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Toyota Highlander Accessories and Modifications

1439 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2013 at 10:40 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 94 of 144

#930 of 1439 Re: 2001 Highlander center instrument panel question by jsulmeyer

Jul 18, 2005 (10:01 am)

Great, Thanks! I'm supposed to meet with the service manager today to discuss what parts I need him to order, so I'll try to hold off until I hear from you
 
FYI - the main reason for getting the work done now is this: I just bought the '01 Highlander about 3 weeks ago from my x-wife, who was the original owner. It's only got 41,000 miles and is in pretty good shape, aesthetically, and excellent shape mechanically. (it cost me $14,000, which, I think, is a pretty good deal - do you?) One thing that really annoyed me was that the coloring of the dash (gray) is literally chipping/rubbing off - mostly on the sides that are hidden when the doors are closed, but a little on the top as well. I checked with Toyota and discovered that the interior trim is not covered under the extended warrantee, but they contacted the service manager at my dealership and he, in turn followed up with me. I think this was a good route to go, as they took the issue fairly seriously. As a result, he was able to get Toyota to cover the cost of a new dash - including the air bag assembly (over $1,200 in parts alone) as well as 1/2 of the labor (about $350). Not bad, considering the car is four years old and the dash is not covered under the warrantee. So, while they're replacing the dash, I thought I'd have a few other pieces replaced at the same time, such as the gauge lens, which looks like it was cleaned with sand paper, and hopefully the center panel around the air conditioner controls, which, as I mentioned earlier, is showing some blistering, etc. I'm already spending over $400 for the dash and the gauge lens, so I REALLY don't want to spend $600 for the center panel!
 
Regards,
 
John

#931 of 1439 Re: 2001 Highlander center instrument panel question by jsulmeyer

Jul 18, 2005 (11:17 am)

Hi,
 
Here's what I've found out this morning:
 
the center console part - according to several dealers - is an entire assembly. The part number is 5590448031 and the price is $599.49; the "control plate" that covers the shifter area is part number 3592148020 and it costs $176.28. I checked toyotadealer.com but there prices weren't much cheaper; I checked toyotaparts4u.com and can get the parts for $479.59 and $141.02, but If anyone knows where I might be able to do better, greatly appreciate some advice!
 
Much thanks,
 
John

#932 of 1439 Re: 2001 Highlander center instrument panel question [jsulmeyer] by ettriguen

Jul 18, 2005 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: jsulmeyer (Jul 18, 2005 11:17 am)
Hey Jsulmeyer,
 
I was looking in to doing the center console upgrade to my HL. I went to the sites you provided but I did not find a search option on the websites. How did you get the info?! and does the center console look like the newer model HL.
 
Thanks.
 
Victor

#933 of 1439 Re: 2001 Highlander center instrument panel question by jsulmeyer

Jul 18, 2005 (12:50 pm)

Hi Victor,
 
Actually, we're talking about two different things. There's the center console that goes between the front seats, as seen in the 2002 and newer HL, and there's what I'm calling the front center console, with is basically the instrument panel, with the AC controls, etc. That's the one I've been trying to price (the upgrade you're referring to is over $1,000). As for the search feature, I've basically just been calling different online places on the phone and giving them the info and they've been giving me the prices.
 
Hope this helps,
 
John

#934 of 1439 Re: 2001 Highlander center instrument panel question [jsulmeyer] by landdriver

Jul 18, 2005 (9:53 pm)

Replying to: jsulmeyer (Jul 18, 2005 11:17 am)
Dug up the service manual and it appears the black plastic bezel covering the AC control panel isn't available separately.
 
~$500 is alot to pay for a control panel when you just want a new bezel -- perhaps a junk yard or other sources for used automotive equipment may have the part -- a few years ago my auto body shop gave me a couple of phone numbers for some distributors in California of used auto parts (don't have the numbers any more) -- perhaps auto body shops in your area may be nice enough to put you in touch with such distributors, or they may even be willing to order the part for you.
 
Another idea is to remove the bezel, sand, and spray paint it with a good quality black semi-gloss to rejuvenate it...

#935 of 1439 Re: 2001 Highlander center instrument panel question [jsulmeyer] by ettriguen

Jul 19, 2005 (9:12 am)

Replying to: jsulmeyer (Jul 18, 2005 12:50 pm)
Thanks for clearing that up for me John

#936 of 1439 Where to buy tinted window deflectors for Highlander? by angiepdx

Jul 19, 2005 (10:32 am)

I have a 2004 Highlander, looking for a reasonable online place that may sell Toyota tinted Window Deflectors for it. Anyone have any recommendations?
 
Thanks,
Angie

#937 of 1439 Re: Trailer Hitch for Highlander Hybrid [radicaldad] by waltrde

Jul 19, 2005 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: radicaldad (Jul 10, 2005 3:23 pm)
I've a 2006 Hybrid Highlander (HH) as well. I just put on the Toyota hitch after comparing it to the aftermarket hitches available. I was able to get it from my local dealer for $247 with a 10% discount. I called around and that seems to be about as good as it gets on price. I did find a dealer in Texas that would ship for about the same $$$. There is zero difference between the HH and the 2005 Highlander when it comes to the hitch or towing. Both use the same Toyota part number, and the tow ratings are identical. If Toyota was worried about the transmission, they would have reduced the tow capacity rating on the HH. If your Highlander has the tow prep package, you should be in good shape. Since the CVT is integral the the Hybrid drive system, I believe it may be covered under the 8 year/100,000 mile warranty.
 
The aftermarket makers haven't updated their catalogs yet, so the retailers don't know what to say, but I found one salesman who called around and got word from the manufacturers that the '05 units were fine on the '06.
 
I decided to go with the Toyota because the aftermarket hitches are all coyote ugly and Toyota's is merely homely. The key difference being how they deal with the muffler. Toyota's hitch bent the right support tube around it, while the aftermarket folks hang a big U-bracket under the tail pipe (except for the square tube models, which I found to look even worse). Before the 2004 model (when Toyota started hanging the full size spare under the cargo area), the aftermarket hitches used an inverted U-bracket and the hitch frame could sit back further and high, so most of it was hidden by the bumper. It looks like they flipped it and made it larger to deal with the spare tire issue.
 
Beyond looks, the Toyota hitch has two advantages: First, it has a more secure mounting arrangement than any of the aftermarket hitches I looked at. Toyota includes two plates that mount to the side of the frame rails in addition to the bottom mounts that the aftermarket uses. This strengthens the frame in the attachment area, provides lateral stability and four more bolts connecting the hitch to the frame. Second, it comes with a mounted wiring harness that will plug into the 4 wire connector that's waiting for it under the left rear floor compartment (assuming you have the two prep package). You'll still need a converter box to completely tie in to the trailer light circuits. This can be found online for under $60.
 
I found no hint of trailer wiring in any of the aftermarket instructions that I looked at, so you're looking at either buying an aftermarket wiring solution or buying the wiring harness (around $50 from what I've read) and converter separately from Toyota. The converter installation instructions for the 2005 Highlander include the Hybrid. The decent aftermarket wiring solutions seem to cost at least $45 or more, so I tend towards the Toyota solution for the safety of my wiring harness.
 
As far as price goes, the way I figured it, the Toyota hitch costs $80 more than the best price with delivery that I could find on an aftermarket hitch and I don't have to buy a $50 harness. That puts the price at $30 over aftermarket if I go with the Toyota wiring for safety.

#938 of 1439 Re: Where to buy tinted window deflectors for Highlander? [angiepdx] by desertguy

Jul 20, 2005 (6:14 pm)

Replying to: angiepdx (Jul 19, 2005 10:32 am)
Try: http://www.allfortrucks.com
 
Don't be put off by the name. They have many accessories for the Highlander and are currently having a sale. They want $69 and change for four smoke colored deflectors. I don't know how this compares with other places but I have had good luck with the service and products here.

#939 of 1439 2001/2005 Highlander Stereo Question - Need Help ASAP!! by jsulmeyer

Jul 21, 2005 (6:45 pm)

I'd greatly appreciate if anyone could tell me definitively if a 2001 Highlander stereo can be swapped out with a 2005 model. They look as if they are the exact same dimensions, but the big question is whether or not the connectors on the back are the same. If they are not the same, can I purchase adaptors that will make the two match?
 
Plan B: If it is determined that the two stereos are not interchangeable, is it possible to buy a new faceplate for the 2001 stereo or would I have to buy the whole unit? BTW, how much is a new unit??
 
Much thanks!
 
John

Messages Page 94 of 144

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