Just got a new Instrument Cluster Lens
- Thread starter JP4RNR
- Start date
Scoobs
Member
Yes you can replace the cluster lens but it is going to get scratched again regardless of how careful you are in the future. There are lots of products like the Novus plastic cleaner, Megs 205, Menzerna final polish etc which will clean all the scratches off using a microfiber cloth. I bought Megs 105 and 205 to do the paint on the truck. Also used the 105 and 205 to buff out the tails and headlights, they now look brand new. Used the 205 on the cluster lens as it was badly scrathed up by the previous owner. After 2 passes with the 205, and an application of Megs NXT 2.0, all the scratches were gone and the lens was so clean that when my neighbour came over to look at the cluster lens he thought I had taken the plastic out and had left the instruments uncovered. He couldn't even see the plastic.
Also used the 205 on the badly scratched hood protector. Scratches are gone now and the thing shines.
Now if I hadn't been buying the 105 and 205 to do the paint replacing just the cluster would have made sense. But if you already have any of the noted cleaning and polishing materials available to you replacing the lens makes no sense at all.
Also used the 205 on the badly scratched hood protector. Scratches are gone now and the thing shines.
Now if I hadn't been buying the 105 and 205 to do the paint replacing just the cluster would have made sense. But if you already have any of the noted cleaning and polishing materials available to you replacing the lens makes no sense at all.
Tdub
New member
This was ridiculously easy. Just pop off the dash panel as indicated in the instructions then remove the 2 small phillips head screws and release the clips for the lens.
Video to Help!
Heres a good video showing how to replace this lens for anyone who does this. Its very easy to do and takes less than 20 min easy. Lens was only 29.00 at stealership anyway.
Not sure what owner used on this but he sure screwed up this lens, its etched up from it. Not light scratches like normally seen, its acid etched from a chemical...lol I know they are very soft anyway but damn its ate up! I use plexus airplane window cleaner with micro cloth, its great stuff and hides scratches. Scatch off by Kit works fantastic too for deeper scuffs, headlights.
Id like to of gotten this guys old one. Its new compared to mine.
Some things not shown in the video:
1st: Remove plastic ring around ignition by uncrewing it counter clockwise.
2nd: Take a 10mm socket and remove the 2 bolts (bottom L / R corners) for the lower dash cover under steering column. Leave cables on,let it hang.
3rd: Pull off main gauge cover/panel. When I removed the main front gauge cover I did use a tool, unlike he says Its on there good or at least mine was.
Left side popped off like he said, but right side didnt.
So if it dont, just slide your longest flat screwdriver from the bottom up behind gauge cover and when you get it to the tab thats stuck pry it out carfully. It pops right out then! I wouldnt start this job without a long screwdriver handy as the panel on mine was on good.
The rest is shown in his video. Hope it helps someone.
Be carefull to replace rubber grommet and put the reset button back through hole in lens when re-assembling or you'll be taking it back apart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPywrkCqZsM&index=38&list=FL2SxRHd1OA3rxWVT-5DeDLg
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Heres a good video showing how to replace this lens for anyone who does this. Its very easy to do and takes less than 20 min easy. Lens was only 29.00 at stealership anyway.
Not sure what owner used on this but he sure screwed up this lens, its etched up from it. Not light scratches like normally seen, its acid etched from a chemical...lol I know they are very soft anyway but damn its ate up! I use plexus airplane window cleaner with micro cloth, its great stuff and hides scratches. Scatch off by Kit works fantastic too for deeper scuffs, headlights.
Id like to of gotten this guys old one. Its new compared to mine.
Some things not shown in the video:
1st: Remove plastic ring around ignition by uncrewing it counter clockwise.
2nd: Take a 10mm socket and remove the 2 bolts (bottom L / R corners) for the lower dash cover under steering column. Leave cables on,let it hang.
3rd: Pull off main gauge cover/panel. When I removed the main front gauge cover I did use a tool, unlike he says Its on there good or at least mine was.
Left side popped off like he said, but right side didnt.
So if it dont, just slide your longest flat screwdriver from the bottom up behind gauge cover and when you get it to the tab thats stuck pry it out carfully. It pops right out then! I wouldnt start this job without a long screwdriver handy as the panel on mine was on good.
The rest is shown in his video. Hope it helps someone.
Be carefull to replace rubber grommet and put the reset button back through hole in lens when re-assembling or you'll be taking it back apart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPywrkCqZsM&index=38&list=FL2SxRHd1OA3rxWVT-5DeDLg
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Last edited:
LordAbdullah
New member
you don't need to remove most of it, follow this: How to Remove the Navigation Head Unit from a 2003 Toyota 4Runner for just the driver side section (lower panel, and the screws holding the cluster - the rest are just clips, and they pop off!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ter-hvac-switches-window-*steering-wheel.html will help with the rest of the cluster removal after the vinyl padding.
Bringing up an old thread...and not sure it has been talked about...but...
It seems the thing to do these days after polishing a headlight lens is to spray it with clear coat...to help it give some protection.
Wonder if you could do the same with a polished or even a new lens before installing???
If it is okay to clear coat the lens...an future light scratches...you should be able to buffer them out...
It seems the thing to do these days after polishing a headlight lens is to spray it with clear coat...to help it give some protection.
Wonder if you could do the same with a polished or even a new lens before installing???
If it is okay to clear coat the lens...an future light scratches...you should be able to buffer them out...
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
The reason new headlights eventually turn yellow is from the clear coat wearing down, from my understanding, so they have some sort of UV coating from the factory. When you polish the headlights you need to apply or spray some sort of clear/UV coating if you want them to be clear for more than 1 year in my experience.
I sprayed mine with the 2k automotive clear after polishing and about a year later they have started to chip on the top edge though others seem to have good luck with it. I will try something like this next: Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit
It is probably a good idea to apply this to new headlights to keep them clearer longer, but I've never tried.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
I don't think I would put a clear coat in any interior plastic lenses but it may do well or not, the reason they put it on the headlights is twofold, first and foremost is UV protection, the UV rays from the sun would destroy the plastic lenses on the headlight rapidly beyod repair, yellowing and also cracking the plastic, secondly is for extra chipping protection from road debris.
