Adding Factory Cruise on a 1996 Tacoma

I'm new to this site but not Toyotas or modifications, and have been researching adding cruise control to a 1997 Tacoma. I watched your Youtube video and it looks like you cut the harness far short of what you need. You will need to run wiring to the brake switch and to or up the steering column to your cruise control switch, as well as possibly to the power source and instrument cluster wiring, at a minimum. Unfortunately I think it would have been best if you had kept the plugs for the brake switch and cruise control switch so you would know the quantity and colors of the wires going to them. Hate to say it, but it might be better to go back to a pick and pull and pull another harness, and taking the time to unplug all the plugs rather than cutting them off. You can then work with that harness and either put it in in place of your current harness, or really figure out what you need and strip those pieces out.

 

Hi subzali,
Thanks for the info. I admit to having gotten away from completing my mission, of installing the cruise control on my 1996 Tacoma. I did go the local dealer, and told them what I had, regarding parts, and they said they could put it all together for me for around $700. I thought that was a little steep, so I have just put the project on the back burner. Still though, regarding the wiring harness, I do appreciate the input. I am not a toyota mechanic or anything, BUT, I just try to look at this thing logically. Since everything that came with my toyota tacoma is working, the addition of the cruise control module, which is where the main wiring harness plugs into, should only require the wires from the wiring harness, that are related to the cruise control only, and not anything else. Still though, I do admit that it would have been great if I had been able to take out the complete wiring harness, but at the time, it was hot as heck out there in the pick-n-pull lot, and I was really thrilled just to be able to pull out as much wiring harness as I did! But as you see in the pics and video, I did get enough to connect to the actuator, and from the truck that I pulled the wiring harness from, since it was still attached to the actuator, I went ahead and took that actuator too, even though I already had one that I had obtained via online, from somewhere else. From what others here have told me, I only need 4 of the wires from the harness, but I would have to go back to the earlier threads on this, to name you which wires they are. Obviously though, one would be the power wire and one would be ground, and I remember one to connect to the VSS. I forgot what the other one was for. The thing is, when I ordered the actual steering wheel cruise control switch, it came out of a 1996 Tacoma, and came with the horn bracket. Upon following directions on how to remove the steering wheel cover [and airbag], it told me to simply unplug the original horn connector, and plug in the new cruise control switch right into the same connector. The wires from the switch match up with the wires in the connector, so I thought those were the only wires I need there. Are you able to clarify that for me, and if so, if you have any pictures of what the connector that is in the steering wheel and which, the cruise control switch plugs into, that would be great! But regarding the wiring harness, considering how hard it was to get what I did get, and thinking that I only needed 4 wires, although I did want to get as much of the harness as possible, I didn't think it would be too hard to just connect the 4 wires that I needed, and/or add on some wiring to reach the areas it is supposed to. Regarding the brake switch, I did get [as noted in the video and pics], a brake switch that is supposed to go on a Tacoma that has cruise control. Anyway, if you do have any further information that could be of help, I would appreciate it! And hey, if you live in northern CA, i wouldn't mind some in person help with this! Thanks!

 

Found out more in the last couple of days. Non-cruise models do not have the wiring up the steering column. The plug is there but it's blank. It's also integrated into the turn signal/wiper switch which includes the swivel piece so the wheel can turn. It's so tight in there that I doubt you can cleanly add a piggyback harness to the cruise switch and bypass the oe wiring and plugs. So - one would need to buy a turn signal/wiper switch assembly as well.

Now going down the steering column, the wiring for the cruise is by itself until it reaches the bottom. At that point some of it is hard-wired in to the giant dash harness plug, so there is no way to independently disconnect just the cruise portion. You have to take the whole dash harness with you. It will probably be easier than trying to find out how to tie in the cruise wiring. Full dash harnesses can be had for $150, less if you pull it yourself.

Does anybody have the EWD for the cruise system they would be willing to share? That might help. The one on the first page is fuzzy.

Also, if you are at the pick and pull you should just get a steering wheel that was designed for cruise. For me it was $10.

 

Hi subzali; Thanks for the info. The first thing I did, when starting t his project, was to get a cruise control switch, which I got from "yotayard", which is a junk yard that specializes in tacomas on ebay. I think they are in Colorado. Anyway, it was the correct switch, and came with the horn switch and plug harness. According to some thread I saw on here, all I had to do was to take the center steering wheel cover off, remove the airbag, and then disconnect the horn bracket and unplug the connector harness. The cruise control switch mounts right in and plugs right in to the existing harness plug, which it did. All I had to do was to "cut out" the right side of the steering wheel cover, in order for the switch to be able to protrude out as it was supposed to. I did that, although I admit I am not exactly proud of my cutting job on the side of the steering wheel! Anyway, at that time, I didn't know nearly what I know now about the cruise systems, and so I had just followed and believed the threads here that said all I had to do was to install the cruise control switch, and if the truck was prewired, the cruise light would come on and I would have cruise! If I had just checked under the right side passenger panel just in front of the door, I would have seen that my truck did NOT have the cruise control module there, which would have told me that my truck was not prewired for cruise. So now, I have been driving around with my truck with a really nice looking cruise control switch on the steering column, that does not work! I have been searching for tidbits of information on here, and I have gotten some good info. I have been going about this using logic, since I am not a full-blown engine machanic or anything, and logic has dictated to me that since everything else on my truck works, then when adding the cruise control setup [all parts], that I would only need to connect the wires in the harness that I have, that area relevant to the cruise control system. Someone told me on here, that there were only 4 wires that need to be connected, although I have to look up what 4 wires those were! Anyway, that would makes sense, and the 4 wires they told me about, what wires they were, made sense to me. I think one was a ground wire, power wire, VSS wire, and I forgot what the 4th wire was. My problem really, is that it is one thing to go to a junkyard to pull a wiring harness out, seeing as how you don't have to put the dash, etc, back in! But in my own truck, taking out the dash seems like a nightmare waiting to happen, to me! But I DO get what you are saying about the cruise control switch, as I seem to recall that my switch came with two wires, I think, that were plugged into the plug harness, that I plugged directly into the harness on the back of the steering wheel assembly. I think you pretty much have to do that, as any other way, and you wouldn't be able to turn the steering wheel or the wires would come out! Anyway, thanks for your input, as I think it is very helpful. I would love it if someone would post a picture at least, of the inside of the steering wheel and the back where the plug harness is that the cruise control switch plugs into. I would like to see what wires, and how many, are there on a truck that has factory cruise on it. Thanks again!

 

These first pictures show a cruise-equipped ’97. This first picture shows the four wires at the bottom of the steering column for cruise: Brown w/stripe, Green w/stripe, Red w/stripe, White w/stripe. I’m confused by this because it doesn’t match the EWD. The EWD shows G-B (Green w/Black stripe), G (Green), and W-B (White w/Black stripe) coming off the cruise switch. Another schematic I have shows GRN/RED stripe, GRN/BLK stripe and WHT/BLK stripe coming off the switch, which is also what the one posted on page 1 shows. Anyway.



Also notice that these go straight to this big dash harness plug. They do not have separate plugs.

At the top of the column here they are:



Bad picture, but the spiral cable sub-assembly has 4 pins installed, and all 4 are used:



And here are the wires, with different colors, on the steering wheel side, but you can see 4 are used:



By contrast, here is what a non-cruise ‘97 looks like. On the steering wheel side, only the ground wire comes through:



The spiral cable sub-assembly only has 2 pins installed, instead of 4, and only 1 is used for above-mentioned ground wire:



And here on the column there is only 1 wire, the ground wire, installed in this white plug (sorry for glare from flash):

 

Wow! Those are great pics! But it is completely different from what I came across when I installed the cruise control switch in my 1996 tacoma! What I need to do, is go back out there, and take apart my steering wheel, to show what wires I have, and what came with my switch. But, this response of yours was VERY helpful, at least, I THINK it might be! I really didn't think just adding factory cruise would be this difficult! Thanks so much!

 

subzali; OK this morning I went out to my 1996 Toyota Tacoma, and took apart the steering wheel, as I did when I installed the cruise control switch. I admit, your post had me intrigued, so I made time to do it for my own curiosity if nothing else! Anyway, I guess I must have been in some "zone" or something when I installed it, because I honestly didn't remember what I found when I saw it today! Anyway, I am posting pics as well as a video I made of what I found this morning. It may or may not help others.

The first picture is of the side of the steering column, where the decorative plugs are that cover the screws that hold the center of the steering wheel cover and airbag assembly.

The second picture shows the front of the steering wheel.

The third picture shows the cover pulled off.

The 4th picture shows the cruise control switch plug wire plugged in.

The 5th picture shows the horn bracket and plug, that was removed when I installed the cruise control switch.

The 6th picture shows the actual plug that the cruise control switch wire harness plugs into. Notice it only has TWO prongs inside that plug into the cruise control switch, although there are FOUR wires in the switch. That right there should have told me when I was installing it, that all the wires were NOT prewired into my Tacoma, but as I said, I must have been in a "zone" or something at the time!


Here is a link to the video I made of t his process: https://youtu.be/vIgqjAK5jXQ

 

Yep same as my non-cruise '97.

 

subzali; yes, you are right. I thank you again for posting your pics. After posting my own pics, and then looking at yours, they make more sense to me now. I still can't quite get a handle on the "last" picture you posted, but your pictures DID clear up my question or logically deduced assumption about the plug on the cable spring, needing to have 4 prongs. So now I guess, if I DO go with the factory setup, which I would like to do at this point, it looks like I need to get a cable spring assy with a plug that has 4 prongs. I am still amazed that there is so much involved in just having cruise control on my truck!

 

The last pic is looking up the steering column from the pedal area. The harness runs up the column and plugs into the bottom of the spiral spring. On a non-cruise truck like the last pic I posted, there is only one wire in that harness, the ground.

The second picture I posted is of the same plug from a cruise-equipped truck. The plug has four wires. So to have factory cruise you need to obtain that section of harness running up the column or replicate it by running the three wires that are currently missing.

 

Did your actuator bolt up OK to your fender? My fender appears to be missing one of the bolt holes

 

subzali; Hey, well, yes and know! It WOULD bolt right up there, as the holes are already there and threaded. BUT, strangely enough, right where the actuator would bolt on, that is where the windshield washer storage tank is! The actuator goes on the right side of the truck, and as you said, bolts onto the fender, right in the middle. There is not any room to move the windshield washer tank either forward or backwards, so I stopped where I was, regarding going ahead and bolting in the actuator. I found several pictures of the underhood of a tacoma with cruise control actuator installed, but so far, I cannot identify WHERE the water storage tank IS in the pictures. I will attach the 4 pictures I have, and you will see how the actuator should look, bolted on. I figured that they just used a different water storage tank for trucks with cruise control, and that it mounted to the rear of the actuator, as there is more room there. Anyway, the pics are below...

 

The windshield washer bottle is the cap in the very front passenger corner in those pics, it hangs down behind the stock bumper. A lot of guys replace it with either an ebay or junkyard unit in the location of the actuator if they plan on going to an aftermarket bumper

 

lukester78; Oh yeah! Man, I looked all around and totally missed seeing that! I was looking for something that looked like what I had, and so, just totally missed it! The only thing then, would be, if I was to go with that same water storage tank, the question would be then, would the existing connecting cables/water line be long enough to reach it at that location in the front? But what you pointed out was great, but it also is a great example of everytime I feel like I am getting closer to being able to put all this together, yet another "minor detail" pops up that throws a wrench into my plans! But hey, thanks SO MUCH for pointing out where the storage tank is on these models with cruise. Now, I feel like a dang fool for missing it!

 

@oogielaflick , yours is a 4 cyl auto right?

My washer is mounted up front as stated above so no problem there for me. I have the two threaded holes on the fender lip but not the third one on the bottom through the fender itself. Expected it to be there and got thrown off. Should be as easy as drilling the hole and using a bolt and nut, but it would have been nice if it was just there!

 

I haven't bothered swapping my washer fluid tank yet as a bumper is at least a couple years out for me, so I'd recommend asking in the "what've you done today" thread.

From what I've read it's a plug and play swap, so I imagine you don't need to extend hoses or anything...

My suggestion would be trying to bolt your current fluid bottle somewhere else, rather than swapping out to oem. That way you retain the benefit of having it relocated if you decide to add a bumper

 

subzali; yes, my truck is a 4-cyl automatic xtra cab, exactly as pictured in my profile pic!

 

Well, for me, this project is not going to happen. I know what I need to do, and am capable, but time constraints will not allow me to complete. For those following along, here are my conclusions:

This experience indicates that 1996 and 1997 Tacomas that did not come with cruise control also did not come pre-wired for cruise control. Most of the physical mounting points appear to be there, but the wiring is not. Someone I talked to said that starting in 1998 they came pre-wired, which makes sense based on what I've found. My current list of parts for a 4cyl 5spd, if someone wanted to tackle this project using OEM parts, is:
-Dash wiring harness including section that goes into engine bay, as well as section that goes up steering column
-Cruise ECU
-Cruise Actuator
-Actuator Cover
-Brake Switch (different than non-cruise)
-Clutch Switch (if you have a manual and don't have clutch start cancel already installed)
-Steering wheel with cruise switch assembly
-Cruise switch assembly if your donor steering wheel doesn't come with it
-Clock spring/spiral spring, because the plug for cruise is integrated and if yours is non-cruise it will not have the pins you need
-Accelerator cable (different than non-cruise)
-Cruise cable
-Cruise cable bracket that ties it together with accel cable

Good luck to anyone attempting this, unfortunately it's not as simple as the later models.

 

subzali; You have provided me with more information that I did not know! I was not aware that one needed a different accelerator cable, or cable bracket to tie the two cables together. I also do not have the actuator cover, but I didn't think that was something I needed to worry about. And I had begun to feel that your original recommendation about getting a whole in-dash wiring harness was a good idea too. But now, I am feeling that what had initially been thought to be a relatively simple project, has turned into a nightmare for me. I have most of the parts, except for the clock spring, different accelerator cable, cable bracket, and actuator cover. I have half of the wiring harness, as I didn't think at the time, that I needed the harness on the left side of the truck. In researching this as well as the Rostra Universal Cruise Control for this vehicle [250-1223], it seems that it is a whole lot easier for me to get the Rostra and install that, but what is hanging me up with doing that, is the fact that they insist that one has to use their cruise control switch that does NOT mount into the same place as a factory Toyota switch, but mounts on the side of the steering wheel column. Factory cruise systems usually have either buttons or a column mounted stalk on the steering wheel, that turns with the wheel. The Rostra switch [stalk] does NOT turn with the wheel, but mounts into the side of the steering wheel column. I do NOT want that, as it would be cumbersome and not nearly as safe as one that mounts right onto the steering wheel. Also, I can see myself hitting it with my knees within the first couple of day after installation! I have tried to no avail, to get answers from Rostra, as to why they say I cannot use a factory Toyota switch with their system, but they have not responded to my inquiries. At this point, I am feeling pretty dejected about this whole thing, especially since I have put a lot of time into obtaining the parts that I have, as well as about $200 over all in money, only to find that I still do not have all the parts I would need! I DO think though, that since I found out about the clock spring and see how the factory cruise control switch mounts into the steering wheel, and then plugs into the clock spring, that if I was to obtain a Toyota Clock Spring for my truck that was made for a truck that had factory cruise installed on it [a clock spring with 4 pins instead of two], then I could use that to mount the factory toyota cruise control switch [as I have already done!] and then connect the Rostra wiring into the clock spring, thereby being able to then use a Factory Toyota Tacoma cruise control switch. In fact, if it turns out that the Rostra switch has something definitive about it that makes it the only one that will work with a rostra system, then it may be possible to still mount it in the same place as the factory toyota tacoma cruise control switch, that I have already installed. In any case, since there have been others who have occasionally posted here about wanting to do the same thing, ie, installing a toyota factory cruise control system in a tacoma that did not come with it, between the three of us, we have covered it, at least, I think so, up to this point. I really want to thank "subzali" and "lukester78" for their contributions to this. I think we have all been helpful to others who may want to consider this, but right now, I am feeling that my best option if I can do with with the cruise control stalk on the steering wheel itself, is to go with the Rostra universal system, although I hate to, because I really like everything to be "factory"! Much thanks and appreciation!

 

If you ask Rostra I'm sure they would say that only their switch can be used with their system. That is their business. But I would imagine it's a simple switch that has essentially the same functions as the factory switch; one would just have to figure out the pinouts that correspond to the harness. Of course any modification to the Rostra system would void their warranty so one would be doing that work at one's own risk.