Light burned out behind the Tachometer

[bkydmech]

Has anyone ever replaced a light behind the Tach up inside the dash? Can anyone give me some pointers on doing it? The truck is a 96 4X4 LX cab. More specifically the light behind the right side of the tac is burned out.

[99Tacoma_Austin]

Originally Posted by bkydmech

Has anyone ever replaced a light behind the Tach up inside the dash? Can anyone give me some pointers on doing it? The truck is a 96 4X4 LX cab. More specifically the light behind the right side of the tac is burned out.

I took my dash apart to replace the gauges with more modern white ones with indiglo-type lights. The whole compartment comes out together but for me to access the lights I had to remove the faceplate which meant removing the needles on the gauges. Getting them back to they were correct in gas and MPH was a trick I don't want to do again. The instructions were mailed for my specific truck with the new gauge faces. I couldn't find a electronic copy. I'd recommend finding the instructiions for your specific truck. Nothing is worse than leaving that one screw in and pulling the compartment out and ...crack!
Good luck

[snow-board]

I have the exact same truck and have taken out the instrument panel many times. It is pretty straight forward but there are some hidden screws that you have to take out first.

1) Two screws behind the panel for the fan, vents, etc. After you pull off the control knobs, the faceplate comes right off and the screws are behind the faceplate.
2) Two screws up underneath the ashtray. Take out the ash tray and the screws are on top of the bracket.

Other than that it is just taking out the screws/bolts and pulling everything off. The hardest part is getting the speedometer plug put back in. You have to have a small hand hold the plug while you press the instrument cluster back in place. Also remember to have the 4 way plaug attached before you turn on the key