Climate Control Swap

[TheDarkKnight]

Alright, this should be an easily found question/answer while searching, and either I'm blind or the first to ask.

Is it possible to directly change out the T4R limited climate control system or the 2001-2002 twist knob AC/heat for the slider control I have in my 2000 4Runner sport? I'd like to do that or use an aftermarket replacement.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JBurt]

Pita

 

[arzipper]

I checked that at one point as well. I have climate control and was looking to go the the standard knobs. I took a look at the diagrams at the dealership parts desk and they aren't anywhere near plug and play. It's not even like you could make a wiring harness to make them compatible. They just operate completely differently.

 

[volkinator]

If the dials/sliders work like they do in other vehicles, they pull on cables to open/close baffles and such. Definitely not electronic like the climate control. And when I took it apart in our 'racecar' I don't think there'd be any chance of putting it all back together now... I can imagine it'd be a PItA.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

How about I scrap the climate control deal and focus on interchanging the two manual setups. The 2001 twister vs the 2000 slider. Or would that also be a PITA? :juggle:

 

[TheDarkKnight]

:noidea:?

 

[Mgyver1]

How about I scrap the climate control deal and focus on interchanging the two manual setups. The 2001 twister vs the 2000 slider. Or would that also be a PITA? :juggle:

My '02 Tacoma had the twister dials like the '01/'02 4Runners. There are no cables running in or out of the climate control, it was all electrical connections. So you may be able to convert the limited controls to the '01 dials.

 

[MountainBiker]

lotsa work!

I looked at this when my 4rnr climate control was failing. I even took the "manual" unit (which has all electrical output, as was stated above) out of my '02 Taco to compare all the wiring to the 4rnr. Totally different! I also have the wiring diagrams (4rnr and Taco), and the 4rnr automatic CC is nearly 100% different from the "manual" systems on both vehicles.

If you still want to do it, start with a donor vehicle, so that you can pull out every single part and wiring that you need. Before this, I would recommend studying the wiring diagrams and the service manual, so that you have a plan when you start scavenging parts.

Or, you could just get your automatic climate control repaired, assuming that a malfunction is why you are pursuing this. There is a forum member that does the repair service.

 

[Jason B]

I remember a guy who had manual controls and wanted the limited digital setup and was able to swap that out, so it must work?

 

[Spktyr]

I remember a guy who had manual controls and wanted the limited digital setup and was able to swap that out, so it must work?

I came across that in a search, I think. If it's the same guy, he basically replaced everything from the firewall back. So, yeah, it's possible. It just doesn't make sense unless you feel like totally rebuilding the dashboard and everything under it - and you have a donor vehicle. It's not just a matter of pull unit, swap new unit in with a couple of adapters.

 

[Jason B]

Cool. And from what this thread says, the 96-97 sliders can’t be swapped for the 98-02 KNOBS as they are automatic like the digital limited controls in the guts behind the dash??

 

[128keaton]

Cool. And from what this thread says, the 96-97 sliders can’t be swapped for the 98-02 KNOBS as they are automatic like the digital limited controls in the guts behind the dash??

99-00 still had the manual cables. 01 was the switch to full digital.

 

[Jason B]

Oh, you’re right!

99-00 SR5 has 2 knobs and 2 levers.

The 2001-2002 style has 3 knobs and automatic servos

 

[Jungoes]

If your digital climate controller is failing..you can repair this . The loose connections are on the board behind the LCD panel.. the resistor arrays is whats loose.Not the boards that are easily accessible it's the one you need to cut the plastic box supporting the LCD panel, once removed you will see what's loose. I sent detailed instructions to a member via PM on how to repair he said he will post up some pics..I will follow up on this. Very easy repair.

 

[Toyotayoda]

swapped my sliders using controller from 98 model, not a PITA. you have to move the wires n the connector is all.

 

[RMGulchin1]

Does anyone have a part number for the tiny metal piece inside the climate control knob? I lost one of mine and now the knob won't attach properly. Do I need to order an entire new knob?

 

[TonyB66]

Oh, you’re right!

99-00 SR5 has 2 knobs and 2 levers.

The 2001-2002 style has 3 knobs and automatic servos

So, do I understand correctly that the above from a '99 or '00 is a rather straight-forward swap into a Limited for those same years?

 

[JessV]

Slides to knobs

My question is how do you disconnect the cables without braking anything not sure if I need to use the cables from the donor or just reuse my current ones I want to do this swap on my 97 SR5 the donor is a 98 limited (Canada truck) ?