69 Runner lower switch panel removal questions.

[CandianRunner69]

I'll be trying to remove this panel to restore it myself in the next couple weeks once the car goes away. I have tried a couple times already, but I seem to be getting hung up on something... I'm afraid of snapping it. 44 years old... has to be a bit brittle... Any suggestions from anyone who has removed one already would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks in Advance...

 

[eagleone1983]

Are you talking about the black textured panel on the dash that holds the switches for the head lights, dome, etc?

 

[CandianRunner69]

That would be the one !!!!

 

[69Bee]

The panel is wedged in there, so you will have to work it out. It is (should be) made of metal, or at least one I took out was.

 

[CandianRunner69]

I do appreciate the advice... I'll massage it out i guess... I just thought I was going to break it... Not something i want to try and track down.... pretty hard to find item..

 

[eagleone1983]

yeah it's made of potmetal so it would take a lot to actually break it. It's only held on with the black screws on the front, you'll also have to disconnect all the switches as those are all screwed in place to the panel.

 

[CandianRunner69]

yeah it's made of potmetal so it would take a lot to actually break it. It's only held on with the black screws on the front, you'll also have to disconnect all the switches as those are all screwed in place to the panel.

Thanks again for the info..... really appreciate it

 

[paladin06]

Yea, I've had mine ot 3 times in two weeks. It takes some pulling and you my want to pry with a plastic object at the top corners to get it out. You must pull it straight out or it will hang up on the metal support behind the panel.

 

[Kowal]

The panel gets hung up on the dimmer switch on the left, you will have to do a little bit of jiggling to get it out without breaking either the dimmer or the headlight switch.

 

[Funship32]

Question to those that have removed this panel in the past: Do you have to unplug the switches 1st and then remove or is there enough slack in the wiring to pull it out and then unplug? I would imagine the former but figured those who have done such are 'in the know'.

 

[paladin06]

No, just pull it out slightly then unplug the switches.

 

[Kowal]

I have done it a few times. Avoid my first, angry, frustrated, approach which resulted in a broken dimmer and the need to bend back the area around the dash where the light switches were. Though admittedly it was easier to reinstall with part of the dash moved and a new repro dimmer which is thinner.