Unique Climate Control Question

I'm sure I'm coming off strange asking this, but has anyone actually look into downgrading their dual zone auto climate control to a base manual climate control? I am quite aware how auto climate works, it is perfectly fine in my other vehicles while commuting in the city; although I am beyond annoyed while traveling and feel like I am fighting the climate control half of the time. Sometimes after spending time outside, it may be 60 degrees, but after miles on a hike, I want the AC to stay on the AC, yet when I'm driving up in elevation and the temp drops to 40 degrees, I'm suddenly having the heater come on despite still being hot from activities.

There is no point of trying to upgrade to the auto due to adding multiple electronics, but would I be able to downgrade easily with an SR5 panel and forego the auto. Dual zone isn't worth anything in a cab this small.

 

Not gonna happen unless you’re super dedicated. You would need a new control panel, new instrument panel wiring harness, new HVAC box or at least a large part of if, blower motor resistor, and a number of parts. I remember when the parts were detailed out to go from manual to auto…it was extensive. Same deal for going from auto down to manual.

I haven’t experienced those complaints with auto, but I’m not at high elevation. I find setting it to auto and choosing a temp works well for me, although sometimes it’s a bit shy to actually get you to the set temp quickly. For example it was barely running the heater on a warm engine when it was 35 out in order to maintain 70. It was definitely colder than 70 in the cab, so that was annoying. I have accidentally touched the thermistor a few times, I probably should change mine for a more accurate ambient temp reading.

Long story short, it is a very involved job to convert either direction, I’d probably throw away that idea.

Here’s the description of parts needed to go from manual to auto. You’d need the opposite to go backwards.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dual-zone-climate-controls.598819/page-4#post-20118395

 

Is rolling windows down not an option?

 

Or just turn off Auto and run it manually?

 

It still sets the temperature thermostatically and varies the temperature of the air to get there. I'd rather just tell it I want cold air or warm air or medium air. Luckily I have a SR, so it is basic.

 

Makes sense. I'm a windows down with floor heat on kinda guy so I don't have a dog in the fight.

 

I appreciate the responses and that is what I had figured, but just wanted to see in case the $100 replacement panel would happen to work. Not a big deal but now I know! And part of my problem actually is having the windows open because I too enjoy the window/heater combo; the temperature fluctuation is what is causing my issue but I'll manage.

 

I would prefer the older style of heat/ cool also. It maybe cold out but I don't need 200 degree air coming out the dash vents trying to air-fry the steering wheel and my hands.
Changing the 'mode' is annoying since it demands attention/looking where as old ones had fixed and predictable positions that were easy to see.

 

Are you running it on auto? I find that any heating pretty much goes out the vents by the doors and the floor with a little bit puffing out of the defroster vent. I don’t find it to be very roasting at all, unless my left hand is at 9;00 on the wheel. But I usually turn that vent towards the door anyways.

If I mess with the mode or fan speed, then all bets are off because that essentially puts it in manual. I find automatic systems difficult to control in manual mode, so try to avoid doing that as much as I can. The only exception is choosing defrost, where I roll the temp up to max until that’s done and then I go right back to auto at my chosen room temp.

 

I have the temp set around 70 ( not synced) and often change the fan speed and vent angles to limit the air-fryer effect.

I'll have to read the manual or mess with it when parked again to see what the big problem is. Just kind of overwhelmed by auto this-and-that.

 

Essentially, auto mode wants you to choose a temp and it chooses the right air temp to blow, and the speed and location of which to distribute it. If not synched, then it will try its best to keep both passengers at their preferred temp they each chose.

As soon as the air speed or vents are changed manually, it’s no longer really in auto mode and it kind of just runs however it’s set. The temp knob becomes misleading in that case because the temp no longer describes anything tangible, and the temp knobs really start to represent more of an older style blue to red temp knob. So imagine Lo/60 as far left blue and 85/hi as far right red (not politically lol).

 

Thanks, I'll try that.