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Adding steering wheel audio controls for $50

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by trdracing5, Feb 1, 2020.

  1. Feb 1, 2020 at 6:05 PM
    #1
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    One of the features that I really wanted to have in my Tacoma was steering wheel audio controls. The radio is so far away that it seems to me that its unsafe to turn the volume up or change the station while driving. I thought a remote control would work but then you have to reach for the remote and try to feel for the tiny buttons on the remote. Not the perfect solution.

    I decided to do some research and came across a kit on Amazon that seemed to get good reviews so I investigated further and decided to order it. After a little bit of work and some help from others that had installed this unit in various other vehicles, I got it to work.

    So far I am pleased. If anyone is interested I can provide more information on how to complete the install.

    steering wheel.jpg

    You will need:

    1. an aftermarket radio with a steering wheel output (usually a 3.5mm plug on the rear of the radio or a blue/yellow wire in the case of the Kenwood DDX374bt unit I used).

    2. Pac SWI-RC Steering Wheel Interface ($25)

    [​IMG]


    Order here: https://www.amazon.com/PAC-SWI-RC-Steering-Control-Interface/dp/B004HKBY8G?

    3. Steering Wheel Audio Controller from Amazon ($29)
    Order here:
    https://www.amazon.com/ALLOMN-Universal-Controller-Bluetooth-Navigation/dp/B06Y5YQZ7N?

    [​IMG]

    1EBF5B40-0F9A-4831-A39E-9CBB79952432.jpg

    PAC connected to SWI unit.

    E4E717BF-085E-4C08-8948-08DB91EB2FC3.jpg

    This is one of the best mods I have done to the tacoma plus it increases safety as I don't need to take my eyes off the road to change the radio station or volume.
    Plus by adding a new stereo I actually have a clock that I can read!!!!
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
    cruiserguy, tacoma_ca and mechanicjon like this.
  2. Feb 1, 2020 at 6:34 PM
    #2
    mechanicjon

    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    Supercharged, AEM FIC/6, Meth Inj, ION Alloy's, Radio & Phone steering Wheel controls,Fabtech AAL, Billie's wrapped with 880's , Tundra big brake conversion, bully bars and Pioneer DDin Stereo/dvd with exterrnal usb ports. 290K and going strong.
  3. Feb 2, 2020 at 7:02 AM
    #3
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  4. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #4
    omarq

    omarq Well-Known Member

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    If you have a pioneer or sony head unit.. You can use an sony rmx4s by itself. It mounts to steering column.
     
  5. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:14 AM
    #5
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good suggestion but they quit making the rmx4s years ago.
    Plus you have the wire going from the rmx4s to the head unit to try and conceal
    and you are limited to head units that have the plug and not ones that have a wire as input for the remote.
    I don't think that really counts as a steering wheel remote. Can't see this being mounted to the steering wheel.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2020
  6. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #6
    tony2018

    tony2018 Well-Known Member

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    Eh, oem all the way for me. The wireless controller though is pretty neat and I now remember thinking about that same one a long time ago.
     
    crazytacoman likes this.
  7. Feb 2, 2020 at 8:38 AM
    #7
    omarq

    omarq Well-Known Member

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    I have a rmx2s I'm using..it's mounted to the steering column on the left side. Those things show up on eBay from time to time.
     
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  8. Feb 2, 2020 at 6:26 PM
    #8
    COMAtized99

    COMAtized99 Well-Known Member

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    I adapted a 01 Sienna steering wheel control to my Tacoma. Picked all the parts up at the local junk yard
     
    Hamer95USA and BeLance89 like this.
  9. Feb 2, 2020 at 6:59 PM
    #9
    970btu

    970btu Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for this.
     
  10. Feb 7, 2020 at 5:05 AM
    #10
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Before I forget, when programming the PAC SWI-RC the vehicle version number will be 9.
     
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  11. Apr 29, 2020 at 4:32 PM
    #11
    Rix

    Rix Member

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    trdracing5. Could you please give more details how you set up wires? Where connected what? Thanks a lot.
     
  12. Apr 30, 2020 at 10:07 AM
    #12
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    From the PAC SWI-RC take the white wire, white/black wire, and white/red wire and connect these three wires with the two white wires (key 1 and Key 2) on the ALLOMN remote control.
    There are a lot of installation details in the reviews on Amazon if you read through them.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2020
  13. Apr 30, 2020 at 6:01 PM
    #13
    Rix

    Rix Member

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    trdracing5. Thanks a lot. Added link do not work, but seems I found right review on Amazon.
     
  14. May 6, 2020 at 6:27 PM
    #14
    Rix

    Rix Member

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    trdracing5. I still have questions.

    I did easiest parts:
    1) Connected PAC SWI-RC take the white wire, white/black wire, and white/red wire and connect these three wires with the two white wires (key 1 and Key 2) on the ALLOMN remote control.
    2)Then I put together AC SWI-RC output for steering wheel control (blue/yellow) with my Kenwood DDX990HD one-wire input for a steering wheel control.
    3) ALLOMN remote control have black and red wires - connected them with Kenwood black and red wires (black to black (ground), red to red (+12V ignition)
    4) Last part is most confusing. How to connect PAC SWI-RC with power source? https://pac-audio.com/swi-guide-center/swi-rc-1-guide/ is bit confusing - put black to black (ground), red to red (+12V ignition), or something else?
    Thanks a lot.
     
  15. May 8, 2020 at 10:55 AM
    #15
    trdracing5

    trdracing5 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I wired the black wires from the SWI-RC and ALLOMN together and spliced them into the black wire connecting the wiring harness coming from the Kenwood unit to the Metra/Scosche wiring harness that connects to the factory wiring plug.
    I connected the red wire to the red wire connecting the wiring harness coming from the Kenwood unit to the Metra/Scosche) wiring harness that connects to the factory wiring plug.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2020
  16. May 8, 2020 at 12:44 PM
    #16
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    This is one of those mods that while I understand the appeal I’ve never wanted for myself.

    And then I got a daily driver with steering wheel controls.

    Now I really want the truck to have steering wheel controls.
     
  17. May 8, 2020 at 7:01 PM
    #17
    Rix

    Rix Member

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  18. May 8, 2020 at 7:09 PM
    #18
    xtwillie

    xtwillie Well-Known Member

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    that sounds like an awesome upgrade would love to add this to my DC
     
  19. May 8, 2020 at 7:16 PM
    #19
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    My first OE wheel controls were in an '86 300 ZX - T. I really liked them especially with the 5 spd keeping me more busy.
     
  20. Jun 2, 2020 at 7:31 PM
    #20
    Rix

    Rix Member

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    I finally installed similar system and works great. Just would like to leave instructions for those who plan to do it. The reason for update is Pac SWI-RC Steering Wheel Interface I used is actually Pac SWI-RC-1 and it is quite different from Pac SWI-RC.

    Connect PAC SWI-R-1 output wire for steering wheel control (blue/yellow) with Kenwood (DNN990HD) steering wheel control wire (blue/yellow). If you do not know which wire it is - watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzyvnHxLYe8 in 4:45 they show it clearly

    Power for both item: Use radio ACC power (Red) and a ground (black) wires connect to the red and black wires on the SWI-RC-1 and ALLOMN (red to red, black to black) - just make T type connection.

    The Key 1 wire (white) of the ALLOMN interface will be connected to the solid white on SWI-RC-1. The ALLOMN key 2 (gray in my case) will be connected to white with a black stripe from the SWI-RC-1.

    The new Pac SWI-RC-1 has 2 sets of switches- first with 8 dips and second with 4. The first 8 dip switches will be left as all off. NOT ON. Second set of 4 dip switches will be configured to the brand radio you are using. In may case (Kenwood): ON 1st and 2nd, OFF 3rd and 4th. For other radios you have manually map the controls:
    https://catalog.pac-audio.com/index.php?controller=attachment&id_attachment=1716 This manual also have all programming steps. I am leaving copy of manual in attachent.
     

    Attached Files:

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