DIY Tru-Speed install - 2000 4x4 Access Cab

[cajuntundra]

I bought the Tru-speed in March and didn't get up the nerve to hook it up until today. This is a step by step account of what I did to get it installed. This would not have been possible without the help from Mustang67408...He made this install 100x's easier

First the tools needed to complete the install:

Solder gun ( one that works), flux, solder, wire cutters, wire strippers, philips head, 10mm socket, knife or razor, and electrical tape. I think that is everything.......

Turn off everything connected to and disconnect Battery before starting.....

With the phillips head unscrew the 2 screws that hold the black plastic trim in front of the Instrument cluster. It bends so you can get it out pretty easy. Now unscrew the 4 phillip head screws that hold the instrument pod in place. It will take a little twisting and turning but the pod will come out pretty quick. At this point the shifter should be in low or 1st gear (all the way down). I rested the pod on the steering column, then unhook the conectors in the back. Now you can get the wire cutters and soldering gun ready....While the gun is warming up, run the tru-speed from the glove box to the Instrument pod side, behind the radio and ac ducts.

Find the brown connector that plugged in the back of the pod, there is a blue/yellow wire, that is the magic wire, the speed sensor wire. Cut that wire, leave enough room from the plastic connector to work with. Now take the yellow TS (truspeed) wire and solder it to the blue/yellow wire on the side that goes to the instrument pod. Next take the green TS wire and solder it to the blue/yellow wire, the side leading into the depths of the Tundra..........

We're getting the guys, won't be much longer.

Now it is time to run some power to this bad boy!! There is a connector pin called C-pin 11, it is the blue connector that hooks to the instrument pod. The 7th wire on this connector is is black/yellow, this is what I tapped into to get power. As for the ground wire I recommend you check it, check it, check it, and when you think you have a good one call someone to come over and have them show you where a good ground is. I had some issues with this part and it might end up costing me a Kenwood DVD/Nav headunit. Make sure the ground is tight!!!!! Mine wasn't and a CEL showed up and while I was clearing it I might have blown my headunit. So......check that ground guys and make damn sure it is secure, the same should go for all of your connections. Soldering is the way to go without a doubt, I understand that some might not have one or be comfortable using one on there rigs, that's all good as long as your connections are secure. Last thing you want is to have to tear into your dash when your 4hrs into a 8hr trip.......

Now back to the install......I ended up grounding mine to tabb that you screw the black trim around the radio to. If you push up on the air vent on the left of the radio there is a screw right there. After a few times of taken that trim off I lost some of the screws. With the trim off, I got a nut, bolt, and lock washer that fit the hole. I got one of those round eye wire attachments, connected the ground wire to it and attached it to the metal tabb.............Road test time!!!!!................

I really think it has taken me longer to type this than it did to install the tru-speed.

You could probaly do this part alone, but not only do I not suggest it, but I wouldn't try it and would smack anyone who did. Get a buddy and a GPS and hit the highway. At first I set the cruise at 70mph and the gps was reading 80 or higher. As you adjust it 1) you will feel the truck shifting differently as you adjust the tru-speed 2) the truck will try to keep up with whatever speed you have set the cruise at. I recommend setting the cruise until you get it close then turn the cruise OFF and dial it in with you holding a steady speed. This part is where you need to be careful, I was so caught up with watching the speedodometer move around by itself that I almost put us in the back of a tractor trailer Just let the person you put in charge of adjusting the tru-speed do there job, and you do yours DRIVE!! Now you should be good to geaux You got your speedo set to the right reading and you also have another DIY mod/install under your belts. I hope this helps someone out there who is on the bubble about whether or not you want a Tru-Speed. I just did this today and about 3hrs after I finished it started pouring, I'll let everyone know what I think in a few days. Right now I love it and think anyone with larger tires needs this before any other mods, at least put it on the list.

I wanna say that I ordered this unit about a month and a half ago, when it came in I took it to my local 4x4 shop, knowing before that they have hooked one up in a truck just like mine...CYPRESSKNEE's rig. I think he got it installed for 1.5hrs labor. I show up with Tru-Speed in hand and the faces they made where that of horror!! I was told how hard and exspensive it would be and really got the impression that they didn't want to fool with it. Not a big deal to me, especially after hearing how they would have to tap into the transmission or something like that. I almost sent it back because every shop I called in town didn't want to mess with it, being a member of TS I did what we all know to do, I searched. That's when I came across mustang's post to someone else about the Tru-speed. I sent him a message and not only did he respond he sent me detailed directions, wiring diagrams, and a guide to what the different connectors look like. All in all I wouldn't have attempted this without this site and the other members on here. Somethings seem harder than others, without trying we will never know.

Victor thanks for the help I really don't think I would have attempted this install if you wouldn't have sent me your directions.

One more thing for those of you wondering, I asked Victor before posting this if it would be ok, he deserves all the credit for this post and install..

Thanks!!

[Tundradrenalin]

Yea, Mustang is pretty much The Man. He guided me through the process as well.

Thanks for writing up your experiences!

[cajuntundra]

I wish I would have taken pictures. If I would have done that then everyone could see how bad my soldering skills are!!