Hi! Recent owner of a 09 TCH and am curious as to what the procedure for removing and replacing the dash kit with a wood kit. I have searched this site, toyotanation, and google but no detailed description on how to remove the original pieces and install the new ones. I havent decided on whether I would do a small or large kit, and likely it would only be some of the items, not all. Does anyone have experience with this? Has anyone done a photo manual of this process? Maybe it is so easy it just isnt needed?

Thanks so much!
Arne

 

I looked into that last year, and decided not to do it to my own car...

1. The wood grain kits do not replace any parts. They are 'overlay' veneers.
2. Once installed, they cannot be removed without damage to both the original car parts and the veneers.
   • You get one chance to align and install each part. They use contact cement. If it's crooked, too bad.
   • It takes serious skill to get them straight. I don't think I would be likely to get right the first time.
   • If you want to remove a piece an try again, you have to buy another whole kit to get another one of those pieces.
3. It's not very "green". Exotic wood comes from exotic trees, which come from rain forests at great environmental cost. (By comparison, leather comes from the same animals that provide the meat in the supermarket.)
4. In the end, I just decided I don't like the look that much.

 

Thanks! That would explain why there is no removal instructions.
Those are some good points. My opinion of the project is shifting already.
Thanks again!
glueslug