Second Generation Irrelevance

I actually have a spare in the wheel I bought for the Tundra to get radio controls. But haven’t started either that or taken off the ‘05 wheel. Since the ‘05 is a grocery getter, I don’t mind it being so spartan than much. But if cruise is easy enough I may attempt it.

 

Don’t quote me but the leather wheel you have may just fit the Tacoma? There were a few years that plug and play.

 

It might. Probably requires swapping the airbag cover or trimming the one I have. Not sure if the base SR PreRunner has the wires to the radio though. I haven't had a moment to open it up and look. I really want radio controls for the Tundra though b/c it's a 4660 and the touchscreen volume buttons annoy me, whereas the '05 Tacoma has a giant knob right there so easy to adjust volume.

 

Got my tailgate assist done today thanks to @christian06 ’s kit. Lots of work but very satisfying to have.

https://youtu.be/Bq41qiQ8Nb4
https://youtu.be/86EVL6TTqPc

 

Anyone know where/how to get those little plastic inserts the taillights punch into before you bolt 'em down?

 

Dave,
Hate to say sounds like a dealer part unless you can find a Toyota part number. Then you can search places like FleBay or Google by putting in “Toyota #####-#####” then sometimes you can find the parts on FleBay. You can try to find them here…

https://parts.totoyota.com/

 

I don't remember what those look like, is it this?

$14 Rexka 20pcs Tail Lamp Assembly Clip 76817-0E010 for Toyota Lexus

Rexka 20pcs Tail Lamp Assembly Clip 76817-0E010 for Toyota Lexus

 

Pretty close but the one I have small pieces of looks more round than that oval shape, though that could just be OEM vs aftermarket.

I'll throw in those search terms, didn't try that explicitly, thanks.

 

Looks like 90189-06077

 

Some random thoughts as I learn more about 2G's.

1. The front grille change, I can see how many prefer the aesthetics of the later model years with a shorter grille and thinner headlights. I dunno about my own personal preferences, with the taller grille and big bug eye headlights, there's a distinctive look which I find kind of fun and throwback-ish. I don't regret owning a 2005 at least, though I wouldn't necessarily say without a doubt that I prefer the older style 2G to the later model year 2G. I think the taller grille looks OK though.
2. I put on one door decal and removed it, it was 3G style blackout. I'm going with 2G style, I think it's more authentic, even though this truck may not have come with any and if it did, they were likely chrome.
3. The 2013+ Toyota radios are way too spendy for me to consider, I'm just not a fan of spending on factory audio. I got a $100 blackout non-ts lameo radio which is part of the point of this truck, make it so "not fun" that it's "safe" for my kids to learn to drive. No aux in cable, just radio, that's it.
4. Backup camera wise, with a RC and no shell the visibility is awesome but I could see value in the backup camera option. I may pony up for a rearview mirror with lcd down the road. Currently rolling a 3G Tacoma Gentex and working on the pigtail for compass and auto dim since the stock mirror was terrible. I can see how it'd be nice to leverage the full screen real estate for backup (and maybe even front) camera display. Perhaps a project to do with the boys if they earn the privilege first.

So, slow walking the blackout effort, got the tailgate assist in and pretty happy with that, hemming and hawing about rear bumper but probably leave it all alone for now, and working on the front suspension as the coilovers I got are just too stiff for the 3500 lb RC.

 

Ok, I am confirmed to drive the 2005 north to the PNW on Wednesday the 20th. That decision bumps up priority on getting cruise control installed and working. I have good instructions from the kit I bought but may lean on the TW community for help, apologies in advance if I tag someone like @Empty_Lord or @Hayrider or @PennSilverTaco

I do happen to have a leather spare wheel with audio controls and cruise stalk in a matching color and an airbag cover which almost matches. I’m a tiny bit tempted to try an entire wheel swap in the Tacoma but wary of the level of difficulty there. And I rather like the blacked out steering badge on the existing airbag cover which is the “no audio controls” style. Though maybe that piece can transfer over directly?

Radio for now is stock and I have a black version inbound which may arrive before I leave, that should be a purely cosmetic change.

Trying to think this one through for a smooth trip since it’s 1100+ miles.

Rearview mirror has been swapped to a 3G Tacoma mirror. I may attempt to get the harness done for that but it seems low priority to have compass and auto dimming. Almost nicer without the wire really.

 

I unfortunately did not oversee the installation of cruise control in my truck (big mistake). All I know is that the there is at least one additional wire that must be connected to the ECU, and if your truck is manual then another wire is required to connect to the clutch. My cruise control stall turned out to be defective, and I am currently running an OEM stalk that works great. My truck is a 2010; I heard that some older 2nd Gens may be prewired for cruise control, and all that's required is installing the switch. My system is not the least bit factory, but it functions like it is...



Up until last month, the cruise control was working intermittently; I am going to Syracuse for a huge car show in 3 days and I obviously wanted cruise control for that trip, so I acted on a theory and had my mechanic swap out the Rostra stalk for an OEM one I had lying around. Turns out that was the problem the whole time and the cruise control now works great!

 

1st. With all do respect “ALL” Tacoma’s come pre-wired for cruise‼️

2nd. If you have a manual then you remove the clutch pedal stop and install the switch in the center of the photo below.There is a wire that plugs into to the switch that’s in the wires behind the left kick panel. The wire is easy to find sometimes and not so easy other times. It will have about a 1/4” wide piece of masking tape holding it to a bundle of other wires.

3rd. Many say their Tacoma’s are not pre-wired because they don’t know you need to exchange and or replace a wire behind the airbag. Depending on the options the truck came with will depend on what wire you need to exchange and or replace! Either the one on the left or the right. I’m purchasing a base model 05 5 lug in Portland and driving it home on the 25th. So I purchased the parts to install the cruise for the trip home. I’m 99% sure I’m going to need the one on the left but my Toyota parts man said to take both just “in case”.

4th. Oh yeah you need the OEM cruise control switch that mounts to the factory steering wheel. Sorry I don’t have that part number because I purchased a nice leather wrapped wheel and it came with the switch and the little cover with a hole & rubber flap the cruise control switch protrudes through.

EDIT; Dave I just saw the photo of the steering wheel at the top of the page. If the wheel fits your truck you just need the clutch pedal switch. The wire with the metal connector with no insulation will plug into the horn.

 

Thanks for all the great background. I'm excited to get this party started. I have a kit with pinned wires. And I happen to have a little experience with these connectors. Already located the plug near the clutch and the kit I got has that switch. Just hoping to figure my way through the process since it's my first time even opening up the wheel. Definitely watched my share of videos though.

 

Blackout radio in. Same as the silver but less ugly.

 

Now remove the silver vents on each side (& anything else you don’t want silver) purchase some maroon/red Scotch-bright, a tack rag, some fine line tape if you need to tape off, w/ 3M masking tape from a automotive paint supply store and a can of this in the link below (there’s different shins of black). Cut the Scotch-bright pad in 4 pieces, go under the sink and steal your wife’s Dawn. Now sand down the side vent panels with water & Dawn after you remove the louvered vents. (also any other parts that you don’t want silver). Paint work is 90% prep. Have a clean area or hang the part, then tact the dust you can’t see, start out with very light coats, wait a few until the paint is tacky or until you can touch something next to the part without leaving a finger print. Be careful with the last coat, you want it wet without runs. I did my entire dash with SEMS. Again 90% of paint work is in the prep-work. I also sanded 70 to 95% of the silver paint off for good adhesion.
Edit; wrong section of paints I will try again.

https://www.semproducts.com/products/refinish/trim-paints

Good luck Dave!

 

I love it, and I did see you mention that before, but I don't think this is something I have the stomach for. I'd much rather overpay for plastic than paint it. I've done a few things so far and I am mostly disappointed with myself. I do a halfway decent attempt at prep which isn't good enough b/c time/stress/kids/interruptions/deadlines/whatever. Then I paint and overdo it b/c I have no self control. The result is dripping and imperfect. I've done a shift boot collar, a driver cubby, my cupholder trim ring, and two sets of wheel logos (de-chrome + paint). Some came out ok but the juice was not worth the squeeze. I also would prefer the current surface finish to a painted surface. But mostly I'll pay someone else for finish work like that b/c it's not my strength and my list of mods is way too long to prioritize the dozens of hours I'd need to spend to do a semi-ok job. And I'd still see every imperfection.

TLDR: me no painty

 

Ok I SUCK at wiring‼️ I can run and hide it as good or better than most but I ABSOLUTELY HATE Terminating wires‼️ As I get them mixed up all to often…
So tell you what send me the parts and I will give them a shot for you. And trust me it won’t be as nice as new plastic from the dealer but I’m hoping it will pass inspection. Dad was a auto body man & painter I picked up a few pointers spending many late nights losing my finger prints that just grow back later.
And you’re correct you can’t rush paint…

 

I may take you up on that. I'd much rather crimp wire.

Let's get this cruise thing done first before I pile on. This '05 is _supposed_ to be the "no mods" truck but that's already out the window so I'm trying to keep it to "reasonable" mods for now. But I could see sending you cupholders and those vents.

What I really want is someone to do the vinyl on the doors for me but shipping door panels would be quite ridiculous.

I think as far as blackout goes in this truck, the HVAC and rear bumper are on the list. Still can't come up with a plan I like on the rear bumper, paint match with aftermarket or go steel or leave as-is b/c it's so clean even though it's crometastic.

I do wonder if I can somehow get the black HVAC background and keep my board / skip the solder stuff. The gauges don't bug me that much but the matte polka dot silver background texture I find a bit more annoying. But probably easier to just solder and get the new blackout set and then figure out the harness.

Anyway, like I said, cruise and front suspension then this thing drives 1000+ to PDX on the 20th.

 

Sorry but …“vinyl on the doors”… and …”the matte polka dot silver background texture I find a bit more annoying”…

As for the bumper and exterior *I* would leave bone stock. It just looks “clean and pure” in my eyes. You can purchase factory painted door handles. And or do the factory side mirrors with turn signals in them I think they look classy but I’m an old man. And I’m not you!