adding 2nd gear start button

[BlueRockEU]

My 2016 Land Cruiser 150 VX doesn’t have a 2nd gear start button.

Instead, Toyota relegated this functionality to a computer menu entry, accessible only via a button sequence on the steering wheel.

This is rather annoying, as it’s a useful feature for off-roading. The system frequently disables this mode automatically when fiddling with other buttons, making it awkward to re-enable while simultaneously driving.

I want to install a 2nd start button in the same place where it would normally be.

Checking the wiring diagram on ToyotaTech suggests that the wiring loom might be present. At the very least, the connection pins should be available.

But I don’t know if there might be other issues. For example, I don’t know if the ECM firmware might need to be changed or re-configured.

I’ve ordered the physical button (84721-60021) from my local dealership, but it has a one-month lead time. So, it will be a while before I get around to this modification. Amayama and MegaZip show the part as out of stock.

Has anyone tried doing this modification on their Toyota / Lexus?

BlueRockEU

 

[MeefZah]

Could you explain why the 2nd gear start is useful, please? In my experience offroad and in snow I find it absolutely useless, since you can just just modulate the throttle to control wheelspin when starting from a stop; but I am willing to admit I don't know everything. It must be amazing tech for you to expend this much effort into building a physical button!

 

[BlueRockEU]

Could you explain why the 2nd gear start is useful, please?

In low range, first gear is generally too low for most driving situations. On a manual transmission, that’s not a problem, since you just engage second (or third) gear, as required.

On an automatic transmission, however, this doesn’t quite work the same. Putting the automatic gearshift into ‘2’ will not automatically engage second gear: From a stop, it will initially engage first gear and then switch to second gear only once the vehicle is moving fast enough. Likewise, in ‘3’ mode, it will follow a 1-2-3 sequence.

This is problematic in offroad situations, as you frequently need to come to a stop (or near stop) as you move around obstacles, and being stuck in first gear (albeit briefly) and then having to endure the automatic upshift to second gear, over and over again, is annoying.

That’s where the “2nd start” button comes to the rescue. It ensures that the ‘2’ position actually means second gear only. In this mode, you can freely shift between first and second gear, just like on a manual transmission (albeit, without the hassle or benefit of a clutch).

Thus, when “2nd start” is engaged, you can keep the shift leaver in ‘2’ (or higher) most of the time, thereby staying in the higher gear. And when you do actually need to engage first gear (e.g., for rock crawling, moving around tight obstacles, or going up a steep hill slowly), you can easily downshift to first gear. And then quickly upshift to second gear, immediately after getting past the obstacle—or just the difficult part of the obstacle.

In those uphill offroad situations where you want to maintain speed and momentum, the “2nd gear” start with shift position ‘2’ will ensure you don’t accidentally shift gears during the climb.

There is still an annoying automatic shift between second and third gear, but that’s not as bad (and can be avoided by keeping the shift lever in position ‘2’, as in the hill climb). That said, by the time you are in third or fourth gear (low range), you might as well shift back up to high range.

There is also some value in using the “2nd start” button in high range, during offroading, just to maintain that manual shift capability between first and second. Given the lower gearing of the 6-speed transmission, I suspect I’ll be using this button more often also in high range on my 150 series than I previously did on my 90 series (which had only a 4-speed automatic). I also suspect I’ll be using low range less often. I’ll need to experiment to figure out the best gearing to use in different situations.

Finally, there are situations involving ice, where it is difficult to start in first gear without wheelspin. I’ve encountered such situations on a few rare occasions, where the button has indeed come in handy.

Toyota does seem to recognize the importance of having a separate “2nd start” button. They made it more prominent and accessible in later models.

It must be amazing tech for you to expend this much effort into building a physical button!

Well, I have a background in electronics, so it is quite straightforward for me to look at wiring diagrams. And I’ve installed extra buttons on numerous occasions in the past (e.g., for offroad lighting, air compressors, towing accessories).

BlueRockEU

 

[MeefZah]

In low range, first gear is generally too low for most driving situations. On a manual transmission, that’s not a problem, since you just engage second (or third) gear, as required.

On an automatic transmission, however, this doesn’t quite work the same. Putting the automatic gearshift into ‘2’ will not automatically engage second gear: From a stop, it will initially engage first gear and then switch to second gear only once the vehicle is moving fast enough. Likewise, in ‘3’ mode, it will follow a 1-2-3 sequence.

This is problematic in offroad situations, as you frequently need to come to a stop (or near stop) as you move around obstacles, and being stuck in first gear (albeit briefly) and then having to endure the automatic upshift to second gear, over and over again, is annoying.

That’s where the “2nd start” button comes to the rescue. It ensures that the ‘2’ position actually means second gear only. In this mode, you can freely shift between first and second gear, just like on a manual transmission (albeit, without the hassle or benefit of a clutch).

Thus, when “2nd start” is engaged, you can keep the shift leaver in ‘2’ (or higher) most of the time, thereby staying in the higher gear. And when you do actually need to engage first gear (e.g., for rock crawling, moving around tight obstacles, or going up a steep hill slowly), you can easily downshift to first gear. And then quickly upshift to second gear, immediately after getting past the obstacle—or just the difficult part of the obstacle.

In those uphill offroad situations where you want to maintain speed and momentum, the “2nd gear” start with shift position ‘2’ will ensure you don’t accidentally shift gears during the climb.

There is still an annoying automatic shift between second and third gear, but that’s not as bad (and can be avoided by keeping the shift lever in position ‘2’, as in the hill climb). That said, by the time you are in third or fourth gear (low range), you might as well shift back up to high range.

There is also some value in using the “2nd start” button in high range, during offroading, just to maintain that manual shift capability between first and second. Given the lower gearing of the 6-speed transmission, I suspect I’ll be using this button more often also in high range on my 150 series than I previously did on my 90 series (which had only a 4-speed automatic). I also suspect I’ll be using low range less often. I’ll need to experiment to figure out the best gearing to use in different situations.

Finally, there are situations involving ice, where it is difficult to start in first gear without wheelspin. I’ve encountered such situations on a few rare occasions, where the button has indeed come in handy.

Toyota does seem to recognize the importance of having a separate “2nd start” button. They made it more prominent and accessible in later models.


Well, I have a background in electronics, so it is quite straightforward for me to look at wiring diagrams. And I’ve installed extra buttons on numerous occasions in the past (e.g., for offroad lighting, air compressors, towing accessories).

BlueRockEU

Ah that's actually very useful info. I did not fully understand the intent because in my style of usage I have never really felt it was needed or beneficial, but your explanation clears it up brilliantly!

 

[Cold Iron]

I don't use the 2nd start much if at all even living in the frozen Tundra. Doesn't mean I shouldn't LOL.

Last weekend this guy came out with a video about it. He does like to hear himself talk but I do agree with a lot of what he says. What he is describing starting out on ice is called the Duck walk around here.

 

[Jstawgn]

I am a big fan of 2nd start button. In slippery east coast trails, it gives much better traction instead of spinning the tires with no traction. This button are not available on 4Runner and FJ Cruiser. Not sure about the 6th Gen 4runner and 4th Gen Tacoma too.

 

[r2m]

In low range, first gear is generally too low for most driving situations. On a manual transmission, that’s not a problem, since you just engage second (or third) gear, as required.

On an automatic transmission, however, this doesn’t quite work the same. Putting the automatic gearshift into ‘2’ will not automatically engage second gear: From a stop, it will initially engage first gear and then switch to second gear only once the vehicle is moving fast enough. Likewise, in ‘3’ mode, it will follow a 1-2-3 sequence.

This is problematic in offroad situations, as you frequently need to come to a stop (or near stop) as you move around obstacles, and being stuck in first gear (albeit briefly) and then having to endure the automatic upshift to second gear, over and over again, is annoying.

That’s where the “2nd start” button comes to the rescue. It ensures that the ‘2’ position actually means second gear only. In this mode, you can freely shift between first and second gear, just like on a manual transmission (albeit, without the hassle or benefit of a clutch).

Thus, when “2nd start” is engaged, you can keep the shift leaver in ‘2’ (or higher) most of the time, thereby staying in the higher gear. And when you do actually need to engage first gear (e.g., for rock crawling, moving around tight obstacles, or going up a steep hill slowly), you can easily downshift to first gear. And then quickly upshift to second gear, immediately after getting past the obstacle—or just the difficult part of the obstacle.

In those uphill offroad situations where you want to maintain speed and momentum, the “2nd gear” start with shift position ‘2’ will ensure you don’t accidentally shift gears during the climb.

There is still an annoying automatic shift between second and third gear, but that’s not as bad (and can be avoided by keeping the shift lever in position ‘2’, as in the hill climb). That said, by the time you are in third or fourth gear (low range), you might as well shift back up to high range.

There is also some value in using the “2nd start” button in high range, during offroading, just to maintain that manual shift capability between first and second. Given the lower gearing of the 6-speed transmission, I suspect I’ll be using this button more often also in high range on my 150 series than I previously did on my 90 series (which had only a 4-speed automatic). I also suspect I’ll be using low range less often. I’ll need to experiment to figure out the best gearing to use in different situations.

Finally, there are situations involving ice, where it is difficult to start in first gear without wheelspin. I’ve encountered such situations on a few rare occasions, where the button has indeed come in handy.

Toyota does seem to recognize the importance of having a separate “2nd start” button. They made it more prominent and accessible in later models.


Well, I have a background in electronics, so it is quite straightforward for me to look at wiring diagrams. And I’ve installed extra buttons on numerous occasions in the past (e.g., for offroad lighting, air compressors, towing accessories).

BlueRockEU

Something I've never considered in all my years of off roading with Landcruiser that had a 2nd gear start button.