I've seen cheesy little clinometers in parts catalogs, but I've never seen an altimeter/clinometer combo! Was this factory at any point? Assuming it wasn't, where could I find one for a '95? =B= >

I know the ones you are talking about and there are some other message boards with lots of info on the different ones out there, but here's what I know: The one I bought came from an 86 or 87 and like I wrote earlier, it ended up being a direct plug in. The hardest part about the install was taking the dashpad off, but it was cake once I had looked at the shop manual. I have heard that they made the alt/inclinometer for the 2nd gen runners that are not sold here. You might try and do a web search on that one and I have seen some people install them in their dash area for a pretty stock look. If you type in toyota and clinometer on Google, you will find some information there. Though it bolted in and hooked up perfectly, it doesn't sit snug enough in the dash pocket. I don't know if that's because of a difference between my 89 and the 86 it came out of or if that's just the way it is. I do know that now I can say that my runner has every factory option installed even if it came after the fact. Email me if you have more questions. patrick

some one has to tell me why fit one is it so you can see that you are running out of oxygen or in danger of being hit by an F111 at cruising altitude or you go in to corners so hard and lift it on to two wheels and just need to keep a check on the angle of the dangle or is it simply the boy with the most toys wins regards david

Let's see.....I could just say "because I can", but then that wouldn't be an appropriate response. Here are a few reasons and I am sure the gang can think of a few more. Do you ski? If you do, you will notice that your car runs different at different altitudes, so here's one way to know what type of gas you should be putting in when you hit the slopes or if you take your rig into the mtns for some wheelin. While I admit, you should be able to know by the seat of your pants if you are going to tip over, if you have ever gotten really close to tipping on your favorite trail, you will have something other than a gut feeling to go by. When you are climbing stuff, its cool to show someone how verticle you were one time and compare it to how the vehicle is sitting at that moment...use it as a point of reference. Finally, I think it just boils down to a question of any option you put in your car. All a car really needs to do is get you from A to B, how it takes you there is up to you. Why do we opt for bigger engines? Why do you want power windows? a radio? carpet? idiot lights? I am not being cynical, but think about it.

> > > >Let's keep the A/C information rolling. I think we can > >all use any bit of help in trying to diagnose A/C > >issues. I am having intermittant cooling problems and > >my mechanic and I are both stumped. > > > >Ahhhh, I got the dash off today thanks to the nice > >mechanics at Rising Sun Japanese Automotive in Austin, > >TX. If anyone lives in Austin, and you are having > >issues with your truck, talk to these guys. They know > >what they are doing. > > > >They let me take a look at the 1989 shop manual from > >Toyota......I was like a kid in a candy store. I think > >I need about a month with the manual and a salvage > >yard and all my problems would be fixed. Does anyone > >know where you can buy one for less than a hundred > >bucks? > > > >Finally, I am now putting in the Altimeter that I > >bought awhile back from the salvage yard. Its from an > >86 or 87 model and I am happy to say that the factory > >wires will plug right in. Just a couple of holes to > >drill and I will be done. > > > >If anyone needs information on installing the > >Altimeter/clinometer or taking off your dash, email > >me. > > I'd like to know how you installed the alt/inclinometer if you have a step/step. I have an 88 and found a stock gauge set from a 86 that fit perfect. I'm using my radar detector to hold it on to the dash =). I thought about getting the right dash cover for it and just using hot glue to hold it down. So far its pretty good. Just doesn't light up. I can email pix if anyone wants. the top is off so you'll get some pretty clear pix.

I think the covers on these things vary from year to year and though mine bolted to the dash perfectly using the pre existing holes that you can see when you flip your dash over, the trim cover looks a bit odd. For the electrical hookup, the one I salvaged had two grey clips and all I had to do was find the same grey clips behind the stereo area and under the dash area, unclip them clip and clip my connectors into them. I did take a gamble by doing this, but that's how it was designed-. Did that make sense? The hardest part for me was getting the dash pad off. The trick is to take the passenger vent out to give you access to one hidden bolt. The other bolt is accessed by taking out the glove box, disconnecting one section of air duct and then you can reach up get the second "hidden" bolt. Everything is working so I can say my install was a success. Email if you have any question... Patrick