How to: Swapping 2012-2015 AC Controls into 2005-2011 Tacoma

For anyone who has added a newer Tacoma touch screen head unit or changed out the amber color dash lights you have probably wondered how you could upgrade your older heater controls to the newer more refined ones found in the 2012-2015.

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Just a quick disclaimer, I was not planing to do a write up on this but something interesting happen when I attempted this swap so the pictures are limited but I'll try to make up for it with some good descriptions. Also I don't have a lot of millage with this mod (Like I literally just finished testing it in my driveway) so who knows what the long term effect might be. With that said DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS BECAUSE IT COULD REALLY SCREW UP YOUR TRUCK, maybe... I don't know, but here's what I did:

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1) Get the right connector - Most people who have thought about this mod already know the connectors are different. Well one of the two connectors is different but the best part is all the wire colors are the same or at least the donor controller I got that came with the connector were!

Where to get the:
Connector Housing - Here or Here
Female Contact Reciprocals - Here or Here (Hint buy extras)

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2) You would think that was all it took - After I fixed the connector I plugged everything in. At first I was pretty happy. Everything seemed to work just as it was supposed to. It was hot out side so I was especially happy that the AC was blowing cold. Then I realized the temperature setting was set to max heat! I turned it to Max Cool and it started blowing hot! Damn, I can't live with that.

So I did the only logical thing I could think of, I took my old controller and the new controller apart. Now I can read a basic wiring diagram and everything looked pretty similar from a 10,000 ft level. So I did the next logical thing... I swapped the two rheostats... and much to my surprise it worked! Cold was cold, hot was hot, and snozberries taste like snozberries.

3) So real quick here is what I did - (Just a note both units are assembled pretty much the same way just take your time and try not to get too much of a buzz on from your beer.

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This one got me for a minute, I couldn't figure out why it wasn't coming apart after removing all the screws and pulling the three knobs off.

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To get to that little guy you need to remove the fan control connector socket. Gently pry back the tabs but be very VERY careful because there are some springs and a little red ball that acts as a detent for the switch.

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Remove the screw and replace the connector socket you just removed before those spring loaded parts go flying. Gently start pulling the tabs apart until you have separate the controller housing. If you still haven't removed the three knobs, now would be a good time. Pretty much repeat these steps for the other controller. When you are done you should have both circuit boards in front of you. Start heating up your soldering iron and check out the solder points on the rheostat for the temp control.

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The trick to removing the solder is to heat it up really good then quickly give the circuit board a gentle tap on your work bench. Do this enough times at each solder joint and you won't have a problem removing it.

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Just for reference here is a picture of the one I removed from the older controller. Damn, that circuit board looks primitive!

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Now put everything back together and don't forget about that hidden screw under the connector socket... or do forget it, its not like it will come apart without it.

If anyone smarter than I sees some major issue with swamping the rheostat please let me know. As far as I can tell I only reversed the range of resistance. I will definitely update if I come across any long term issues.

 

Been a few days now and I couldn't be happier with the outcome of this swap. If you can get a good deal from a salvage yard or your lucky enough to find one on ebay I highly recommend this to anyone who want to update their truck. Here are some pictures of it in the dark. It's nice to finally have matching controls, just need to do something about that silver hazard switch now.

 

Good deal, that looks easy enough. I have already did my gauges, the 2015 Nav and clock, and just needed this info to complete the swap! Thanks!

 

Nice, did you end up buying a new clock or did you mod your existing one? That's the last thing I need to finish off my dash.

 

I found the newer LED clock on ebay for $25

 

Wow that was a steal!

 

awesome job and write up OP. That's a mod I was looking into doing hopefully in the near future.

 

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What's different with the 2012-2015 controls? They look like the same 3 dials are in my truck. Just wondering why you'd go to the trouble of doing this is all.

 

You mean uncrimp the recepticals and recrimp them? They're kind of a one time thing and the tabs start to break when you open them up. I could have ordered new ones but it was just as easy to solder and heat shrink.

The 2012-2015 controls use white LEDs and they are black so they match the newer receiver I installed.

 

yeah those ac controls were a nightmare, and those molex pins are nightmarish to deal with. I ended up chopping the wire harness and direct soldering the new connector onto it as well. fyi the 09-11 tacos don't have the reverse hot/cold issue. had mine for over a year now and no issues.

 

Interesting, and you could find one in all black for those years? I just checked out your build thread. I have the newer style steering wheel on order right now. I just need to get the air bag and I should be good to go. Pretty cool upgrades you've done there, at what point can you say you have a 2015 Tacoma? I've thought about doing the front swap too but I think I'll hold off for a bit. If I end up keeping the truck long enough, I might put it through a complete restoration just in time for my boy to inherit it.

 

no, my controls are from a 12 or 13.

your gonna like that new wheel. those airbags are the pricy bit.

tanks! you know, I was just going to upgrade the stereo, then before I knew it I had front end parts sitting in my den. went a little overboard, I blame tw, place is a bad influence lol.

I think if you've swapped the front end and some key interior pieces then you outta be able to call it a 15. I went all in and became an offroad poser too.

I wouldn't do the front end unless your keeping it forever.

 

Super stoked on this write up!
It's going down this weekend for sure, thanks for the details!

 

I did this mod today
Used another method for the hot cold fix
Works great!
Hardest part was asembling all the wire on the new plug. Those little pins can be a real prick.
Interior update finally complete on my 2007

 

Nice I like you way better, it's probably worth noting that you scratched out the original contact between the rheostat pins just so someone not looking closely doesn't try and simply solder the wires.

 

Yes important to note

 

I'm trying to understand your post. Does this harness allow you to swap the controls without using new wires and pins? What is there to crimp/solder?

 

Nope, you still have to crimp or solder new terminals to the end of the wires going into the A/C control. It's to not cut the vehicle harness. Think aftermarket radio harness to vehicle OEM harness. Do the work on work bench instead of in cab too.