DIY: How to Change 3rd Gen 4Runner Dash Cluster and Climate Control Lights to LED

An easy to follow tutorial on how to change the out dated lights on a 3rd Gen 4runner dashboard to LED. This was done in a 1998, other years may vary.
TOOLS:
Ratcheting Wrench
10mm socket
12mm socket
#2 Philips Screwdriver
Bulbs
Cluster - # 194 LED Bulb x4
Climate Control and Ash Tray - # 74 LED Bulb x4
#toyota #4runner #LED

[@krystalaxsom2255]

I have watched dozens of videos that literally go around the how to switch these!!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Even showed me how to switch the other light!!!!

[@hankhill3417]

Probably the best built and most reliable small SUV ever built

[@stephaniewilliams7414]

Wow!!! You have inspired me to give it a go with my '96 4runner with old green dash lights! Thanks so much!!!

[@richardsaudale1932]

You made it look so easy. Thanks for sharing!

[@Optiblue]

Thank you so much for this guide. I kept referring to it as I was working on my 97 4runner baking in the sun! What gave me the most problem was that darn cigarette light! Those 74 bulbs work, but require soldering. Didn't know you can only solder it to one half of the LED on each side. I blobbed it the first time and diagnosing what went wrong in itself was frustrating and took a lot of back tracing. Turned out it arcs and I kept blowing the 10A fuse under the hood. Resoldered it surgically and its all good now. Thank you so much for the tear down, I haven't had working lights on my climate for a few years and it was kind of dangerous at night searching!

[@eljefeslash]

Wow, thank you for this! Will not only help me with the cluster bulbs, but I could not figure out how to get those clips pulled from the cig lighter (was afraid I was going to break one of them) until I saw this. I was able to pull that entire middle section off for the first time last night, freeing up space to work on my new replacement stereo. None of the other stereo installs quite covered that from what I've seen.

[@Giztechy]

Glad I could help!

[@123tommyp]

That looks AMAZING. Thanks for the video!

[@melmp29]

Thanks so much for taking time to make this bro! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Basshead40]

Holy smokes I'm doing this to mine. Looks freaking great 👍

[@Giztechy]

Won't have any regrets doing it!

[@trivera648]

Love this video. Excellent work, please do more 4runner!!

[@92hatchsi]

Did this to my 3rd gen and lovin it!

[@4runner_offroad174]

I found your video and just went to pick up the lights I can’t wait to get them installed I am really excited thanks for the great videos

[@Giztechy]

Thanks! You're going to love the LEDs!

[@israelrodriguez6986]

Thanks for the video. You did a great job on explaining everything. This will help me replace mine.

[@markmcmanaman1282]

Excellent video, thanks for posting.

[@MussaKZN]

That cluster is brighter than my gen5 headlights!!!

[@Giztechy]

Lmao, def brighter than the 3rd gen headlights

[@robelliott5900]

Wish I could get mine apart that fast. Great vid

[@kcb3rd]

I did mine (2000 Tundra) with different colors. Look good!

[@caliking369]

Nice. Previous owner did them on my 4Runner but some are done so I’m going to change them out thanks for the video

[@valdiviajr1]

Big difference thank you for that great video I will change them lights on mine too

[@skysailing4355]

Excellent how to clip. I owned a 2001 4Runner and the dashboard bulbs all need replacement. Thku.

[@Gowaduv]

Thanks for the walkthrough. It's good to know there are no real snags to doing this. I bought green LEDs for the OEM look and can't wait to ditch the 200,000 mile-old incandescents.

[@yosupmynamesmac]

Which ones you get? I’m going to do the same thing

[@Gowaduv]

I don't know if messages are held or referencing a website blocked my earlier reply. Super bright LEDs part number 74-GHP3

[@eliasvigil]

Great vid. Going to change mine soon.

[@wesbryant]

Perfect video! Thanks!

[@miles242]

honestly it looks better stock. the green is super easy on the eyes and I like the way it looks. the thing I hate most about modern cars is the amount of lights on the inside because it's hard on the eyes if you drive at night a lot

[@albertoreales6953]

I mean u can adjust it with the dimmer to your desire brightness

[@justanotheraviator2357]

I like what my 05 Lexus had, a nice soft amber.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

I agree the white is to much @Miles

[@Hogwild9erguy]

Stock? Green? No way!! It's terrible

[@Steve13211]

Did you forget that you can adjust the brightness of the lights

[@justsilman]

Thank you so much for this video. I did it and it’s so awesome.

[@Giztechy]

Glad I could help!

[@TC-bj8pu]

Great video! Thank you!

[@camronfitzsimmons9527]

Awesome video!

[@culturahobby]

Thanks a lot! Will change it soon on my 4runner 2001 sr5.

[@california199_7]

Time for my new project thank you

[@Giztechy]

Going to look good!

[@gabekiakojori2392]

Looks so fire

[@jvogler_art4708]

i like the green light. Love the retro nostalgic feel. i wanna put a brighter green LED in.

[@Giztechy]

That would look awesome! Green LEDs are also available, let's see when you're done!

[@jvogler_art4708]

@@Giztechy Aw man it didn't workout. It ended up messing up my cluster and turning on dash lights that weren't normally on.. (The low fuel indicator turned on at full tank) Not sure what happened. I put the old type of glass bulb back in, but newer and it works perfect now... The low fuel indicator functions normally. After taking apart the dash and unplugging and replugging the super old wiring harness so many times.. I decided to just call it. Gave up on guage cluster lighting. But i will be replacing the interior overhead door lights and reading lights with warm LED bulbs tomorrow. I think those shouldn't give me trouble. We'll see. Fingers crossed! I've come such a long way with my 4runner since my first comment!

[@willgetitdone15]

Good stuff man

[@SC2point0]

Amazing job. I feel like I'd be surrounded by all the pieces and wouldn't get mine back together again lol.

[@billpeck1189]

Fantastic breakdown! I’m totally doing this to my 99 4Runner. Thank you!

[@pedromunoz3513]

where you buy the lights ¿

[@noe_braner]

In your 99, how did you get to the middle bulb under the circuit board? They started having digital odometers in 99, and I assume that's why this 98 model in the video doesn't have a circuit board on the back.

[@DarrenRussinger]

@@noe_braner The 194's won't work on a '99. I'm sitting here with everything torn apart slowly putting everything back together.

[@ethanharris5696]

@@DarrenRussinger did the same🤣

[@seandavis6849]

@@DarrenRussingerdid you ever figure out what size they are??? Cause i did the same thing

[@HarleyFatBoyJr]

great share fam!!!! i have a 99 and need to swap out all the lights.

[@heavyratt]

Nice video ....thanks 🤘

[@JosephJoJoFlores]

I have the lights on my 3rd gen! Installed leds on every light in my car. Including shift light, and temperature control

[@robelliott5900]

What size is the shifter light bro? I didn’t think there was one in there

[@OB1Canobi]

Very helpful video. One note my 2000 Limited was a bit different all 74 bulbs on the instrument cluster about 30

[@batterybuilding]

Did you do the automatic climate module lights? I just took mine apart and they are completely different.

[@OB1Canobi]

Used Antline 74 bulbs on Amazon ordered green and white.

[@Contest4Freedom]

Hell yeah thanks!

[@Ana-ck6jy]

thanks! just changed ours in our '96!

[@Giztechy]

Glad I could help!

[@meessiks]

watching this video makes me want to change the lights from my toyota too hahaha, looks a way better

[@bryanmaragh7371]

Thanks very much

[@JakeKelsick]

About to do this to my 4runner but quick question. Currently my dash doesn’t light up at all. Could it just be blown bulbs? Gear lights airbag etc all light up but no dash. My 4runner has always on lights does that mean that the dash lights would always been on as well? Just bought it so still learning the in’s and outs of normal operation. Great video very clear instructions.

[@rafaelgarza4122]

I need to do this

[@jsngrmjo8525]

Looks so dope!!! Where did you get them leds from I wanna order for mine

[@carlosamaya2799]

That looks 100 times better . I am going to order the bulbs how many 194s and 74s did you used ? Thank you I

[@wilkinsmontoya538]

Love the video. Do you know if the climate control light bulbs for a 97 4runner are the same since yours is a new model.

[@Velcrostraps91]

That's Fkn SICK 🔥🔥🔥💪💪😎🤝

[@cobrablanco2953]

Looks cool easier to see if you ask me Might be a bit bright at night for some people. Badass anyway

[@Giztechy]

Much easier to see and it can always be dimmed down with the oem switch! (which I do)

[@ots-oldtosoon2260]

Sick mod 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good video i Need to change the bulbs in the factory stereo you got any idea on that ?

[@TheEllakes]

I need to do this 😅

[@Giztechy]

Definitely worth it!

[@echosierraenroute]

the dimmer knob function still works well? what type of LEDs were these?

[@CheletoVlog]

Muchas gracias

[@Destroyer67x]

First off, thanks for the guide! Really helpful and informative. My only problem is I replaced the light for the gas too and now my gas light is on. Either that or the bulb is too bright where it shows it on. Edit: after changing the lightbulb for another LED and double checking the connectors, the gas light is gone!

[@ninja3732]

Thanks

[@jacobtaase3]

What brands did you use for 74 led bulbs? Awesome video !

[@zebanderson7927]

Ya I can't find the right bulbs

[@egutierrez81eg]

Thanx bro

[@tonydeeznuts]

Do you have the link to the bulbs you bought?

[@yamahasakisteveniv8349]

Nice ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@brandonknight7240]

Great hands👌

[@Hearne_]

Are there any lights in the shifter indicator by the shifter? I don't have the shift position indicator on the cluster and the shifter indicator is unlit in my 97.

[@chriscox3383]

How many of each bulb type do you need for a full interior swap?

[@glazecase]

Hey, nice informative video. Could you still dim the led dash light? Or is it only max brightness?

[@Giztechy]

The lights can be dimmed!

[@AdrianHernandez-nn9ww]

Just changed my dash bulbs to leds as well, a week later my gauge fuse kept blowing so you think the lights could be the problem?

[@joeabbott2112]

Where did you get the LED from?

[@AldoMigliaresi]

You could change the shifter led as well , should be a T5 if I’m not wrong

[@DreamWarrior1987]

How many of each did you use to replace all that you did?

[@horaciosiles3364]

Are your leds still working? I did the same but 2 months after got flickering issues

[@halbertsilzly8282]

what #bulb did you use on the key ring?

[@matthewhumcke3182]

Hi! these light will be able to be dimmed, right? i think that knob you pulled first was to control the brightness so i wanna check these LED bulbs can be dimmed just like the stock ones

[@ericschwartz7809]

Is there individual bulbs for the gear position indicator? I'm about to upgrade my mom's for her and most of her gear position lights are out.

[@nailaibai8089]

Just for reassurance the 74 bulb is a T5, and the 194 is a T10 correct? Idk if it’s always gonna be that way but I’m not sure what that means when im looking for them online

[@markstrongvid]

Does the rheostat still function to adjust brightness?

[@anthonybannister3557]

Looks great and easy to do - before I take anything apart on my 98 3rd Gen. 4 - I’ve seen a few of these and what I’m trying to find out is - my high beam indicator lamp is not working, is it a replaceable bulb ?

[@junebuggy0071]

Upgrading your head light bulbs to led causes the high beam indicator lamp to not function. I have encountered the same issue. I am also looking for the solution. I don't know if upgrading the fuse for the head lights will do the trick. I'd like to find the solution as well. 1997 SR5 here!

[@Sl0thTeam6]

Does the 4x4 light under the fuel gauge work? Mine doesn’t now neither does the low fuel light

[@blakebrattina7574]

Any chance you know if I were to do this on my 2000 with an electronic odometer if it would mess that up?

[@Mitchell.E]

Hey which ones from Amazon did you buy? I'd like to make sure I get dimmable ones like you have. Thanks!

[@Giztechy]

They were from auxito and yeeron on amazon!

[@fcjohn6789]

Do you know if this would be the same exact lights for a 99?

[@jeremyjohnson6065]

How many of each bulb was used? Looking to buy some but they are $13 each at my local store, want to make sure I’m not over buying

[@jerrydieckgrafe7431]

Great video, easy to do. I changed all the bulbs, warning lights included. I like the brightness, but...some of my warning lights stay on all the time, some don't come on at all. What did I do wrong?

[@arturoromero9549]

I have the same issue but only my gas light stays on.

[@jaypedro147]

Do you have the link to the lights ! Great video

[@Giztechy]

Thank you! Just search on amazon for the correct bulbs that I have listed in the description, amazon products and prices are always changing and I'm also in Canada, so it will be different to those of you in the States!

[@samjester2804]

is the 1999+ the same bulb size ? i’ve heard that it’s different but want to confirm before i buy

[@DavidGuba7]

What about the A/C button, what bulb size for that one?

[@Jpt01amr]

Are the climate control light bulbs T5’s as well?

[@MiguelGarita]

Hi, my 2002 4Runner dimmer is not working, how can I test it? It is locked in minimum bright.

[@moisesbaltazar8058]

Is the same #194 o #74 for key ring light?

[@dnjalanis211]

Hey man thanks for the video. So I ended up switching mine to the LEDs but unfortunately found out the hard way you can't switching your blinker lights out cause they will stay on all the time . I got that fixed but now I have a different issue, and was wondering if you know what I can do ? So the vsc trac and off came on after I switched the lights idk if I need to change certain ones back to the stock ones ?

[@ryanwong9740]

I have the same issue. Any ideas on fixes? Read on a forum that the gear indicator lights are the issue and may need to go back to incandescent. Will try swapping them back to see what happens.

[@ej2659]

Does the dimmer still work after doing this?

[@conorkusich8073]

Great Video! Super easy to follow along! Some questions/comments Im halfway along as im writing this... and noticed while testing the lights that the dimmer will hum if it is not off or all the way full bright. (Still works fine) Issue? Maybe, mabye not. My cluster is bright across the board but not as bright as yours looks in the video, I appear to be using the same exact lights you used, I flip flopped the direction of the LED but they worked both ways to my surprise, it was the terminal that stopped working if it got switched around. Did you have any excess heat coming from the main 2 Lights? After testing I noticed they were hot, and the green on the plugs had turned brown. I dont know if this is because the car is old or because the LEDs cooked it, I didnt notice before I swapped everything over

[@Giztechy]

The dimmer on my car works without any issues. I actually keep it slightly dimmed since it's so bright and hear no humming at all. All your lights worked fine prior to the led conversion? Any other electrical issues going on? The easiest way to troubleshoot this issue is try using a different set/brand of LEDs. Perhaps the ones you have are faulty? Next thing to try is get a volt meter and find the wire that provides the power to the cluster lights and make sure you're getting 12 volts. I've also had no issues with heat from the LEDs.

[@conorkusich8073]

@@Giztechy Maybe im just being thorough in my experience. The dimmer works fine, but with the car off (quiet) and the dash all apart, I heard a very slight hum from something when I was testing, and traced it to the dimmer, I could not hear it at all with the car together and running. No problem. My lights worked just fine before, your video inspired me to get in there and change them! Turns out, the lights look pretty good on camera, I sent a photo to my buddy and they looked identical to yours in the video, which makes perfect sense, the cameras love bright lights in dark spaces. No problem, just a little different expectation vs reality, still 100% better. As far as the heat, I was holding it just after it was on, any light will be hot like that. Im running them pretty dim too, it is pretty bright regardless! Ill keep an eye out for smoke, until then, no problem haha Thanks!

[@Giztechy]

@@conorkusich8073 That's good to hear! LEDs are great and I couldn't imagine my 4runner without them now. I've been on some lengthy drives with the lights on and haven't noticed any issues with the heat, so you should be good! I'll be installing LED reverse lights tomorrow and I'll post up a video. The stock lights don't help much when you're out of the city in pitch black so LED lights should greatly improve that. Maybe that video will inspire you to change yours too! Haha

[@conorkusich8073]

@@Giztechy I tried to do all the rear lights today too haha but the lights I recieved were incorrect for my year, ive only had the 4runner for about a month and she is coming together great, these little details make all the difference.

[@aleasharowe2551]

Are the bulb sizes the same for a 2011 4Runner?

[@UGotAPerdyMouf]

Does the dimmer work correctly with LEDs?

[@ThatGlock45]

Great upgrade. By chance do you know how many leds of each you bought or are in total?

[@Giztechy]

They come in packs with more than you’ll need on Amazon

[@ThatGlock45]

@@Giztechy gotchya I have a 99. And I'm reading mixed info on bulbs, about #74s for alot of them n a #24, but can't find an actual #24 led bulb, but just ordered 9003/h4 led headlight buls n a 2p pack of #74s foe the old dash bulbs

[@Giztechy]

@@ThatGlock45 yeah, 99 is different cluster. Uses 24 www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/160498-led-dash-lights-faqs.html

[@ThatGlock45]

@@Giztechy that's what I was going off haha, but yeah can't find #24 bulbs for the most part. I'll jeep searching. Thanks

[@brucewayne2773]

99 to 2002 uses T-5 bulbs, it did not light up the same way as the older clusters like the one you did. When my bulb lights up it focuses too much light on the one spot and does not disperse it very well at all. The console light was ok to do, that used the same T5 bulbs.

[@adamoliphant4570]

Can you describe this a bit more? I have a 2001 4runner I was thinking about doing this for, however I worry it will be too bright

[@DJ-Coma]

@@adamoliphant4570 I have same 2001 4Runner. Did you ever do this?

[@AlexM-eh7gr]

you can see in his video, he still has some bright spots in the climate controls. I have a 99 and have lived with this issue. Looking for a fix

[@danielfaber6325]

Can you drop the link to the bulbs you used for the dash & ignition, thinking about doing this on my '96. Great video!

[@bleach8672]

I think this might be it, I’ll try and see if they work when I install them

[@danielfaber6325]

@@bleach8672 thank you bleach 😂

[@bleach8672]

@@danielfaber6325 😎

[@matthewoster8354]

@@bleach8672what was the website?

[@PolloConArroz290]

@@bleach8672 WHAT WAS THE WEBSITE💻

[@jdrobinson1245]

Hey, what size bulb was for the ignition light? Also, why didn’t you change the lights on the radio? Thanks!

[@seandavis6849]

Amazon t5 37 74 leds its a 10 pack of whatever color comes with new sockets and the bulb will fit key ring and cig lighter

[@devin7542]

Any tips on removing the low fuel light? Came on after installing the LED’s in the gauge cluster… I have a 1996 4Runner, i think 1996-1998 is a little different?

[@Giztechy]

Your low fuel light stays on with full tank? Could have just came on coincidentally. I don’t think it has anything to do with the LEDs. Can try taking the cluster out again and clean the contacts (maybe put back original bulb for fuel light to start). Could be the sensor in the tank going bad, low fuel pressure, bad fuse/resistor, fuel filter/pump, etc. Hope this helps!

[@hhsjca81]

How many #194, #74 altogether? Thanks

[@jyoung2393]

Same bulbs for the 98-04 tacoma?

[@shreddder999]

Are the bulbs 74 or 2721?