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2016 tow connector location

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by mreid77, Mar 28, 2025.

  1. Mar 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
    #1
    mreid77

    mreid77 [OP] New Member

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    I have a Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty brake controller to install in my 2016 TRD 4x4 offroad. I tried to find it on the left side of the steering wheel but did not find it. Instruction image shows it to the right of the steering wheel. Could not see it from a under dash view. How do you get to it?
     
  2. Mar 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
    #2
    dilbert

    dilbert AI Member

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    You have to remove the driver side kick panel and it's hiding back behind other wire bundles up against the firewall. There are some pictures in the post linked below.
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-controllers.711132/page-5#post-25613635

    Also, check out this bracket made by @pgfitzgerald
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/1417438984/redarc-tow-pro-mounting-bracket-for-3rd?etsrc=sdt
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-redarc-tow-pro-liberty-install.773860/
     
  3. Mar 28, 2025 at 2:56 PM
    #3
    mreid77

    mreid77 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you very much dilbert but my Tacoma is a 2016 and it appears that the tow connector was placed under dash to the right of the steering wheel not to the left of the steering wheel. I am trying to discover how to get to mine, that is not visible under the dash.
     
  4. Mar 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
    #4
    RustyGreen

    RustyGreen A breaker point guy in a Bluetooth world

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    Welcome to the forum :hattip:

    Firstly, does your truck have the tow package? It was optional on the first few years.
    If you have the plug in the photo below on the rear bumper you have the package.

    upload_2024-9-14_13-47-27.jpg

    Secondly, that connector is really hiding back there amongst all the wires & connectors, there is a lot of stuff in that small space.

    This is what you are prospecting for:

    upload_2024-9-14_15-7-46.jpg
     
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  5. Mar 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
    #5
    jmneill

    jmneill Well-Known Member

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    Don't all the TRD's come with a tow package.

    As mentioned, look behind the DS kick panel.
     
  6. Mar 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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    dilbert

    dilbert AI Member

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    It's not to the right of the steering wheel, even on a 2016. It's in the same location for all third gen Tacomas. You need to remove the driver side kick panel to find it.
     
  7. Mar 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM
    #7
    dilbert

    dilbert AI Member

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    That's a good point... In 2016 it was an option.
     
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  8. Mar 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
    #8
    MGMDesertTaco

    MGMDesertTaco Come on, live a little...

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    I believe there's an airbag on the back side of that panel (drivers side foot well). You should disconnect the negative battery terminal before taking the two bolt out.
     
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  9. Mar 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
    #9
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    Redarc has a vehicle specific, in this case Tacoma, installation manual/image? I've never seen it. Follow the instructions of the other commenters.
     
  10. Mar 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
    #10
    mreid77

    mreid77 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks everyone, problem solved.20250329_133411.jpg 20250329_135625.jpg
    First picture doesn't show connector. Connector is hidden. You can't see it.
    Second picture shows where connector was hidden behind the cable harness.
    Since I didn't find it the first time I read the instructions that showed it was on the right side of steering wheel under the dash. Evidently those were misleading instructions.
    Because of your insistence I looked again and found the connector hidden behind the cable harness.
    Thanks again group. :)
     
    dilbert, RustyGreen and Old goat1914 like this.
  11. Mar 29, 2025 at 2:37 PM
    #11
    Toycoma2021

    Toycoma2021 Well-Known Member

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    Yup, we’ve been through the same thing.
     
    RustyGreen likes this.

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