I'm looking at an '07 DC and cannot see a logical place to mount the brake controller (Prodigy). The truck supposedly comes "pre-wired" with a harness for the controller, but where in the heck do you mount it? I can't figure this one out; any help would be appreciated. Is this a major faux paus for the design dudes at Toyota, proving some folks contention that they still don't understand the needs of a "real" truck?
I'm looking at an '07 DC and cannot see a logical place to mount the brake controller (Prodigy). The truck supposedly comes "pre-wired" with a harness for the controller, but where in the heck do you mount it? I can't figure this one out; any help would be appreciated. Is this a major faux paus for the design dudes at Toyota, proving some folks contention that they still don't understand the needs of a "real" truck?
great question - I was just thinking that exact same thing today!
There's too much center console - It may have to sit by the driver right knee - luckily I'm only 5'6" tall so it won't be a problem of leg room for me.
Looks like the only place for it is below the dash, either left or right of the steering wheel. The salesman said that the left hand position is where they were for the ride and drives. This seems too low to me, and not as good as the right hand recess on my 2000 Tundra. All the hoopla about towing and the controller position seems like an afterthought. In any case, Toyota is offering the Tekonsha Prodigy controller as an option. I think that this unit has to be mounted close to level for the inertial switch to function. The bottom of the dash fascia does appear to be level--just too low. I'll just have to adapt.
so with the wiring pigtail that comes with the truck - where do you plug it in? I'm thinking of buying a Prodigy online for about $105 shipped, but want to make sure I can install it myself before committing to the purchase.
If it doesn't need adjustment like the cheaper units, then I guess being out of reach won't be too important.
Looks like the only place for it is below the dash, either left or right of the steering wheel. The salesman said that the left hand position is where they were for the ride and drives. This seems too low to me, and not as good as the right hand recess on my 2000 Tundra. All the hoopla about towing and the controller position seems like an afterthought. In any case, Toyota is offering the Tekonsha Prodigy controller as an option. I think that this unit has to be mounted close to level for the inertial switch to function. The bottom of the dash fascia does appear to be level--just too low. I'll just have to adapt.
The Prodigy is not a traditional inertial controller (i.e. one that uses a mechanical pendulum to detect deceleration). The Prodigy contains solid state accelerometers that constantly detect "down" (the direction of gravity) and, at the instant the brakes are applied, lock that into its internal calculation of actual braking deceleration. The net effect is a Prodigy can be mounted as much as 70 degrees or so off of horizontal and still work correctly.
FWIW, I have my Prodigy mounted just below the fuse panel on the left lower side of the instrument panel...basically just inside the driver door. It's at about a 45 degree angle with the horizontal. My knees clear it ok (despite a 34 inch inseam) when getting in and out of the cab. I'll see if I can dig up a photo of it.
__________________ Ray
Natural White '03 Access Cab V8 SR5 4X4 with TRD Off Road Suspension, Limited Slip Differential, and Towing Package
Towing & Performance Mods: JBA Headers, Gibson Muffler, 4.30 gears, Michelin LTX M/S Tires, Hellwig Anti-Roll bar, Prodigy Trailer Brake Controller, Autometer Z-Series Transmission Temperature Gauge, Magnefine Transmission Filter
Utility & Misc Mods: Genuine Toyota OEM Step (Nerf) bars, Peragon Tonneau Cover, TracRac Rack and Rail System, Muth Signal Mirrors, Pop&Lock tailgate lock, TruSpeed speedometer calibrator, "$20" RS-3200 Upgrade, Auto-Dimming mirror w/ Temp and Compass, Clear/Red/Clear Taillights with Silverstar Signal bulbs, 3M Clear Bra
It's done. I mounted it on the (sloped) dash to the left of the steering column; it sits at about a 45 degree angle. As Ray noted, this works with a Prodigy; it can handle up to 70 degrees of tilt, according to the manufacturer's specs. It was either here, or low at the bottom of the dash panel, at about the same position, east-west. To tell the truth, it's not a good spot, I've bumped it with my knee getting in and out a couple of times already. But, the low position doesn't seem any better, I'd just bump it with a different part of my leg. So, I'll just live with it.
For my maiden tow, I put a ton of hay in my two horse trailer and hauled it out to the barn. The truck will tow, no doubt. Power, stability, handling, braking, it's all there. But for all its capability, and all of the towing capacity hype, you'd think they would have provided a decent place to mount a BC. What were they thinking? Most likely, they simply weren't. I consider this to be a semi-major design screw-up on the part of Toyota.
Hey Spang - do you have the tow package with the mirrors? If so, how do you like them? I see you're in Newport. I was just there a couple weeks ago. It was gorgeous on the coast.
I've got the tow package, but not the mirrors. I wanted them, but the dealer's computer search of inventory available for dealer trade didn't come up with a truck so equipped. Though it's an "available" option, it doesn't look like many trucks with them installed have yet come off the line; or at least they haven't been delivered to the Pacific NW. But, the dealer let me take the truck on the lot home and hitch it up to my trailer to do a mirror test (small town, they know me!). Doing this convinced me that, for my trailer at least, the stock mirrors are fine. Outside mirror to mirror, its a full 10" wider than my '05 DC. So, in hindsight, I'm glad that I didn't get the big mirrors, as the regular issue ones will fully do the job for me.
And by the way, it's now storming like the devil here on the coast, but that's the way we expect it here in the winter.
I should go hook up my Tundra to my trailer (in storage and winterized)and check out the mirrors. I'm pretty sure I will still want the extended mirrors as I needed them with my 2005 Silverado 1500.
I put my controller to the rt of the steering colum about 2 inches off the side of the center console. Finding the plug for the harness was a bit of a chore but everything is working.
I put my controller to the rt of the steering colum about 2 inches off the side of the center console. Finding the plug for the harness was a bit of a chore but everything is working.
any hints for finding the plug? My prodigy arrived yesterday.
any hints for finding the plug? My prodigy arrived yesterday.
I pulled the kick pannel off via the owners manual. Then look up toward the fuse box you will see a bundle of wires coming down. My plug was taped to this bundle with white tape on the back side . There is a dummy plug in the harness easy to get out though. Just to make things fun the plug is white also. I untaped the plug to make it easy to work with. I think after doing it I could get to it without removing the kick panel. So you may want to look before pulling the kick panel off, althoug it may be hard to untape.
I pulled the kick pannel off via the owners manual. Then look up toward the fuse box you will see a bundle of wires coming down. My plug was taped to this bundle with white tape on the back side . There is a dummy plug in the harness easy to get out though. Just to make things fun the plug is white also. I untaped the plug to make it easy to work with. I think after doing it I could get to it without removing the kick panel. So you may want to look before pulling the kick panel off, althoug it may be hard to untape.
Piece of cake, the easiest brake unit i have ever installed. I don't know why they have 5 wires in there. I think it was the green one for the lights. I didn't hook it up, just taped the end. Everything works on the trailer, so i must me ok.
Brake controller placement in '07?
. There is a dummy plug in the harness easy to get out though. Just to make things fun the plug is white also. I untaped the plug to make it easy to work with. I think after doing it I could get to it without removing the kick panel. So you may want to look before pulling the kick panel off, althoug it may be hard to untape.
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