Here's an update. My dealer is giving up on fixing the rattle. They did stop the crickets though. They ordered a new console. It's coming from Kentucky. The tech. mentioned that the order sheet for the new center console showed this as a modified product. He doesn't know how but the replacement consoles are different from the original. I don't know when the modified part was used on the production line.

My car was an early one. It's one of the first 3000 of the line. it was in the 2800's. I've had to bring this car back for noises a bunch of times., the brakes needed shimming, rattle in the dash that required two visits. and I had two dealers go into my console 6 times and I went for 4 tests drives with them. I never realized how patient I could be!

They also tell me that Toyota Canada has tech. service bulletin on the console that has been announced. Both dealers tell me I'm their first case. But I did speak to another TCH owner who was in getting an oil change, who agreed with me that his console was a little noisy. He didn't seem too concerned though.