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Toyota 4Runner Blind Spot Monitor Mod:
 
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  • Craftsman #82334 Autoranging,
    11 Function Digital Multimeter
  • Klein Tools 409-1010 Long Nose Stripper/Crimping/Cutting Tool
  • Klein J1005 409-J1005 Journeyman Crimping Tool
  • Step-Down Non-Insulated Butt Crimp Connectors
  • Step-Down Heat Shrink Butt Crimp Connectors
  • Seamless Non-Insulated Butt Crimp Connector Kit
  • Electrical Heat Shrink Kit 3:1 Marine Grade Adhesive Lined

  • Factory (unmodified)
    Turn Signal and Hazard Warning Light with DRL
    Wiring Schematic

    Factory (unmodified)
    Navigation Wiring Schematic
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    I earn from qualifying purchases
    Concept:
    After performing the Anytime Camera Mod, I noticed reverse camera's wide angle view is useful while traveling at speed on the highway as a pseudo blind spot monitor.
     
    In the aforementioned mod, I already had installed a switch to activate the reverse / backup camera anytime I wanted, now all I had to do was add the ability for the camera to automatically come on when the turn signals are activated.
     
    What needs to be accomplished:
    The factory Toyota navigation setup has a backup camera system that when the vehicle is put into reverse, it automatically sends a video signal from the backup camera housed within the rear tailgate, up to the nav screen.
     
    A switch will be added to fool the navigation system into thinking the vehicle is in reverse even though we are not. This "anytime backup camera" switch will activate the camera and automatically force the nav screen to change from whatever is currently being displayed on it (such as maps, audio, etc.), to a direct video feed from the camera.
     
    Utilizing a single pole double throw (SPDT) with on-off-on functionality will allow the following:
  • ON - activate the camera anytime on demand
  • OFF - OEM functionality, activate the camera only while in reverse
  • AUTO - automatically activate the camera anytime a turn signal is used
     
    Building the blind spot monitor module:
    We need to build an electronic switching circuit that will fool the navigation system to thinking it is in reverse in two scenarios 1) anytime via a switch or 2) when a turn signal is activated.
     
    In this circuit, one relay will be used to isolate the reverse signal so that it does not back feed into the ecu and fool the nav into thinking it is in reverse. The other two convert each of the negative turn signal feeds to a positive one and route that to the first relay mentioned above.
     
    Here is the Toyota 4Runner blind spot monitor mod, in schematic form that I created which also shows how it is wired into the factory navigation system.
     

    J.A.'s Blind Spot Monitor Schematic

    Since I performed the Anytime Camera Mod and Nav Video Mod previously, the construction of my blind spot monitor mod (pictured below) is esentially an add on to those mods. The schematic posted above though is all encompassing, meaning that if you did not already perform the Anytime Camera mod or the Nav Video mod, no worries, everything is on this schematic to get full functionallity of the Blind Spot Monitor Mod.
     

    Blind Spot Monitor Mod.
    Only two of three needed relays
    are here as I have previously completed the
    "Anytime Backup Camera Mod"

    Blind Spot Monitor Mod.
    Only two of three needed relays
    are here as I have previously completed the
    "Anytime Backup Camera Mod"

    Here you can see the third relay (highlighted)
    that in my situation is located elsewhere

    Installing the Blind Spot Montior Module:
    Begin by removing navigation unit to access the wiring behind it.
     
    Remove driver side lower finish panel for access to driver side interior relay/junction box.
    Start out by disassembling the lower dash area as we need access to the driver side interior relay/junction box. To access this area, first remove the two 10mm bolts holding the lower finish panel on. Pull the panel straight out to disengage 4 plastic clips still holding it on. The trim ring around the key hole will just pop out on it's own as you are doing this. Remove the wire harnesses attached to each of the switches located on the back side of this panel. Also on the back right side of this lower finish panel is the room temperature sensor harness (cooler thermistor), detach this from the panel as well. You may leave the fuel door release and the hood release handles attached to the panel. The panel can be lowered to the floor now.

    Remove driver side
    lower finish panel

    Pull to release 4 clips

    Remove lower bracket:
    Remove two 10mm bolts holding the metal bracket around the bottom of the steering column. Disengage the 2 claws and remove the instrument panel lower left hand bracket. Set bracket aside.

    Remove instrument panel
    lower bracket

    Disengage 2 claws

    Lower down the driver side interior relay/junction box:
    Remove wire clip and wire connector under steering column. Remove three bolts holding driver side interior relay/junction box in place. Remove bolt & bracket. Pull down driver side interior relay/junction box to access back side.

    Remove wire clip
    and wire connector under steering column

    Remove three bolts

    Remove bolt & bracket

    Center Console Removal.
    To remove the center console, start by removing the shifter cover. It is held on with five clips and two claws. To remove you simply pull straight up and back towards the rear of the vehicle. Before you can set the shift cover aside you need to remove any wire harnesses attached to it. In my case I had to remove the DAC switch wiring and the 12v power point wiring. You may have more if you have the seat heaters, rear air suspension or cigarette lighter options.
     

    To remove shift cover
    Pull to release 5 clips

    Next the console cover gets removed, this time there are 6 clips and two claws. To remove, again, pull straight up and back towards the rear of the vehicle.

    To remove console cover
    Pull to release 6 clips

    Before you can lift out the center console itself, you need to remove the upper panel side garnish. To remove, unclip the side covers just in front of and below the cupholders. Then slide rearward to remove.

    To remove side garnish
    Pull to release 1 clip

    Then using a 10mm socket, remove the six bolts holding the console in place.

    Remove six 10mm bolts

    Bolts removed

    Disconnect 4 more harnesses (automatic transmission shift lever illumination, accessory input for stereo, 115v power point and cup holder illumination), then lift out entire console and set aside.

    Lift out center console

    Set console aside

    Center Instrument Cluster Removal.
    To remove the center instrument cluster, start out by opening the storage bin under the climate control assembly. Using a 10mm socket, remove the one bolt that is in there.
     

    Using a 10mm socket

    Remove bolt

    Disengage the 4 clips and remove the air conditioner assembly, and then disconnect the wiring connector on the back.
     

    Pull to release 4 clips

    Pull forward and disconnect wire harness

    Climate control assembly removed

    Now you can remove the center instrument cluster finish panel sub-assembly. First remove 3 bolts using a 10mm socket. Then disengage the 8 clips. At this point you can disconnect the three wire connectors from the hazard lights, rear window control and 4WD selector. Set the panel aside.

    Remove 3 bolts
    Pull to release 8 clips

    Using the 10mm socket, this time with and extension bar, remove 4 bolts holding in the navigation unit. Pull the navigation unit straight out. In order to work on the wiring, you will need to disconnect the 9 wire harnesses on the back side. Then set the navigation unit aside.

    Center instrument cluster finish panel removed

    Remove 4 bolts
    Pull navigation unit straight out

    Remove 4 bolts
    Navigation connectors

    Wire Connections:
    With the navigation unit out of the dashboard, it is time to splice our module into the factory wiring.
     

    Pin Numbering System

    Relay One:
    Identify and cut in half the backup camera trigger wire which is the red wire with yellow stripe located at pin5 in the R9 connector.
    Run a wire from the connector side of the cut wire to the common prong of the first of three relays (pin 30 or 13).
    Run the other side of the wire to the normally closed prong of the relay (pin 87a or 11).
    Run a ground wire to one side of the relay coil (pin 86 or 16).
    Run switched 12V+ to the other side of the relay coil (pin 85 or 1).
    Also run switched 12V+ to the normally open prong of the relay (pin 87 or 9).
     

    Backup camera trigger wire identified

    Splice made at reverse cam trigger wire
    ready to heat shrink

    Relay Two and Three:
    Tap into the turn signals. Locate D2 Connector on Daytime Running Light & Turn Signal Flasher Relay which is mounted on the back of the driver side interior relay/junction box. Identify Pin #7 (left turn signal) green with black stripe wire and #8 (right turn signal) green with yellow stripe wire. These are the wires that turn signal stalk use to a send a ground signal to the Daytime Running Light & Turn Signal Flasher Relay. Cut these wires in half, one inch from the connector. Connect a length of 18awg (American wire gauge) wire to each of the cut sides and run this wire from here to where you will mount the blind spot monitor module.

    DRL Relay
    Connector D2

    Pin #7 and #8

    Cut #7 and #8

    Splices completed

    Wire bundle
    taped up

    Wire bundle
    reconnected

    Install Switch:
    A 12V SPDT switch is needed for this mod.
     
    I used a round rocker switch that matches the one I used for my Navigation Override and Unlock Bypass Mod.
     

    Round rocker switch

    Round rocker switch

    Round rocker switch

    12V round rocker
    switch info

    Switch information:
    12V SPDT Round Rocker Switch. Del City.
  • Switch Type: Rocker Switch
  • Circuitry: Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT)
  • Terminals: 3 standard male brass blades, 0.187" wide x 0.327" long (4.75mm x 8.3mm).
  • Up Position: On (2-3).
  • Middle Position: Off.
  • Down Position: On (2-1).
  • Electrical Rating: 6 amps at 250V AC, 10 amps at 125V AC
  • Illuminated: No.
  • Housing: Black plastic bezel and actuator.
  • Mounting Panel snap-in.
  • Panel Thickness: fits panels 3mm max thickness.
  • Mounting Hole Dim. Inch 0.775" (19.8mm).
  • Bezel Size: 0.906" (23.0mm).
     
    I decided to locate the switch that activate this mod on the blank panel right behind the cupholders. I found a nice 12V round rocker switch that only required a simple 3/4" hole to be drilled for installation. This switch fits perfect and is low profile enough that it allows the bin under the radio to open fully without interfering with the switch. I used 3/4" washers to layout the spacing and check for clearance before drilling.
     
    I am using this panel to house multiple switches for various mods. So the pics that follow so me installing multiple switches all at once.
     

    4Runner center console
    cupholder area

    Laying out switch panel

    Checking for clearance

    Checking for clearance

    You will notice I'm installing three of these switches in total. This panel will hold between five to seven switches depending upon the spacing used between them.
     

    Drawing the drilling pattern

    Preparing to drill

    Holes for switches drilled
    switch notches carved


    Underside of center console

    Panel support

    Panel support removed


    Support panel drilled

    Switches mounted

    Switch panel wired up


    Round rocker switches

    Switches installed

    After completing the installation of the relay module, associated wiring and switch, reinstall the navigation system back into dash.
     
    Results:
    While I relaize that there will be naysayers who insist that this is a useless mod if you set your mirrors correctly, from my perspective this is a very low cost, "fun" mod, done as an add-on to the already performed anytime camera mod to simply show just what can be done with some inventive ingenuity.
     
    The Anytime Reverse Camera feature can be quite useful while towing and wanting to check on the hitch connection. The Blind Spot Monitor function is useful at high speeds when wanting that extra assurance that no one is in the area that your rear and side view mirror are not quite capturing. The mod can also be turned totally off for city driving when using the navigation's directional guidance feature and you dont want to have the screen change automatically to the reverse camera while navigating an unfamiliar area with many turns.

    Anytime reverse camera
    shown while in park



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    Toyota 4Runner Topsites

     
    This Page Last Modified: March 11, 2019.
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