1stgen4real
New member
They say necessity is the mother of invention. I have been looking all over for a center console and window switch. I knew that cash for clunkers murdered a few 4runners, so I hit the yards. Went to one, and it was a bust. Went to another and it had a lot of 2nd gens. I found a cfc 2nd gen in good condtion, interior was intact but slightly dirty. I pulled the console and switches.
I found the center console had the rear heater core and fan assembly. Something to work with. I went home and found the second gen switch was compatible. Initial test fit of console said work has to be done. I started with the front portion. I found the brackets were stretched a tad, had to bring them in. Separated the spot welds from the forward most bracket. Measured and moved towards gear selectors. I affixed two screws through preexisting holes.
The second bracket was behind the gear selectors. It needed to be moved towards selectors. The bracket was held by two screws. I removed them and sectioned the center and removed it. I attempted to use preexisting holes, but the now tabs were set to wide. Marked and took to the drill press. Refitted after adjustment, now front portion can be secured.
The next item was securing the arm rest portion. What to do with the heater assembly? Should I add heat for the possible rear occupants? Nah! I have noticed that a great number of factory style subwoofer enclosures are just a plastic box placed in a ready available location. I opt to do the same.
First, the rear bracket needs to be attended to. I made sure to scavenge the brackets for the rear heater core when removed. The 1st gen was equipped with a bracket with existing threads. I went to the hardware store and purchased some 1 inch stock. I cut strips to match the core bracket length. I attached core brackets to core and welded the stock to them.
I took the core assembly and removed the fan, motor, and wiring. I reassembled the shell to dremel out the fan brackets for the woofer at a later date. I then test fitted the assembly, then fitted armrest. Borat says "Great success!"
Now to remove it, clean it, and install woofer. Also dremel front out portion more and add new selector boots.
Pardon the missing carpet and the nest of wires under the radio. These are future projects. Oh yeah, factory hardware rocks. I have found the previous owner thought otherwise.
I found the center console had the rear heater core and fan assembly. Something to work with. I went home and found the second gen switch was compatible. Initial test fit of console said work has to be done. I started with the front portion. I found the brackets were stretched a tad, had to bring them in. Separated the spot welds from the forward most bracket. Measured and moved towards gear selectors. I affixed two screws through preexisting holes.
The second bracket was behind the gear selectors. It needed to be moved towards selectors. The bracket was held by two screws. I removed them and sectioned the center and removed it. I attempted to use preexisting holes, but the now tabs were set to wide. Marked and took to the drill press. Refitted after adjustment, now front portion can be secured.
The next item was securing the arm rest portion. What to do with the heater assembly? Should I add heat for the possible rear occupants? Nah! I have noticed that a great number of factory style subwoofer enclosures are just a plastic box placed in a ready available location. I opt to do the same.
First, the rear bracket needs to be attended to. I made sure to scavenge the brackets for the rear heater core when removed. The 1st gen was equipped with a bracket with existing threads. I went to the hardware store and purchased some 1 inch stock. I cut strips to match the core bracket length. I attached core brackets to core and welded the stock to them.
I took the core assembly and removed the fan, motor, and wiring. I reassembled the shell to dremel out the fan brackets for the woofer at a later date. I then test fitted the assembly, then fitted armrest. Borat says "Great success!"
Now to remove it, clean it, and install woofer. Also dremel front out portion more and add new selector boots.
Pardon the missing carpet and the nest of wires under the radio. These are future projects. Oh yeah, factory hardware rocks. I have found the previous owner thought otherwise.
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