[klr toy]

Ok, so I thought I would post an update...
I managed to get all of the parts I thought I would need to try this swap. I picked up the thermistor complete with tube that attaches to the heater box, photo sensor, amplifier , control panel, and the complete heater box assembly from a wrecked Limited Crewmax. (The wrecker would not sell me just the servo motor and damper). I plugged in the control panel and had the same results as previously reported. I then plugged in the amplifier which gave me control of the fan speeds, but still had some issues with the auto function. I then plugged in the thermistor behind the driver's knee panel and ran the tube to where it is supposed to be located behind the cigarette lighter panel. There is an existing place for it, the hole just needs to be cut out for it to be installed properly. I also installed the photo sensor in the top of the dash. After much searching, I could not find the connector for this sensor as it was not plugged in behind the dummy knock-out as most of the other connectors are. I did not add the final servo motor or damper yet as this involves the complete removal of the heater box assembly from the dash. The additional servo motor also requires a different harness which basically adds it in series with all of the other servos. I believe this network is all tied together via the canbus system. It appears as though the harness is the more or less the same, just one less motor in the series, so if the extra servo is not installed, then this harness does not need to be replaced.

I then put my dash all back together and tested everything out. I took my truck for a drive and it appears that I now have a fully functioning auto climate control in my SR5 Crewmax!!! All of the temp dials work as they should as well as the manual and auto functions. I will have to check into the programmable defaults, but so far I couldn't be happier. I may just change a couple of the startup settings. The only 2 things that I did not add yet are the extra damper and servo motor and to connect the photo sensor. The heater box is the same, they just add the damper to the limited one. Even the mounts for the motor are in the correct place. It appears as though the network is completely disregarding the missing servo as it doesn't see any open connections since I didn't change the harness. I think I can live without the 1 or 2 degree difference the photo sensor is supposed to adjust for also. I will go back to the wrecker tomorrow and see if I can find out where the connector is hiding for it anyways.


So in a nutshell, yes it can be done!!! None of it will work without the correct amplifier. This whole swap took me about an hour or so to complete. I am a mechanic, but I think anybody else can do this swap easily. You just need a philips screwdriver and a ten mm socket. (and all of the right parts).
Wooooohooooo! Glad to be the Guinnea Pig on this one....