Feeler: 4Runner Interior Tailgate Window Switch and Conversion Harness

[NorCalBorn]

1990-1993 4Runner Interior Tailgate Window Switch and Conversion Harness

Why do this?? Read Me... It's an improvement on this idea using factory parts and a cleaner placement and appearance.

**If anyone's interested in one of these I'm putting a list together once a price is decided on. *The parts/supplies* go for roughly $30 plus my labor and shipping fees, what would people pay? $55 too low/high? ($30..Switch ~$15 Plugs~$10 Wires-n-Solder~$5)

*Parts* 1990-1993 is one type, 1994-1995 is a different type, so price may fluctuate. (Of Connector at the lock.) I would need to know for sure which connector your lock switch has first in order to do the piece.
**Bear in mind a ORS harness is roughly 6 wires worth and those were going for $200 IIRC, so I need a sale price range here.

Any other types of goodie harnesses people would like to see(?) aside from an engine conversion harness, I am not ready to go out and step on toes yet.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I like the idea. (In fact I have gathered all the pieces to do just this.. ) Is that pictured harness just long enough to be mounted in the tail gate? I think a gate mounted switch might turn some people off because of possible damage while using the truck for other things... I know that the tail gate is the easiest place to do a complete plug-in mod like this though.. My plan was to cut into the harness on the drivers side and put my switch near the stock light over the wheel well..... Out of the way of damage by whatever crazy thing I use my truck for in the future....

So the short answer is yes, I think people will be interested, but you better plan on doing them for the 84-89, the 90-93 and 94-95.... You don't want to leave anyone out! $55 seems reasonable for the whole thing I'd say.

Other goody harness: I've already done this one, but you should make a short extension to the plug from the rear window harness into the rear window relay control box that jumps the power to the keyed power spot so the front switch works when the truck is off. Very useful!!!!!

 

[NorCalBorn]

You'd be putting one in like Corax has, in the side panel then, and that's fine for the first and 2nd gens, for the side panel only. On the 2nd gens the light is overhead and centered, where I initially wanted to try and fit it, but the wiper motor and linkage interfere and could cause wires to be cut and shorted out.

FWIW..as I said in another forum, it's live all the time as it's spliced in with the lock harness and the instructions I'm planning are to place it just to the passenger side of the handle, inset in the carpet and held by the mdf board. (Cutout the carpet, then cutout the board, and a little bigger cutout of the impact plate so the switch is recessed and protected from accidental use.)

Unless you go around beating up on it with gear it shoud be OK, and I can also make the adapter for placing on the side panel just as easily, the only issue there is the material needed to properly secure the switch is not there and you need to shim stack it.

There's enough wire there to plug it together, and using 5 zipties and the factory holes and options, it's all secured and safe.

As for the front switch bypass, I have that also, and I've even figured out how to get really pimp about it and using a Clifford or Viper alarm system making it work with the remote fob.
**If you had a second gen you'd know you can operate your windows for a limited time after shutting off your vehicle, as long as you do not open any of the doors.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

As for the front switch bypass, I have that also, and I've even figured out how to get really pimp about it and using a Clifford or Viper alarm system making it work with the remote fob.
**If you had a second gen you'd know you can operate your windows for a limited time after shutting off your vehicle, as long as you do not open any of the doors.

The fob mod is cool, my wife's '01 has that option, but as you don't have to roll the window down to open the hatch, we never use it... I'd be stoked for that mod on my 4Runner though!

**Don't you think you're just special! Hehehe Even with my full time powered front switch crawling out of the back to reach it while sleeping in back is a pain... Thus why great minds think alike on the rear inside switch mod.

Yes, mine's going on the side, because I take the top off so the fewer wires I'm trying to hook up/unhook the better... Although an over head light has seemed like a nice mod...

 

["N8"]

pretty cool if i had a runner I would definitely buy one of those. But I cant think of many applications for my longbed =P

 

[WristPin]

good idea i suppose.
me personally i build all the wire junk in my truck. so theres no way i'd pay a guy to make somethin for me.

but for convenience, and lack of knowledge that some people may have in this department, seems like a good thing.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I think it's a great idea if you spend any time in the rear of your 4Runner (which I don't). I think it's a great price for what you are providing and I applaud your willingness to sell them for that as that seems like a "labor of love" price to me!

I'm sure there are plenty of people that would want one. As Jerod suggested, you need to make sure that you make one compatible with the Gen1 crowd as well.

Without putting too much thought into it, I would probably put the switch in the rear wiper motor cover (in my 85 4Runner). There's plenty of room inside, it's up high which keeps it out of the way of cargo, and it's easy to access from inside. It's also not difficult to run wire up there but you will need a longer run that what is shown in your prototype.

 

[NorCalBorn]

2 problems with the suggestions are the availability of those parts for the 1st gens, and of course, the willingness of someone to let me tear into their vehicle.

Now as for the front switch bypass, well, making the rear window into a hot switch is one thing, but by making the front controller hot you also enable all the door windows hot, and that defeats the window lock switch, which, if you have kids, is a valuable safety control, thus why I figured out the car alarm fob method, so the driver is the only one in control of that set of options. Any car alarm, for example the ones with that and remote start can be integrated. We just didn't hook up the remote start since the beta test vehicle had a clutch.

Now, if someone wants to volunteer their 1st gen for me that's in the S.F. Bay Area, I'm game. Just pay for the kit or parts.