Accessory Switch Solutions

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I have to add to this that most of the complaints we have on the Linx system is from an installers point of view. We do tons of electrical installs and even though the functionality of the unit is great for the end user, what people are not going to like is that if they come up with new modules or a way to control different devices, then you have to take the inside of the truck apart again and run new wires. Thus more $'s for every install, which is great for us but not so great for the consumer. Also adding another cost of a relay bank in the engine bay in both material and labor costs is not ideal.

I just think that v2 could be so much better.

We will be doing one in out shop Tacoma and investigate how many of the leads we can pre-run to the engine bay to try an avoid the whole deal of running wires again. 2nd to that, I have always had a dislike for any harness that uses individual spades / connectors to connect each lead to a unit. Just like the 5 wires on the back of the ARB switches. If you ever have to remove the system, you are going to have to label each wire and take notes / photo's to ensure that it gets plugged in correctly. Not sure why the unit was not built with 4 or so Molex type connectors that a harness plugs in, so that there is no confusion when swapping out a unit that the new one is plugged in correctly.

What I do like is the ARB pressure transducers to allow you to air up or down to a specific pressure automatically if installed correctly with the proper plumbing to them.

As for Switch-Pro's app, yes there was some issues early on and there might still be. What is nice is that they listen and have added a ton of functionality in the newest generation and they always listen to input. Also what I do like is that the switch panel is always installed and pretty bomb proof, but you can get the phone app to have more functionality, that I am sure will grow over time.
 
sleeoffroad said:
I have to add to this that most of the complaints we have on the Linx system is from an installers point of view. We do tons of electrical installs and even though the functionality of the unit is great for the end user, what people are not going to like is that if they come up with new modules or a way to control different devices, then you have to take the inside of the truck apart again and run new wires. Thus more $'s for every install, which is great for us but not so great for the consumer. Also adding another cost of a relay bank in the engine bay in both material and labor costs is not ideal.

I just think that v2 could be so much better.

We will be doing one in out shop Tacoma and investigate how many of the leads we can pre-run to the engine bay to try an avoid the whole deal of running wires again. 2nd to that, I have always had a dislike for any harness that uses individual spades / connectors to connect each lead to a unit. Just like the 5 wires on the back of the ARB switches. If you ever have to remove the system, you are going to have to label each wire and take notes / photo's to ensure that it gets plugged in correctly. Not sure why the unit was not built with 4 or so Molex type connectors that a harness plugs in, so that there is no confusion when swapping out a unit that the new one is plugged in correctly.

What I do like is the ARB pressure transducers to allow you to air up or down to a specific pressure automatically if installed correctly with the proper plumbing to them.

As for Switch-Pro's app, yes there was some issues early on and there might still be. What is nice is that they listen and have added a ton of functionality in the newest generation and they always listen to input. Also what I do like is that the switch panel is always installed and pretty bomb proof, but you can get the phone app to have more functionality, that I am sure will grow over time.
Click to expand...

I may wait and make a switch decision based on your research...
 
Thanks Christo! Always great to hear pros/cons from someone that has worked with both systems. Fortunately I won't need to decide on this for quite some time, so hoping that improvements will be coming.
 
JohnJ7 said:
I am currently debating whether or not to install a switch panel solution for the accessories I will be installing. I prefer the factory look and would rather not install a panel and use the existing empty slots in the dash and install Toyota sized switches that I found on ch4x4. However, I do understand the ease in wiring if a panel is installed. I will be needing 6-8 switches tops. I'm curious to see pictures of setups whether it's a panel or existing slots.
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Maybe too late but did you see this? https://www.gear-electric.com.au/product-page/toyota-lc-200-switch-panel
 
Looks like that is made to fit the right-hand-drive LC200 sold in Australia.
 
I contacted them a while back. It is only RH drive models. They don’t make a LH drive version and I couldn’t convince them that it was worth it for USDM...
 
Any more ideas for switch panels in the interior? I'll have to check, but I'm fairly sure I don't have a single blank in my LX. Not interested in phone based solutions or cutting up the interior.
 
eatSleepWoof said:
Any more ideas for switch panels in the interior? I'll have to check, but I'm fairly sure I don't have a single blank in my LX. Not interested in phone based solutions or cutting up the interior.
Click to expand...

There are spots available for small, simple, on/off switches (see below). This is a tiny switch, but there is adequate lateral space and gaps behind this panel to easily add 3-4 switches here. Not difficult to access, either...

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Markuson said:
There are spots available for small, simple, on/off switches (see below). This is a tiny switch, but there is adequate lateral space and gaps behind this panel to easily add 3-4 switches here. Not difficult to access, either...
Click to expand...

I'm really hoping for two things:

1. No permanent modifications (ie. drilling).
2. Being able to use the small Toyoya push switches I already have on hand.

I just ordered that 4-switch panel off Amazon.com. With shipping to Canada it came to $63 CAD. The CH4x4 3-panel would be considerably more expensive, as their cheapest shipping option is $45 USD :(. Fingers crossed the Toyota switches fit as intended into this panel. Item description is a bit vague, but I think it should work; will know in a few weeks.

// edit - cancelled that order. Poked around in the LX a bit and I think I can modify the tilt-out ash-tray in front of the shifter. I can remove the actual ashtray and build a panel in there to accept two or three of the switches I have. And they'll be hidden when the ashtray is closed. Will look into this eventually.
 
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eatSleepWoof said:
I'm really hoping for two things:

1. No permanent modifications (ie. drilling).
2. Being able to use the small Toyoya push switches I already have on hand.

I just ordered that 4-switch panel off Amazon.com. With shipping to Canada it came to $63 CAD. The CH4x4 3-panel would be considerably more expensive, as their cheapest shipping option is $45 USD :(. Fingers crossed the Toyota switches fit as intended into this panel. Item description is a bit vague, but I think it should work; will know in a few weeks.

// edit - cancelled that order. Poked around in the LX a bit and I think I can modify the tilt-out ash-tray in front of the shifter. I can remove the actual ashtray and build a panel in there to accept two or three of the switches I have. And they'll be hidden when the ashtray is closed. Will look into this eventually.
Click to expand...

Ya, I understand the reluctance of most folks to drill.
It's just a single plastic trim piece away from back to stock on that particular piece, though.

Plans like this change when expecting to keep the truck til it falls apart, vs. re-selling.
 
Markuson said:
Ya, I understand the reluctance of most folks to drill.
It's just a single plastic trim piece away from back to stock on that particular piece, though.

Plans like this change when expecting to keep the truck til it falls apart, vs. re-selling.
Click to expand...

Problem is plans change as life goes on, so the current desire to keep the LX for 10 years might not be the case three years from now. And earlier experiences with BMW/Mercedes vehicles included trim pieces in the $300-500 range (at the dealer) & nearly impossible to find second hand, and I've no reason to expect anything different with the LX.

I modified my previous Tacoma quite extensively, including many non-reversible mods, and don't want to do that again so far as I can help it. What I've got in mind will still require trimming/replacing an inner section of the ashtray, but that's a pretty useless feature and completely out of view, so I'm not too worried about it.

I really want to keep this LX as stock as possible, with only minimal, rather essential, and easily removable mods.
 
eatSleepWoof said:
Problem is plans change as life goes on, so the current desire to keep the LX for 10 years might not be the case three years from now. And earlier experiences with BMW/Mercedes vehicles included trim pieces in the $300-500 range (at the dealer) & nearly impossible to find second hand, and I've no reason to expect anything different with the LX.

I modified my previous Tacoma quite extensively, including many non-reversible mods, and don't want to do that again so far as I can help it. What I've got in mind will still require trimming/replacing an inner section of the ashtray, but that's a pretty useless feature and completely out of view, so I'm not too worried about it.

I really want to keep this LX as stock as possible, with only minimal, rather essential, and easily removable mods.
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Totally understood. But If I had to sell my big beast...it would be sold as a big beast. :) Would cost a fortune to return it to stock. :)
This particular piece is $160 to replace, by the way. But anyway...we all make our choices.
 
Markuson said:
Totally understood. But If I had to sell my big beast...it would be sold as a big beast. :) Would cost a fortune to return it to stock. :)
This particular piece is $160 to replace, by the way. But anyway...we all make our choices.
Click to expand...

$160 is not bad at all! Unfortunately on my LX the trim pieces are all different from what's on the LC, and prices (for everything) here have the Great White North Tax applied to them, so what's equivalent to a coffee in the US is frequently a half month's salary by the time it gets here :(.
 
Markuson said:
There are spots available for small, simple, on/off switches (see below). This is a tiny switch, but there is adequate lateral space and gaps behind this panel to easily add 3-4 switches here. Not difficult to access, either...

View attachment 1874751 View attachment 1874753

View attachment 1874752
Click to expand...

Something to note is the LX and LC starting in 16 get leather covered panels, so it wouldn't work well to add those kind of switches there. Unfortunately there aren't a ton of good places to add switches in the LX or 16+ LC.
 
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