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Cheap 4X4 Switch Illumination - Step By Step Write-up

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Scooter, Jan 9, 2010.

  1. Sep 12, 2011 at 5:42 PM
    #21
    rcbs204

    rcbs204 Well-Known Member Vendor

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    I have an easier way than that!!
     
  2. Sep 12, 2011 at 5:52 PM
    #22
    HomerTaco

    HomerTaco also HomerTaco Vendor

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    HomerTaco ...................................................................................................................................................... Core-Hurst short throw shifter & T-handle / Carbon Fiber Interior / custom console light / De-badged / leather interior / Heated Front seats / Red Line Hood Struts / Painted speaker grills /one-off TRD Satoshi Grill with 12-15 front-end swap/ Pioneer AVIC-X920BT HU / Scangauge II / Black LED Tails / Dash Mount for iPad mini / Safari Snorkel / Auto-pilot mode / Leer 100XQ Cap / 4x Innovations sliders / Rear Diff Breather Mod / front windows tinted to 35% / Brute Force Fab Hybrid Front Bumper / BAMF Rear Diff Skid / Budbuilt Skids / CBI Trail Master 2.0 rear hybrid bumper / Fox rr coils/ TC UCA's/ TC spindle gussets/ TC Cam Tab gussets / Dakar leafs / Defined Engineering shackles / All pro U bolt flip / Timbren Rear Bumpstops / BAMF LCA skids / Exhaust re-route / Fog Light anytime Mod / LowRange Off Road extended rear brake lines / ATO Shackle Flip / sectioned Bushwhacker flares / re-geared to 4.56 / ARB Front & Rear Locking Diff / ARB CKMA12 compressor / PrInSu full rack system / 1" body lift / Inchworm 4.7 crawlbox / twin stick FJ t-case / Davez off-road triple-stick kit/
    OMG... I just made it through the first 5 steps of that DIY write up and just about melted my brain... :goingcrazy:
    Thanks again for making them for us Shannon! :bowdown:
     
  3. Sep 12, 2011 at 5:56 PM
    #23
    mikesfarm

    mikesfarm Well-Known Member

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    I have access to a pcb mill (LPKF) and wanted to make myself a copy, did not want to compete with you or take business from you. I will take my switch apart and measure.
     
  4. Sep 13, 2011 at 10:46 AM
    #24
    Scooter

    Scooter [OP] Canadian Member

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    Pop n Lock Power Tailgate Lock, Bak Flip Tonneau Cover, Factory DLR installed, Defrost with A/C Off, EZ Down Tailgate Damper, Code Alarm Security System with Remote Starter, Rear Spring TSB, Ming rust proofing & paint treatment, 3M fabric protector, Cargo Mat, Scanguage II, DYI Illuminated 4X4 Switch, Versa-Gate box extender & cargo divider, Toyota Roof Rails, Grom USB Audio adapter with bluetooth, LED Bed lights, OEM Backup Camera with LCD Display Mirror
    I'm not selling these, so no worries about competing with me for business. I wrote this write-up for those who have the skills to do it themselves. The dimensions are in the write-up. I also PM'ed you the dimensions. Have fun with it.
     
  5. Sep 20, 2011 at 3:50 PM
    #25
    mikesfarm

    mikesfarm Well-Known Member

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    It will be a while before I get time to build and install my board, but thought I would share a pic of it.

    led board.jpg
     
  6. Nov 23, 2011 at 9:13 AM
    #26
    Scooter

    Scooter [OP] Canadian Member

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    Nice work. I'm guessing you'll be using SMDs.
     
  7. Nov 23, 2011 at 9:19 AM
    #27
    cummins6speed

    cummins6speed Well-Known Member

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    I like the ingenuity!
     
  8. Nov 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM
    #28
    Scooter

    Scooter [OP] Canadian Member

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    Yah, there are easier way to do this, like buying the light or the circuit board. But this is way more fun for those of us who want bragging rights of doing it from scratch.
     
  9. Nov 25, 2011 at 11:05 AM
    #29
    KenpachiZaraki

    KenpachiZaraki Its Wicked Flow BITCHES!!

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    Agreed
     
  10. Nov 13, 2013 at 4:08 PM
    #30
    showpare

    showpare Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for posting how to get the HVAC control out. I bought a board/kit from Tacoma4X4.com. Will do the upgrade this weekend.

    Did the upgrade using rcbs204's board and a combination Tacoma4X4.com pdf instructions and pictures here. Tied red and white into the strain relief of green/white and green, respectively. My 4X4 dial is LIT! and it looks stock!
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2013
  11. Jan 17, 2014 at 9:25 AM
    #31
    samsquamch1981

    samsquamch1981 Well-Known Member

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    have you seen the 2014 model yet? The new design prevents the hi and low lettering from becoming lit up. Only the arrow indicator is capable of getting lit....Any thoughts on engineering a way to fix this? or maybe retrofitting an older 4wd switch in it? It just really bothers me that this important switch is not illuminated.

    photo.jpg
     
  12. Jan 23, 2014 at 12:42 PM
    #32
    Scooter

    Scooter [OP] Canadian Member

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    I haven't seen the new switch. Is the "2H", "4H" and "4L" not translucent? That would suck. Why would Toyota not light up this switch is beyond me. I always thought that the newer models may get an illuminated switch. To make the characters opaque seems like a step backwards.
     
  13. Jan 23, 2014 at 1:09 PM
    #33
    samsquamch1981

    samsquamch1981 Well-Known Member

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    It really does seem a step backwards. I may have figured out something to possibly get some light for the gear. I'm going to place an led in the knob and drill out a small portion of it to make a tiny flashlight. The knob will be illuminated and there will be a little light thrown through the hole for the drive gear...I think it's the only way to do it.
     
  14. Jan 23, 2014 at 8:29 PM
    #34
    Scooter

    Scooter [OP] Canadian Member

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    That sounds ingenious. You may consider putting a small LED right in the hole with just the tip sticking out, if you have the room. I hope it all works out, and if it does, it will be simpler, because you wouldn't need a circuit board. Show us pictures when you're done.
     
  15. Jan 24, 2014 at 2:19 PM
    #35
    samsquamch1981

    samsquamch1981 Well-Known Member

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    Thank you..I sure will post pics once completed...I have to install some led's in my cupholder and the tray behind the cupholder as well...It will be one interesting wiring day....I'm trying to get my hands on a "practice knob" to test out which led I'll use and how it's gonna be inserted before I drill into mine...
     
  16. Jan 25, 2014 at 9:07 AM
    #36
    JdevTac

    JdevTac Bawnjourno

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    You can alternatively buy a 4th gen 4Runner V6 4x4 knob which can be wired to light up and fits in our 12+ 4x4 switch spots. Someone made a post a long time ago about it and another user posted again about it a couple days ago in 2nd gen section. Only thing is the switch is silver so will not match your black siding.
     
  17. Jan 25, 2014 at 7:27 PM
    #37
    samsquamch1981

    samsquamch1981 Well-Known Member

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    I'll have to search up the posts to see that.. Thank you. Is the 4runner switch a direct fit replacement? I spoke to a toyota dealership a few weeks ago and they said it the part would not fit....But they always tell you things like that because they don't want any warranty issues.
     
  18. Jan 26, 2014 at 7:04 AM
    #38
    JdevTac

    JdevTac Bawnjourno

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    Yes its a direct fit. I'll find the threads on it and post the links in a second.

    Original thread I saw for actually using the 4Runner switch: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/207924-2012-illuminated-4x4-selector-switch.html

    Original walkthrough thread for 05-11 Tacomas (same procedure, but just use the 4Runner switch instead of gutting it): http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/3681-diy-gen-2-illuminated-4wd-switch.html

    Most recent thread on it (he gives a nice rundown of what you need to do): http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/312343-2012-illuminated-4x4-switch-woes.html

    And finally link to switch at Camelback Toyota, ($76.61) or Part #84724-35020 if you want to buy elsewhere: http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com/oem-part/toyota/4runner/2006/sr5/4-0l-v6-gas/body-hardware/cluster-and-switches/control-switch/84724-35020
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2014
  19. Jan 27, 2014 at 7:31 PM
    #39
    samsquamch1981

    samsquamch1981 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks man. I'll definitely check it out. As long as it fits into a 14 4cyl 2.7 L, i'll order one..I saw one already illuminated (same switch Number) for $90 on some Website....Is your switch illuminated?
     
  20. Jan 28, 2014 at 5:48 PM
    #40
    JdevTac

    JdevTac Bawnjourno

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    It should definitely fit since 12+ all have same 4x4 switch. 4Runner switch comes ready with bulb and everything if that is what you are referring to. Just needs wiring into harness. My switch isn't illuminated. I want to get around to doing this exact mod, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
     

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