2021 4runner Camping Mod Instructions (Liftgate/Window)

Hello, I want to do the camping mod on my 4runner this weekend. This is the mod that wires an RF switch (or hardwired momentary switch) to the rear liftgate wiring, and allows the rear hatch to be opened from the inside and the rear window to be opened/closed. I have the hardware to do it already. What I don't have is any instructions or wiring diagrams. I have searched all the threads and it looks like quite a few people have done this. I've even found posts that detail the liftgate open circuit, but not the window.

Does anyone on here happen to have instructions for how to wire this full kit that they can post or message me? Or, if no instructions, the wiring diagram for the ECU in the liftgate? This is for a 2021 4runner TRD Off Road.

Thank you for your help!

 

You bought a kit but there were no instructions?

 

Maybe these links would help...

https://www.4runners.com/threads/ultimate-camping-mod-rear-window-up-down-4th-and-5th-gen.6424/

 

Post or PM your email and I'll send you a PDF of the directions. I don't want to be Johnny Q and A though so if there's an issue understanding it, that's your issue to resolve.

 

Daaang G…. Not responding to any other questions would have sufficed. Lol. Just bustin’ yer chops…


I might need those instructions now that I realized i will probably need this mod too

 

Not sure if your 2021 is different, but here’s some information and link to schematics for 4Runners up to MY2019.

See this for connector location of W10. Hatch pop is pin 24 Gray. Window up is pin 16 Pink. Window down is pin 15 Red. Activated to Gnd.
Go to post 164 and 165 for schematics.





To really be sure of the wiring you could get a 2 day subscription to the Toyota TIS and download the wiring diagrams, etc for your model year.
https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=ti_home_search_docs_page

 

The last time I sent instructions to someone they texted me like 156 times over the next month at all hours with random questions so I just like to establish that upfront

 

ha! Yeah, sounds like you have reason to establish some ground rules

 

Just sent you a DM. Promise I won't bug you about them!

 

You can buy an RF switch with FOB to do this mod on Amazon for less than $20. You're essentially just jumping over existing switches. I just need the instructions/diagram to know which wires to tap into

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

Thank you all for responding! I think I have everything I need to kick off the project this weekend now. I've read posts on this forum a few times but hadn't posted before. Super cool that the community here is so engaged and helpful. Wish me luck!

 

Tell me more please

 

Free Tech Support 24/7/365

Jk

 

Let us know how this works out. Everything I’ve seen out there for remote switches are for latching relays. For the rear hatch/window control you’ll want momentary switching.
If you found part numbers please post and provide links.

 

please let us know how this goes and what Amazon link...def interested in doing this

 

Hey Everyone, I got around to doing the mod this weekend. I just finished it up, and it works great. For those that were asking, here is the link to the RF switch I used (includes 2 FOBs):

$16 QIACHIP DC 12V Relay Remote Switch Wireless RF Remote Control Switch 4 Channel Module 433Mhz Transmitter Receiver Kit Universal Remote Controller for Lights Fan Garage Door Opener Gate Car

https://www.amazon.com/QIACHIP-Universal-Wireless-Switches-Transmitter/dp/B07MTYGJHQ/

The only other things you need are wire, electrical tape, connectors/RED splice-taps and patience. Recommended tools are a panel popper, wire strippers, pliers, 10mm socket and screwdrivers. Do your self a favor and don't use blue splice taps because you don't have red splice taps on hand (smaller gauge)... you'll end up doing it over again with red splice taps ... . .

In my install I have all 4 buttons programmed to be momentary switches. "A" turns the rear hatch lights on when held. B performs lock when pressed, and rolls the rear window up when held. C performs unlock when pressed, and rolls the rear window down when held. D pops the hatch open when pressed. All of the wires you are passing through the switch are negative except the wire you need to power the switch.

It turns out that these buttons function differently (and are wired differently) if you have a 4runner with smartkey or no smartkey. Mine is 2021 with smartkey. The functions A and D work regardless of where the smartkey is. Functions B and C (the rear window functions) work if the 4runner doesn't think the smartkey is in the vehicle (this doesn't matter if your runner doesn't have a smartkey). Looking at the forum posts, it looks like some people solved for this by putting their key in a hitch safe when they're camping. I don't think I like that idea, so I'm going to buy an FOB faraday bag on Amazon to see if that works instead. They're only $7. I'll report back on how that works out.

 

What kind of security features?
If someone bought one from Amazon would their remote open your hatch?

 

You have to pair the remote to your RF switch during setup for it to work. Think of it kind of like a garage door remote.

 

Okay, so update on the FOB faraday bag solution for the smartkey 4runners. . . If you have a smart key vehicle you might want one of those bags and a hitch safe if you care about the RF switch rolling down the rear window from inside the vehicle. On vehicles without a smartkey this doesn't matter. Also, the hitch pop function and light function work fine regardless of where the smartkey is. It turns out that smart key vehicles only allow that rear window function with the camping mod if it detects the key outside the vehicle AND does not detect the key inside the vehicle. The only thing I really wanted was to be able to pop the rear hatch from inside, and everything else was a bonus, so I don't think I really care.

With that said, if you DO care about being able to roll down the rear window from inside with a wireless switch AND you have a 4runner with a smartkey you can put your smartkey in a hitch safe (like other posts have suggested) while camping. I didn't like that idea because I wanted to have the ability to start/drive the vehicle if necessary without exiting the vehicle to retrieve the key from the hitch safe (i.e. a bear is trying to get in the car). But, if you have 2 smartkeys (like everyone probably does), then you can leave 1 in your hitch safe when camping and put the other in an RF blocking bag inside the car with you. You can buy these on Amazon starting in the $7 range (just search for faraday bag, or RF blocking bag). The one I tested and verified works is this one:

$10 Faraday Bag for Key Fob (2 Pack), TICONN Faraday Cage Protector - Car RFID Signal Blocking, Anti-Theft Pouch, Anti-Hacking Case Blocker

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Faraday-TICONN-Premium-Protector/dp/B07GDD35GH/ That effectively blocks the 4runner from thinking you have the smartkey inside the car while it is in the bag. Thus, you can have a smartkey in your hitch safe so it detects one outside the vehicle, and one in the vehicle in the RF blocking bag, and the rear window RF remote functions will work. Then, if you need to leave without exiting your vehicle, you can just take the smartkey out of the RF bag you have in the vehicle and start/drive off.

If you have a 4runner with a smartkey and you don't want to deal with the rear window at all, then you can skip wiring the window and will still be able to pop your rear hatch and turn the rear hatch light on/off with an RF switch regardless of where the smarkey is. Electroboy posted a connector diagram a couple posts above labeled W10. The connector looked the same on mine but wiring was slightly different for my vehicle. On my 2021 TRD Off Road 4runner (switching a negative to each), pin 22 allowed me to turn the rear hatch light on when the rear hatch lights were on "door" mode and the hatch is closed. Pin 24 was the hatch pop. Pin 17 was window up/lock, and pin 9 was window down/lock.