CM owners, anyone relocate the rear window button? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

Curb71 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 03:11 AM

I think its a pain to have the rear window button where it is. I think it would be nice to have it under the stereo by the aux input or anywhere but where it is. Anyone done this or have some ideas about where/how to move it?

streg99 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 07:29 AM

I was wondering the exact same thing after I realized I left the window down for an entire evening. Pop out one of the blanking plates, relocate the switch. Seems simple enough, but I will hold off until another does the same.

PAUL FOX · #3 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 09:12 AM

Below the stereo seems like a cool place to put it.....only I don't have any spots open. Seat Heater Switches, Aux & Glass Break Mic.

Didn't Toyota change the switch to the right side for '08? I wonder if the connector/harness is long enough to switch sides on the '07?

Also, what is with the different type of switch for '08 and how does that work?

mtusrsmith · #4 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 09:16 AM

Many have done it, myself included.

There is not enough wire on the factory harness to reach, you will have to cut and splice some in. This is the procedure I used (may want to read #6 before starting):

1. Remove the plastic nut that holds the drivers side kick panel in place. Pull up on the plastic door sill to remove the sill and then the kick panel.

2. Remove the two bolts holding the lower dash cover in place and pull on the lower dash cover to remove it. There are a few wiring harnesses to unplug in order to remove it, including the one for the window switch.

3. Remove the window switch by releasing the tabs that hold it in place.

4. Remove the upper dash cover by pulling it away from the dash. There is a wiring harness on each side of the steering column to unplug, as well as four clips that hold the vinyl in place surrounding the steering column. It takes a little wiggling to get the a/c vents to clear. I suggest lowering and extending the steering column all the way.

5. Remove the silver plate with the tow/haul button in it by releasing the clips that hold it in place. Be careful with the clips as they are plastic and mine were pretty stiff. Remove the wiring harness from the tow/haul button and remove the plate from the dash.

6. You'll notice at this point that the spot next to the tow/haul button is the correct size but that the window switch will not fit. This is because the grooves in the opening do not match the ribs on the sides of the switch. Using the smallest drill bit I own like a router bit, I carved new grooves in the correct places to allow the window switch to fit. I was careful, but not overly concerned about the appearance of the new grooves, since they are not visible when the switch is in place.

7. I cut the wiring harness for the window switch about three inches from the end, and spliced in the new wires using red butt connectors. I used 18ga. wire because that's what I had. Your local stereo shop should have multi-conductor cable that will allow you to use different color wires to eliminate confusion (there are five wires in the harness). I happened to have some multi-conductor cable at work. I stripped the wires and put the butt connectors on one at a time because I did not disconnect my battery and I don't know if any of the wires are hot with the key off.

8. Run your new wires behind your dash and connect them to the correct ones at the old location. Plug the harness into the window switch and test it before reassembling. Be sure to turn on your headlights and make sure the backlight in the switch works.

9. When you go to install the blank that was next to the tow/haul button in the hole where your window switch was, it will not be flush because the hole for the window switch is deeper than the blank is thick. I simply did not push it all the way in so that it sits flush (but the clips are not clipped). Your option entirely.

10. Reassemble and then sit back and marvel at your accomplishment.

I would say that anyone with modest mechanical and electrical skills should be able to perform this mod. My opinion on difficulty is a 3 out of 10.

Curb71 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 03:39 PM

Thanks for the detailed instructions. However, I have almost no mechanical/electrical skills so this seems like more of a 9 out of 10 for me

Without a nice DIY tutorial with lots of pics I dont think this is something I could do.

mxsjw · #6 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curb71

Thanks for the detailed instructions. However, I have almost no mechanical/electrical skills so this seems like more of a 9 out of 10 for me

Without a nice DIY tutorial with lots of pics I dont think this is something I could do.

Ah come on now...you can do it. We are all here to help.

See here...> Thanks to this great forum. Doing things I have never done before

and here...> After reading "got bored thread"...

and here...> Relocating rear pwer window switch???

OTR · #7 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 05:48 PM

I have done it and could'nt be happier. I actually use the window more often because the switch is in plain sight. It's also nice for the passanger to be able to use also. It's not a very hard modification, just take your time and to ensure that you give yourself enough wire before the plug/connector.

Curb71 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 06:20 PM

Thanks for finding another thread about this. I searched but did not find anything. I see them talking about how the switches are "keyed". Besides not being able to put the switch is certain places, I dont understand what that means. From that third link mxsjw provided it shows the switch here http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...h-img_4186.jpg but it cannot be swapped with the aux input? what about putting it where the tow/haul button is? Just trying to see what options there are and which would be easiest.

OTR · #9 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 08:35 PM

To my memory I did have to file a the dash a little bit in order for the switch to fit correctly. It was not hard at all.

mtusrsmith · #10 (**permalink**) 07-24-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curb71

Thanks for finding another thread about this. I searched but did not find anything. I see them talking about how the switches are "keyed". Besides not being able to put the switch is certain places, I dont understand what that means. From that third link mxsjw provided it shows the switch here http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...h-img_4186.jpg but it cannot be swapped with the aux input? what about putting it where the tow/haul button is? Just trying to see what options there are and which would be easiest.

I put mine next to the tow/haul button.

asianflava · #11 (**permalink**) 07-25-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtusrsmith

I put mine next to the tow/haul button.

I've seen it there on some people's pics. Mine is on the other side of the steering wheel. Maybe they moved it on the 08-09s?

mtusrsmith · #12 (**permalink**) 07-25-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asianflava

I've seen it there on some people's pics. Mine is on the other side of the steering wheel. Maybe they moved it on the 08-09s?

I should clarify--I put mine to the right of the tow/haul button, in the middle slot of those three. I think the 08 and newer have it on the right side of the steering wheel but to the left of the tow/haul button, on the lower dash cover. I don't think that would be much better than where mine was to start with (next to the bed light switch on the left side of the steering wheel).

OTR · #13 (**permalink**) 07-25-2008, 07:14 PM

Mine is located next to the audio aux. input. I want to relocate the RSCA and TC buttons next to the tow/haul next.

Curb71 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 05:02 PM

Finally decided to move mine. thank you to mtusrsmith for the detailed instructions and everyone else for the input. I moved mine by the Tow/Haul button. I like it there so when I put the truck in park the rear window button is right next to my hand. It was a quite easy mod to do.