Illuminated 4x4 Dial for '05+ Tacoma (OEM Parts $$$)

[SP Jon M3]

In case anyone wanted to know...

Okay, here it is. I was able to get the parts from the dealer to illuminate the switch. First off you'll need the 4x4 selector dial/switch from a current gen part-time 4WD 4Runner, part number: 84724-35020, $alot! It cost me $90.00 for the switch .. (I know I'm insane ). You will also need 2 "terminal repair" wires, part number: 82998-12420, about $5 each. You'll also need a soldering iron, or butt-connectors and some extra wire. Pull apart the 4Runner switch and take the diffuser and light bulb and place them in the tacoma switch. Then wire it up to to light from the HVAC. Put back together and you have a color matching orange and dimming 4x4 switch. For some more detail check out my site here:

How To: Illuminate Tacoma 4x4 dial ( http://web.mac.com/jbryan/iWeb/My_2005_Tacoma/Taco%204x4%20Switch.html)

My camera stopped working during the wiring to the HVAC controls. But just run some wire to the HVAC controls. Then there is a green and grey (I think, I'm color blind ) wires. They sit above and below each-other. They are next to the clip to remove the harness. And the harness is the one in the middle of the HVAC panel. Just splice those wires and you have power.

[RVM]

Wow that's great. I am going to have to do that!

[TRDX]

Now that looks very nice why didn't they just do that in the first place. Just like the Cabin Air Filter. Good work on finding all these little tricks.
Also I wanted to ask SP Jon M3 for your rear Bilstein 5150's shocks would that work on the rear with just the add a leaf for my 05 tacoma it's a 3" toytec lift. I just want to put a better offroad performance shock and that set up you have looks great for the rear. Thank you for any help.

[RVM]

What cabin air filter?

[05 taco access cab]

Now that looks very nice why didn't they just do that in the first place. Just like the Cabin Air Filter. Good work on finding all these little tricks.
Also I wanted to ask SP Jon M3 for your rear Bilstein 5150's shocks would that work on the rear with just the add a leaf for my 05 tacoma it's a 3" toytec lift. I just want to put a better offroad performance shock and that set up you have looks great for the rear. Thank you for any help.
i'm wanting to do the same thing his setup looks real nice.

[Marc M]

The switch is available online for $63.00.............FWIW...........

Marc

[SP Jon M3]

Pricing updated...

Please contact valkyrie info@trdparts4u.com for ordering, he has a great offer for the parts and shipping. $69.99 for all parts and shipping to TTORA members. :kewl:

Check out:
www.toyotapartsales.com
www.trdparts4u.com

EDIT: I was told on 2/2/06 "Due to supply issues, there may be a short wait for these until Toyota's supply chain catches up with this sudden demand."

[white_eskimo]

did you really pay that much just to illuminate your 4x4 dial??? no offense, but i would rather spend that money on something else that is more useful... cool mod though, its neat to see ideas like that, i just think the money could have been better spent my :2cents:

[JeffB]

[QUOTEi just think the money could have been better spent my :2cents:[/QUOTE]

Like on some stickers that give an extra 5hp! Just kidding :)

I think it's a great mod!

[white_eskimo]

Like on some stickers that give an extra 5hp! Just kidding :)

I think it's a great mod!

i guess point well taken :) to each his own... ;)

[SP Jon M3]

did you really pay that much just to illuminate your 4x4 dial??? no offense, but i would rather spend that money on something else that is more useful... cool mod though, its neat to see ideas like that, i just think the money could have been better spent my :2cents:


Yea I did spend that much... :o

But I was bored and it was more of the challenge (not that it was that much of a challenge) to see if it worked and put it all together. I mean yes it is nice to have a lit 4x4 switch and I would have done it one way or another, but I wanted to see if I can do it with factory toyota parts.

And think of it this way.. some people spend more that $100 for the "Lexus/Altezza" rear lights for their truck. That offers no additional functionality. At least my "mod" is adding some (I know not a whole great deal) functionality. So in that way it was well spent.

[mrbigbri]

Yea I did spend that much...

Dude, you don't have to defend yourself. Your mod kicks ass. 3/4 of the people on this board couldn't do what you did. Toyota makes me mad when they cheap-out on stuff like that though. I mean, how hard would it have been to just make the damn truck that way.

Brian

[awsumdc]

Yea I did spend that much... :o

But I was bored and it was more of the challenge (not that it was that much of a challenge) to see if it worked and put it all together. I mean yes it is nice to have a lit 4x4 switch and I would have done it one way or another, but I wanted to see if I can do it with factory toyota parts.

And think of it this way.. some people spend more that $100 for the "Lexus/Altezza" rear lights for their truck. That offers no additional functionality. At least my "mod" is adding some (I know not a whole great deal) functionality. So in that way it was well spent.
Great mod, and thanks for putting it here. Not too many people here go to Tundra solutions because they really don't cater to this group over here. Glad you started posting here.

[SP Jon M3]

The price has again been updated, see my post above...

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showpost.php?p=298685&postcount=7

[Valkyrie]

Jon, thank you for taking the time to discover a solution to this irritating problem! I appreciate you permitting us to use your write up for those who wish to upgrade their vehicle using your technique.

Furthermore, thanks for noting that we are offering the '05 4x4 illuminating kit at only $69.99 shipped. I appreciate your support of your sponsors and this forum, and I am awarding you a $25 Gift Certificate as our way of showing our gratitude for your development and documentation of this modification for the forum!

Link to kit (http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26496)

[paulv]

Is hooking it into the HVAC difficult? Is that also a friction-installed control panel? And do we just match up like colored wires and splice them in by stripping and taping?

Sorry if the question is obvious.

[SP Jon M3]

Is hooking it into the HVAC difficult? Is that also a friction-installed control panel? And do we just match up like colored wires and splice them in by stripping and taping?

Sorry if the question is obvious.

Nope, it's easy. You just use pins 3 and 8 on the center harness plug to run to the leads from the 4x4 dial. I just soldered the wires to the ones from the plug. I will have pictures posted by this weekend (hopefully tonight).

Yes it's a friction installed, You just have to yank the panel off. I pulled it in the same way I pulled the 4x4 switch.

[SP Jon M3]

Is hooking it into the HVAC difficult? Is that also a friction-installed control panel? And do we just match up like colored wires and splice them in by stripping and taping?

Sorry if the question is obvious.

Here is an updated web site with the pins you need to tap into for power.

How To: Iluminate Tacoma 4x4 dial ( http://web.mac.com/jbryan/iWeb/My_2005_Tacoma/Taco%204x4%20Switch.html)

[drunk 'n monk]

dude that is sweet... i have been pissed off over that switch not having a light ever since i bought the truck... and i made sure that i included that in my customer servey...nice mod

[Valkyrie]

Switches are now on backorder from Japan, we have exhausted the US supply chain. :(

TTORA has made an impact!

[paulv]

Thanks so much for the updated how-to. I'm pretty handy, but I really like instructions when I do electrical. Now I just need a few hours of spare time!

And the parts...

[MonkeyProof]

here's a link to tacomaworld.com to some cat who's making a complete lighted 4x4 switch thats been getting some excellent reviews..

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/68173-rcbs204-4x4-illuminated-switch.html

[TRDGUYKC]

here's a link to tacomaworld.com to some cat who's making a complete lighted 4x4 switch thats been getting some excellent reviews..

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/68173-rcbs204-4x4-illuminated-switch.html

I can attest to the quality of the board and LED's. I installed it last week. EASY install.... and works great.

[NESW20]

nice work! i agree it looks nice lit up, but i won't be doing this. i know where the switch is, and i know what position it's in at all times, so i would derive no added benefit from it.

still nice though! :) i definitely wouldn't complain if it were lit up from the factory...

-Mike