Mod for 2-lo on late model 2nd gen?

Hi all,

I've read plenty about this mod for earlier trucks but curious if anyone has worked anything out for later models (I have a 13).

The usefulness here for me would be primarily when I'm moving my trailer. My driveway is a fairly steep up-hill and about a dozen or so times a year I back a fairly long 2k lb trailer into. The 2.7 doesn't complain much but I know for sure it's hard on the clutch, not to mention super awkward to modulate the clutch with my neck craned back to watch the trailer. If I could be in low range and have to do less manipulation on the clutch this would be easier on me and the truck.

Back to the mod. In theory, if I can bypass the ADD but still engage 4lo in the tcase this should work. The front driveshaft would be locked but with the diff disconnected there shouldn't be any binding issues.

Sounds easy, but as with all things electronic maybe not so. Has anyone attempted this? What did you mod in the harness? Disconnect switch? Would the computer freak out? Any risks?

Most mods for older trucks I've seen involve an FJ case making this immediately not worth it for me.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/361334/cat/500

 

I did this mod on my 2010. I used power from the 4x4 control module. I also used a lighted switch so I don't forget to turn it back to "off" when. I use it about 2 times a week backing up my steep driveway. Works great.

 

Awesome - thank you. Exactly what I was looking for.

 

If you can wait a couple months, there's a plug and play 2 low mod in the final stages of testing. No cutting or splicing whatsoever.

 

Really? Where?

I'd be interested. My wiring modifications don't usually look great, so plug and play would be awesome.

 

Would like more info as well. Who is developing it? I'm certainly in no rush, will not be using my trailer until the spring.

 

It's not for sale yet, so there's no thread. I've been pretty low key on spreading the word because I'm not the one making them. I'm just the guy who harassed the creator enough to get him to take a serious look at the project. It's been about a year in the making. He's an absolute perfectionist. I have his heated mirror kit and the quality of the kit as well as his excellent install how-to made me feel that he's the guy to do this right.

He sourced the correct connectors so it will plug directly into our existing wiring, and designed the board that makes the magic happen. The real delay has been the manufacturer he's working with. He's used them before (they're top notch) but the design phase has taken longer than he hoped. He has a prototype in hand and is testing it to make sure it's ready to go into the manufacturing phase.

My wiring work also always looks like shit, and I didn't want to splice into anything as important as what's required for this mod. I've been smoking my clutch for the last year in anticipation of this mod. It is going to be worth the wait.

 

A member here is developing it, same guy who was building the heated mirror kits. Based on how he does the mirror systems, I'm going to say it will be worth the wait.

 

Looks like I was a bit slow on that one.

 

I didn't want to directly name him, so that he doesn't get a box full of PMs until he's ready

 

Cool, a kit would be nice.

 

Sounds good, looking forward to seeing he end product.

 

Cool! I got his very first "prototype" heated mirror harness. He sold it to me at a discount because he said it wasn't perfected, but the quality and effort he put in was still fantastic.

 

Good call, I edited that post to remove his user name, hopefully before his inbox gets swamped.

 

Did the plug and play kit ever come to fruition? Spring is here, my trailer almost ready, any my driveway is still as steep as last year.

My primary motivation is to save the clutch from the abuse when backing the loaded trailer up the hill. I'm good with wiring but liked the ease of plug and play. Might tackle on my own, time pending.

 

Plug and play

 

Not yet. I actually just received the prototype on Friday. There are a couple of minor hardware changes needed and the software also needs a little tweaking. It's being worked on but because I am also relying on a separate company for part of the development things have been moving at a considerably slower pace than I am used to working.

My best guess is I should probably have a limited number available in about 30-45 days and ready for full out sales in around 60. But again some parts of this project I am at the mercy of a separate company for progress.

It will definitely be a nice kit, 100% plug and play (no wires tapped, cut etc) and install will be a matter of minutes start to finish. It's designed so that 2lo can be activated from an added switch which is how some of the current mods do it. If you don't have room for extra switches or prefer a more stealth / stock look you can also activate 2lo with your existing 4wd switch by holding the switch between 2hi and 4hi for 2 seconds. It will have visible dash light confirmation when the truck is in 2lo or if you have failed to initiate 2lo etc so you aren't left guessing what state the truck is in at any given moment.

That said if you are going to be needing it sooner and are comfortable with wiring then doing the mod yourself may be the better option. Unfortunately I just don't have a rock solid date yet for availability.