making instrument cluster lights on '03 hilux adjustable

[JAMES399]

I have an '03 Hilux 4x4 HI-RIDER. The instrument cluster is exactly the same as on my '98 Tacoma. The only difference is that the dash lights on the Taco had adjustable brightness, while those on the Hilux do not. The lights on my 'Lux are too dim, in my opinion. I want to add a rheostat to be able to adjust the lights on my Hilux. But after looking at the schematics for both trucks, I can't see how they made the lights on my Hilux fixed brightness, yet dimmer than those on the Tacoma.
There's a opening on the Hilux dash for the rheostat, but it has a plastic plug in it.

Anyone tell me how to make the brightness of my Lux's dash lights adjustable ?? Thanks.

- JAMES

[JAMES399]

EDIT: I looked through the factory service manual for my Hilux again, and found that the rheostat is shown in the schematic. The plug for the rheostat is listed as "R5," but it's location is not shown in the wiring diagram . . . ANYWHERE. I'm assuming that they subbed a fixed resistor for the rheostat and it's in the loom somewhere. Maybe in the instrument cluster itself. Taking the cluster out of my truck is a headache +, so I'm going to remove the lower dash panels tomorrow and look for a plug with (maybe) a resistor plugged into it. Should be somewhere around the hole in the lower dash for the rheostat if it's there at all. if not, I'm gonna forget it and live with the dim lights until I have another reason to remove the cluster. In any case, wish me luck.

- JAMES

[Family_Dog]

If you take the cluster out, measure the voltage across the cluster lights. If this measures less than 12v you should be able to sort something out but if it is indeed 12, then you need to put higher-wattage bulbs in the cluster.


-F_D

[JAMES399]

Thanks, DOG -

If I recall, when I got the truck several dash lights didn't work, and I replaced them with some I had laying around. Pretty sure what was in there were standard bulbs. My 4WD light is out, and I need to replace it, so I'll check the dash light voltage then.

- JAMES