DTRL toggle switch mod (stealth mode)

Welcome to Crom's guide of modifying your Day Time Running Lights (DTRL).

This 2nd gen mod allows the owner to selectively control when the factory can operate. It does not interfere with any other system. This is my first mod contribution to the TW community. Please enjoy.

Parts needed for this mod:

1. Switch
2. 2 x Butt Splices
3. Connector ( I used a 3-pole Molex connector from an old computer case fan)
4. Drill and drill bit to make a hole for your switch.
5. Crimp/wire stripper tool
6. Needle-nose pliers
7. Lighting
8. Time
9. Patience

The hardest part of this mod (if you choose not to remove the lower dash) is transforming yourself into a human pretzel to get the job done. It does require patience but can be done in about 1 hour if you can work uninterrupted.

Step #1 Prepare your switch

1. Solder a connector to the switch, use heat shrink.
2. Use a connector, if you must remove the dash in the future you will need to disconnect the switch. My connector is a 3-pole molex adapter connector from an old computer case.

Step #2 Prepare your workspace under the driver side dash.

1. Push your seat all the way back.
2. Clear away all obstacles and clean or remove the floor mats.
3. Prepare your light source.
4. Invert your body.

NOTE: ALTERNATE METHOD TO STEP #2 FROM BRADLEYJ

Step #3 Move stuff out of the way.

1. Remove the hood release lever, study the design, it has some white plastic tabs that need depressing, then it slides back towards the engine. Take your time with it. It will come loose. Tuck it out of the way.
2. Move the ODB diagnostic port out of the way. Push the white plastic tab and it should pop out.

Step #4 Find wire harness "1M"

1. Find the "1M" harness. It is behind the junction block on the driver side.
2. The harness is on the backside of the junction/fuse block. The backside of the junction block is the Body ECU.

Step #5 Splice into DTRL wire

1. Wire Harness "1M" only has 3 wires so it should be easy to spot. These three wires go to/from the Body ECU to the signal flasher.
2. Push the 1M harness plug out. I used some needle-nose pliers to push with. It popped out without any real resistance.
3. Cut the Green/Red tracer wire. Leave enough room to strip a bit of insulation off.
4. Install your butt splice on each end of the DTRL wire.

Step #6 Test your switch.

1. Connect the switch connector and test your switch. Make sure it works.
2. Remember, that the switch must be "ON" in order for the DTRL to work. If the switch is "OFF" the DTRL will not operate (Stealth Mode--Yeah baby!)

Step #7 Install switch.

1. Make a hole in your dash and install your switch.

Step #8 Put stuff back

1. Put ODB port back into place.
2. Reinstall the hood release lever.

Step #9

1. Enjoy!

REFERENCE MATERIAL

• MY Reference electrical diagram
• EDIT(5-20-10): I found a similar thread by 007Tacoma
  • He took out the harness and he has some good pics!!!

 

Finnally. A DTRL switch mod guide thats for dummies. TY, I needed this.

 

Finally! Someone found this out! Thank you Crom!!!

One question though, what is actually going on in this picture below? I know splicing and such is going on, but what is actually being connected to the green/red DTRL wire?

Also, does this have any effect on the blinkers?

 

You're welcome.

Chad,

Perhaps that picture is not the greatest. In the picture, my connector is only 50% connected. I still needed to connect the other side of the green/red wire via butt splice to the black wire. Once its completed it will look identical to picture in step 6.

 

Ohh ok. So what you're saying is you cut the green/red DTRL wire, and connect one side to the red wire from the connector, and the other side to the black wire from the connector? So what you did is like what I've demonstrated in the attached image?

Also, is soldering really necessary? And where did you get the switch from?

 

Chad, That is precisely what I did!

Soldering makes for the best connection for the switch to the switch connector, but you can use whatever method you prefer. The switch was from radio shack, the very first image shows the name, type, and part number. I am very happy with it.

 

Just to make sure I'm correct, you soldered the one side of the connector to the switch right? So in essence, I could just electric tape it and heat shrink it so it will stay put? I have no idea how to use a solderer and have no access to one either.

PS. sorry to ask all these questions, just making sure I understand it

 

Yes. I had to build this:

I suppose so.

Soldering is easy and for ~$10 you can buy a soldering iron and solder at walmart. Watch a youtube video on how to solder and your all set.

No prob. I'm glad to help. This is what TW is all about.

 

thanks for info man, very cool

 

what exactly does this do????

 

This 2nd gen mod allows the owner to selectively control when the factory Day Time Running Lights (DTRL) can operate. You get to decide if they're on or off, not Toyota.

From the factory DTRL work like this:

• Low beams off, + parking brake off = DTRL (ON CONSTANTLY, with no control to turn off)

• Low beams on = DTRL off.

The switch I built, which has been spliced into the DTRL signal wire interrupts the signal sent by the Body ECU to the signal flasher, which in turn gives control to the truck operator.

The whole point of this mod is so that I can park my truck and leave the engine idling and turn off ALL my lights.

 

thats a very nice addition. i will definitely be doing this

 

so if i just cut the wire, will it kill me front blinkers? or just dtrl?

 

Glad you like it.

Your blinkers will work fine if you cut it. It ONLY affect DTRL, It does not interfere with any other system.

 

So in essence you could cut it and it'll never come back on right? The switch only gives you the ability to turn it on and off correct?

 

Yes. If you go that route make sure you tape the end coming from the 1M connector to avoid any short circuit conditions.

 

nice, i will just be cutting it most likely, maybe in the future ill put a switch.

thanks alot man

 

Glad to help.

 

Since my truck doesn't have the DTRL stock... I was thinking of doing the DTRL mod here on TW. Will I still be able to do this DTRL switch mod as well? Or is that only for the people with the stock DTRL?

 

I'd rather not speculate one way or the other since I know nothing about the mod you're referring to. However I'm sure there is way and it can't be too difficult, we just need good technical information to make informed decisions.