I am in the process of temporarily putting a front driver side door from a 1998 onto my 2000. The reason for this is an entirely different story.

However, I figure I should share my learning and frustrations in the event it helps someone later.

Toyota changed the wiring architecture pretty significantly after the 1998 model year when they introduced the "Multiplex Communication System". The biggest change I see is with how the body ECU communicates with various devices and modules including:

• DOOR LOCK CONTROL
• HORN
• MIRROR HEATER
• POWER WINDOW (REAR)
• REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
• REAR WIPER AND WASHER
• THEFT DETERRENT
• WIRELESS DOOR LOCK CONTROL

When trying to connect the door you will first notice the two large junction connectors the come into the front kick panel from the door do not match. You also cannot re-pin them because the pin-type and layout is completely different for one of the two connectors.

You will also find that the connector for the window motor/regulator is a simple 2-pin on the 98 and 5 pins on the 2000. This comes from changes to the auto-up/down function based on the wiring diagrams.

Swapping the wiring harness is possible if you also change over the window motor. The other individual connections to the speakers, locks, etc. are the same. You may be able to splice in a 2000 wiring harness to the 1998 motor and still get up/down function. I haven't tried this yet but I will be attempting to transfer the harness and will provide an update on what I find.

Anyway, I would assume anything in that list above will not be plug & play between 96-98 and 99-02.

Yes. I would say it's best just to replace the door wiring to your chassis and swap over what you have too. Basically the shells are the same the electronics is very different. Thanks for verifying and your tips. I am sure this will help others down the road.

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I was able to swap a newer harness over onto the 98 door and get everything working without changing components themselves. I repinned the window motor connector and as expected, the only thing lost is the auto up/down. It still rolls up and down just fine. Locks also work with both the switch and FOB. The last thing that will need to be changed is the connector for the mirror. The 98 mirror is not heated so you can repin this connector as well to maintain the ability to adjust it with the switch.

Cheers!