Ultimate Camping Mod- rear window up down (4th and 5th gen)

4th and 5th Gen ULTIMATE CAMPING MOD!
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Several years ago I got sick of having to crawl up to the front, put the key in the ignition and roll the rear window up or down to regulate heat while camping in my 4R, so I developed a kit that allows you to roll the rear window up and down with the ignition off as well as pop the rear hatch while camping. The newest wireless kits offer two safety features: 1) they require you press button D along with the intended actuation button. In other words, If I want the window to go up, I hold button D and button A. This is a safety lock to prevent mis actuation and 2) I now have an on / off switch that is included. This turns the kit on / off and can either be installed by drilling a hole in your back panel (no wires to run) or just tuck it behind the rear hatch access panel.

Style 1- Wireless - $200 shipped

The wireless kit is the easiest to install- most likely you will finish in half an hour. Includes weatherproof electronics enclosure, 2 remote fobs, zip ties, taps, a few extra panel clips in case you damage yours taking the back panel off and very detailed instructions



https://www.youtube.com/embed/dR3UNi0xS0M

Style 2- Wired hard mounted switches – $100 shipped

The wired hard mounted switch kits allow you to install the switch / button where you want. Install is an hour or two. Includes everything required to install (harnesses, switches, taps, zip ties, spare clips and full detailed instructions). Note- the switch included is the black flush mount shown below.




*Note, kits supplied with a slightly different wire than shown. I switched to a smaller wire for easier installation*

I have also done kits where the install is 3 of these - one for up, one for down and one for pop.


https://www.youtube.com/embed/5pwda4-dfDk


Style 3- Hobby box - $150 shipped
If you’d like a physical button but don’t want to drill into your panels or have switches exposed, I offer hobby boxes with the switches installed. Below are a few examples, but message for more details.





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FAQ


1. What years is this designed for?
All 4th and 5th gen 4runners. Note for 2010+ limited along with 2020+ with smart key, operation is slightly different. With the smart key system, it knows when the keys are in the vehicle. Therefore, the window up / down and window lock function do not work when they are in the vehicle. The hatch pop function will work, provided the vehicle is unlocked. That said, what people do instead is they throw their keys in the hitch, or into a surf lock box (see below). This allows for full operation like normal.


2. What does each button do?
Tapping the two way switch down unlocks the vehicle, holding it down for 2 seconds begins to roll the rear window down. Tapping up locks, and holding up starts to bring the window up.
The red button pops the rear hatch when the vehicle is unlocked.

3. I have a dog and am worried about him opening the back while driving. What can be done?
Luckily the system only works when the vehicle is locked. Once you start moving, the vehicle will lock, and the button will become useless. Luckily as noted above, while camping in the back you are able to lock and unlock the vehicle.


4. What is the install like?
Installation should be about an hour and requires no soldering or wire crimping. You have to remove some panels (I include instructions on how to do so), tap into 3 wires (I include 3M vampire taps and full schematics) as well as install the switches. I’d guess 5% of customers ask questions on the installation, but I have never had anyone say they couldn’t do it.

5. I want something custom, do you do that?
Yes, happy to do custom jobs. Just let me know what you are thinking

6. How do I pay?
a. email me at jessetoedtman@gmail.com and I can invoice you. I prefer Zelle
For payment as all the other services are loaded with fees now.

7. Further Questions?
Email me at Jessetoedtman@gmail.com – I will usually respond within a day or less.

 

What a great idea! I'll have to git me one of those.

 

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Big props to the OP and his kit. I bought one off of T4r.org and installed it, slightly modified the install to put everything on the hatch. Works great and is super handy for camping in the back because you can lock and unlock all the doors and run the rear window right from the hatch, no key needed. OP is very accessible and trustworthy, fast shipping too. Highly recommended.

 

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Is there any reason this won't work on a Gen 3 4Runner?

 

The rear window function would work just fine, but the pop wont work as it doesnt have an electric motor release like the 4 and 5th gens have.

 

OK, thanks! Still on my list.

 

I also have one and mounted it to my Rago Fab modular storage system. Great piece of kit and great customer service from @nytosc!!

 

Any pics? would like to see how you did it.

 

Here ya go

 

Nice, I like it. That's what I'm going to do. I don't like drilling holes in my new 4runner.
Thanks for the idea!

 

That's why I did it this way, no way I was drilling holes and this way it's removable. Took a little more effort to route it this way but it still went pretty quick. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Just wanted to say thanks to Jesse for creating an awesome kit with such detailed and thorough instructions. Took less than an hour to install and works great. Wish I had this on my last camping trip, will definitely come in handy next time. Here’s a bump to this old thread for a great product!

 

+1

I've installed 2 now (in different trucks) and really like them a lot. Super useful. My first one is over 2 years old and has been functioning 100%.

 

It’s one of those mods you wonder why Toyota didn’t make it a standard feature/option on the 4R!

 

Do you have any idea how different this would be for a 3rd gen? This is amazing and I'd love to do it in mine.

 

Neat !

 

It would be cool if you could install the hatch button on a splitter and have one up front and one in the back too!

 

There’s no reason why you can’t. Just parallel two momentary push buttons. Run one up front with a long enough wire pair and install it where ever it is convenient.

Jesse’s got a solid kit and instructions. If you want to get another pushbutton for a remote (up front) hatch pop installation, here a good one that I used:

Momentary Pushbutton Ulincos U16A1 black 16mm
U16A1 Momentary Pushbutton Switch Black Metal Shell for 16mm Hole | 16mm | Products | Ulincos

Tip: Before cutting and drilling into your 4R plastic trim, practice with a piece of heavy dense cardboard or plastic. Get the exact size drill bit (for example, 16mm for the above switch), drill into the practice material and make sure the pushbutton fits. For the rectangular toggle switch get another piece of plastic and cut and trim the exact outline for the switch to fit. Then use that as a template to mark the spot on the 4R to cut. Cut a little smaller and use a file to slowly remove material to make a perfect fit.

 

That looks great, thank you!

 

Cleaned up the OP- I have kits in hand ready to go!

 

Greetings. I sent you a PM.

 

Hey Ralph, sorry I missed the first message. Still got them and can have one out tomorrow for you. Please shoot me an email at toedtmanj@gmail.com

 

Install looks like it's going to save a lot of stress of finding the key to put the window up when your hands are full or it's raining installed it just inside the rear passenger driver side door to the right easy to get to.

 

Bumping this old thread as I periodically get emails asking if I still make the kits. Yes I do and can ship same or next day. Shoot me an email with any questions!

 

I just bought the kit myself and wanted to go the sane route you went. Anything in particular I have to be aware off...thanks in advance sir

 

It's been a good 2 years since I installed my last one (I've done 2). Only advice that comes to mind while looking at that image is to check for clearance under the fascia cover for the switches before you drill. I didn't check for interference and as you can see I had to plug a hole that ended being drilled in a bad spot because the switch I put in it hit the subframe of the hatch beneath it. Locate your switches like mine and not like the hole plug and you'll be fine.

I think I also had to play around with a few different potential grounding locations because not every bolt going into metal is a ground... Some have insulation behind them and don't allow for electrical ground. So check the circuit before you button things back up.

Ummm.... Let's see ... You can lock your keys in the truck with this mod so be careful with that, even while installing. Don't leave your keys on the ignition. I learned that from experience.

Oh also IIRC on my harness supplied by Jesse there was an eye connector that was too big to pass through something. I don't recall what, now. But I recall I had to cut a connector off and pass a wire through before reinstalling the connector so be ready to maybe have to do that.

That's all my feeble cranium can pump out right now .. .. Good luck....

 

Lol..you gave me more information than expected sir. Thank you so much and can't wait to have it installed. Jesse is a great guy and shipped immediately after receiving payment.