obviously the instrument cluster changed in '99 but I can't see what the difference would be in just the lens. The trip miles reset looks to be in the same position. Anyone know, possibly somebody that has two 4runners in the different year ranges, what the possible difference could be? Or someone with a '99-'02 that has some good pictures of their instrument cluster so I could compare to mine.

 

[01thunder]

where are they $22? i'll buy one for that price.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I've owned quite a few 3rd Gens. I don't recall any difference in the lens.

 

[zacattack20]

where are they $22? i'll buy one for that price.

That one is from octoyotaparts.com but the retail price is $29 so you could probably get one from somewhere closer to you. Online has better prices than just walking into the dealer.

 

[zacattack20]

I've owned quite a few 3rd Gens. I don't recall any difference in the lens.

You haven't happened to seen them both taken apart to see if the clips are in the same spot?

 

[zacattack20]

I think im just going to buy the '99 and if it doesn't fit I will have a '99 lens up for sale.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Never had them apart. But I agree, try the '99 first. If it doesn't work, return it.

 

[rjaudi]

I had to replace mine. I have a feeling that the trip odometer reset button will be different between the 2. You can always try though.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

If you wanted to be a real d*ck, buy both. Use the 96-98, put the 99+ in the 96-98 box and return it... It's a d*ckhead move but I'm sure it's been done. Personally, I think good karma is worth the extra $30 though.

 

[zacattack20]

I had to replace mine. I have a feeling that the trip odometer reset button will be different between the 2. You can always try though.

I hope not. it doesn't really appear to be any different. It looks to be in the same spot right under 110mph

If you wanted to be a real d*ck, buy both. Use the 96-98, put the 99+ in the 96-98 box and return it... It's a d*ckhead move but I'm sure it's been done. Personally, I think good karma is worth the extra $30 though.

Hahaha yeah I wont do that. Ive worked retail enough and its pissed me off enough when customers do that. Especially when they would return something in the box that was old and used and wasn't even close to be the same item. And the idiots at the customer service desk wouldn't check it and just return it.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Wow, mines been cracked for years, I never thought they were that inexpensive. I just assumed something like that was $900.

 

[gornish_hick]

Well if it is any help for you I have both a 96 and a 99. I just went out and measured the width and height and trip reset button distance and height. They were both the exact same from what i could say. Now I have no clue what else might be different that I couldn't see without taking it apart.

 

[zacattack20]

Well if it is any help for you I have both a 96 and a 99. I just went out and measured the width and height and trip reset button distance and height. They were both the exact same from what i could say. Now I have no clue what else might be different that I couldn't see without taking it apart.

Thank you. That makes me feel better about it.

 

[zacattack20]

ok I picked up the '99-'02 cluster lens today and installed it and it fit with no problems. It had the same numbers in the lower right corner of the plastic.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/C494B0BC-A17C-4105-B5D0-57460565D719-7002-000003EE46DA4B72_zps92d5883c.jpg" width="1200">

I also was looking more online and some Toyota sites had the part number for the '99-'02, 83852-3D200, fitting the '98 as well. I know some '98's that came with the old style steering wheel and then like mine with the newer style steering wheel. So there could something with the '96-'98.5 years that had the older steering wheel that it wont fit. Just a possibility that I'm throwing out there. The part number for the $52 lens is 83852-35020. I'm really curious what the difference could be though, that its a $30 difference.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/E880784E-F29C-4128-9792-5D12A4877DC8-7002-000003EAE4F12A05_zps0c041a13.jpg" width="1200">



Old lens, it just wasn't clear and had little spots and scratches that I couldnt clean off.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/B2B7CC06-C5C2-4FE1-B146-AF5921E03D5A-7002-000003EAD07CF3D9_zps8ae6082d.jpg" height="1200">


New lens. Nice and clear.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/A89DF1BF-779E-4BC3-A706-DCFC22DDF51A-7002-000003EADAC76B7E_zps25716a8a.jpg" width="1200">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/zacattack20/8FDB183F-08EE-47B1-998B-6D80901723E3-7002-000003EAD5C10218_zps0cf89b7f.jpg" height="1200">

 

[T4R2014]

Good to know. Mine has some scratches but I think they are light enough to buff out.

Oh, and all 1998's came with a 4-spoke wheel. Even the earliest built 98's I've seen have the 4-spoke wheel.

 

[zacattack20]

Good to know. Mine has some scratches but I think they are light enough to buff out.

Oh, and all 1998's came with a 4-spoke wheel. Even the earliest built 98's I've seen have the 4-spoke wheel.

That's what I thought but I had to replace my clock spring, and even though I gave them my VIN and year, they gave me the older style one with the older connector for the airbag. When I exchanged it, the guy at the desk showed me on the computer that it comes up with both clock springs for my truck. So even though all 98's came with the newer style, there is something in Toyota's system that shows the older ones for the '98.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

In case anyone stumbles onto this thread to try to understand the differences between the '96-98 and '99-02 cluster lenses, like I did - there is a difference.

While the two units are made from the same piece of plastic (same part number molded in both), the odometer reset button is not in the same location. You can probably force the 99 cluster onto the older 97 reset button, but it will be bent and not work smoothly (ask me how I know).





So there you. A 1/4" difference in a hole location costs us with older 3rd gen an extra $20 .