2016 Toyota Tacoma Accessory Switch Install - 55434-04070-C0

[@pathograce]

Thank you for the time you spent on this. It helped me out a great deal as I am installing a Meso switch panel. Took away a lot of guessing and breaking plastic. The hardest part was my switch panel. The removal of everything was a breeze.

[@dsaguaro6439]

I think this is the only how-to on the interweb about how to get to the panel to install the Mess Customs 7 switch panel. I sure appreciate it. I have made several attempts, but this shows me I have to go the whole route to do it right. I can't believe nobody else has made this video. Kudos to you for helping us all out.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

I couldn't believe it either when I was researching how to get it out! I'm glad to hear that it helped. I'm sorry that it's such a long video, but I wanted to show everything that I did. Someone smarter than me probably has an easier way to get it out, but I haven't seen it yet! Good luck with your project.

[@troy3456789]

​@@BuildThisFixThat You have nothing to apologize for as far as the length of the video goes. I am quite tired of jump-cut videos that pass otherwise necessary parts for the rest of us that need it. You're saving us a ton of money.

[@eckos2310]

Omg I have been looking for some one to show this part and how to do it thank you so much.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

I'm glad that you find it helpful! It was fun and terrifying to figure out how to do this on my own! lol

[@troy3456789]

@@BuildThisFixThat Kind of odd that meso customs doesn't provide a step by step on how to do it.

[@gzrgldr8288]

Watching you do this convinced me it was worth my while to get a Switch Pod or Auxbeam and mount it to the switch panel on the driver side. Might as well replace your HVAC box and your cooling system components while you have that all apart. :-)

[@stevendouglas6593]

Great job mate. I don’t think many people would have the patience or perseverance. Congratulations on a job well done.

[@Mr.SisterFisster]

Just a tip for those attempting this. Take this opportunity to re apply some fresh white lithium grease to the shifter where it slides against the plastic. It gives a pretty nice feel afterwards. They put grease in the factory, but it is a very small amount and gets rubbed away over time.

[@robertrios9982]

Great video. Thank you for making it. I'm going to attempt the same thing next week. I will probably have to watch this video a few more times before I try it on my own. :)

[@BuildThisFixThat]

I'm glad that you found it useful! I was surprised when I wanted to do this that nobody had made a video of it... it made the whole process a lot more daunting than it actually is. Good luck on your mod!

[@brooks74silverbee]

I was trying to get under the shifter & I thought I saw someone pull the upper part up. Guess not! Thanks for clearing that up man!

[@calebfranks2468]

Fantastic Video!! And exactly what I’m looking to do. Extremely helpful so Thank you Greatly

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

You forgot to remove the tail gate, pop the exhaust system off and pull the front wheels.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

I did that in prior steps that I didn't film (thought it was obvious), but thanks for making sure everyone else gets the memo!

[@davecannamela5540]

Cant thank you enough for posting this. I'm doing the same thing with my 2017. I just finished installing the Rostra seat heaters units under the upholstery of the two front seats.. what a project! The next challenge will be taking apart the lower dash to replace with a 5 switch port. Your video is really helpful. Any advice on how to connect both heating units to the panel is welcome... even a pic if possible.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

No problem! I'm very happy that this video has helped someone! It sounds like you're in the exact same position that I was in, except I couldn't find anything that told me how to get that panel out! Regarding wiring, I ran a designated 12V line straight from the battery, through the firewall to a relay that is tucked up under the dash. This is the power supply for the heaters. The relay is spliced to a wire that has power when the truck is on and no voltage when off, that way if you leave the heaters on when you turn off the truck your battery won't die. Also, I tired the switch lights into the under dash fuse panel using an "add-a-fuse". I made sure to find one that only had 12V when the headlights were on. I'll try to see if I can put up some photos or even another short video. Thanks for the feedback.

[@kaydengilmore4840]

ko

[@alanutterback2817]

@@BuildThisFixThat Good morning Ben, I am attempting the same install for Heated Seats. I was wondering what relay did you use? What wires did you use and which pole on the relay went to the 12v power, ground, seat switch etc. Wonderful video I am going to order the accessory panel today and start the seat install while I wait for the panel to arrive. Take care.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

@@alanutterback2817 Hi Alan. I just used a 12V dc normally open relay. This is a common type that can be found on Amazon or at any automotive store really. I think that they all follow the same pin layout, 85 and 86 are the supply to the electromagnet that closes the relay (it shouldn't matter which of these pins gets the supply voltage and which goes to ground), 87a and 87 are the switched pins and 30 is the input to the relay that will be switched to either 87a or 87 based off of the state of the relay. Attaching the switches to the new panel couldn't be easier, all you have to do is push them into whichever slot you want. I make mention of that at the end of the video. Good luck!

[@mrmclovin6945]

OMG - that's a lot of work to get to that panel. I want to install a brake control switch in that panel, but that way to much work to get to the back of it. Thanks for the video though.

[@JD-wp6zq]

it would be nice having oem stuff but i would break so many tabs and crap doing this MESO needs to make more of his panels...

[@texasswade8453]

Ya know what? I’m just gonna screw the button to the dash. It’ll look ugly, but it beats the complete disassembly of the truck!

[@timtoby7975]

Most used phrase in this video: " I think the is going to have to come off". Way to stick with it, for me, I'll stick with my cold cheeks. Thanks for the video.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

Apparently I have a limited vocabulary! I'll start reading the dictionary before bed! The heated seats are well worth the investment for me! I use them even when it's warm out, but my back is sore.

[@timtoby7975]

Ben C. Not at all. I was reliving some of my experiences through your video. I think you did great.

[@timtoby7975]

Ben C. Plus, I live in San Diego as far as the heated seats. People do have them here though.

[@Mr.SisterFisster]

I just attempted this on my 2018 Tacoma. Your video was extremely helpful, but i ran out of will power. Was almost there, then I realized the USB outlet i wanted to install was the wrong size for the knockout hole...so put it back together. What an ass, it should not be that hard.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

Better luck next time! I'm glad that the video was helpful and had enough detail to get you most of the way there... the whole reason I made it and why it's 22+ minutes long!

[@adamcarothers3529]

Great video! Lots of help!

[@MCampbell6]

Thank you so much for this video! Did you happen to notice how much space is behind the accessory switch panel? I am considering modifying mine to fit a CB radio if there's enough space

[@BuildThisFixThat]

Hi Mike, Sorry for the late reply. There isn't much space behind that panel. What I can remember from when I did this back in March, there is a metal bracket behind that panel as well a couple of other modules that take up the remaining space. The free space behind the panel is roughly 3" deep by the width and height of the panel switch area.

[@MCampbell6]

@@BuildThisFixThat No worries on the late reply, thanks for the info!

[@cholomackdaddy]

Is it bad to lean on the center console? Also Is it supposed to move a bit if you push on it? Thanks.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

I'm going to assume that this question refers to a situation when you have removed the center console and then put it back in. In that case it should be absolutely fine to lean on, the movement shouldn't happen though. The console lid may have a little play in it, but not much. Check to make sure all of the tabs are snapped together and you have tightened the two bolts at the bottom of the console inside the main compartment. I hope this helps!

[@pog4life89]

Gave my self a bloody noise doing this one lol.

[@landonmartin8982]

Any steps in this video that you realized were unnecessary once you finished? I'm tackling this right now and just wanted to make sure. I've removed most of these interior parts at some point or another, just not all at once like this lol. Like the big center console, does it have to come out and pulled back? Or just the ebrake/shifter part you have sideways? Thanks in advance and really appreciate you being the guinea pig for the rest of us!

[@BuildThisFixThat]

From what I can remember, everything that is shown in that piece of cinematic mastery is necessary. You can see that all of the trim surrounding that piece snap into it which necessitates loosening all of the other pieces from the door frame in! If you find a better way to do it please film it and post it! I think this is still the only video for this piece of trim. Have fun!

[@landonmartin8982]

@@BuildThisFixThat Thanks for the reply! So far so good. Man am I glad for this vid! And you aren't lying about the cinematic masterpiece!! I'm a little stuck at the 15:55 mark. The bolt with a socket head that you said needle nose worked on. I see two phillips head screws down there but I believe those 2 are the next step..

[@JoelShroyer]

Hey thanks for this video! I installed heated seats in my '18 about 6 months ago but have been nervous about tearing into the interior part of the installation, I will be watching this video while i do it haha. Do you have happen to know the part number of the switches you used? I cant track down the oem toyota part, considering going to the dealership but I'd rather not.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

Hi Joel, I'm glad that the video is helpful to you! I made it so people could learn from what I did right and what I did wrong! The heaters that I installed came with OEM style switches. The seat heaters that I installed can be found at this link... www.rostra.com/toyota-seat-heater-with-custom-control-switch.php. The switches snapped perfectly into the panel that I replaced, OEM P/N: 55434-04070-C0.

[@dave-d-grunt]

I was hoping to be able to put one thing on that piece. It’s not worth going thru all of that

[@WickedOverland]

What did you wire the seat warmers to ? I’m doing the same thing and I don’t know what to splice into.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

Ah, great question. I ran a dedicated 12V line straight from the battery to a terminal block that I installed under the dash. There is a wiring harness that runs through the firewall near the steering column, so I ran a +12V line from the battery terminal through that same area following the hardness, installed an inline fuse, wired it into the terminal block and then just brought my ground to a bolt on the frame under the kick plate near the brake pedal. Viola! You can put the terminal block under the hood in its own weatherproof box if you want to have easier access for other accessories that you may want to put in in the future. Hope this helps!

[@WickedOverland]

So it’s “always” on? If it’s come from the batt it always had power so do you just turn it off when you shut the truck off? I had a fuse box already installed but the instruction day to connect to a ignition source so it won’t drain the batt.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

@@WickedOverland ah forgot to mention that I also wired in a relay that provides power to the terminal block that only closes when the engine is on. Used an add-a-fuse to tap into an existing line that is only powered when the engine is running.

[@darthur8261]

Are the heated seat switches oem style that just snap in? Where did you get them?

[@BuildThisFixThat]

The switches are OEM style and just snap in, they match perfectly. One thing to keep in eye out for if that the OEM switches are keyed so that they only for in certain slots. You can see how well they blend into the interior in the video and how to install them. The switches came with the heated seats from Rostra.

[@yayay9461]

How you pay for the new panel

[@revrendtimtom]

Where did ya borrow the power for the heated seats from? Im pulling my dash off probably tomorrow to install light buttons

[@BuildThisFixThat]

Hi Timmy G., Sorry that I didn't get back to you quickly. I ran an independent 12V accessory supply from my battery. It has it's own 30A fuse and a 12V relay tied inline to ensure that the seat heaters can't draw power from the battery when the engine isn't running. Hope this helps. If you want I can make a quick video of the wiring.

[@ebarker9]

@@BuildThisFixThat Extremely helpful video. I'm about to embark upon the same install and would be very interested in knowing how you ran the wiring. I'm not sure whether to run everything through the center console up to the dash or along the door sills, although the solution may present itself once everything is apart.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

@@ebarker9, you're going to love the seat heaters, they are one of my favorite mods for sure! It's so nice to have a warm rear and back on these -20F Northeast winter mornings! I think that there is only one way to do the wire routing though. I routed the wiring harness through the door sills because that gives you access to an existing entry point under the carpet to bring the power connectors under the seat. You end up following the existing wiring harness for seat sensors and airbags. Also, upon further consideration if for any reason you need to gain access to that writing harness again, it's much easier to just snap off three door sill panels than it is to gain access to the center console! I brought the power straight from the battery, through the firewall to a new relay/distribution strip that I installed under the driver side dash. That way the seat heaters will only have power to them when the truck is on. I'd be willing to make a video of that if you need it. Good luck!

[@ebarker9]

@@BuildThisFixThat Thanks for the reply! That makes sense. I wasn't sure if there was already any wiring running from the seats to the center console. I already pre-wired an auxiliary fuse block off of the battery with switched power so that should all go smoothly. Looks like we have the same Rostra heated seat kit. I guess I'll just have to find a power source for the switch illumination. Any idea where you took that from?

[@BuildThisFixThat]

@@ebarker9 I'll have to check that out later to be exactly sure, but I think that I added an add-a-fuse to an existing fuse location under the steering column that only is hot when the headlights are on. This is the type of add-a-fuse that I used... www.amazon.com/dp/B011I9QZX2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_d8RzCbZWD9K89

[@shelbygtrag5859]

Think I would have dremeled a couple of more holes in panel and save shit load of time!

[@TheGregWallace]

Doing this in the cold weather does not help.....easier to break plastic pieces.

[@BuildThisFixThat]

I'd be willing to take that risk again...better than sweating profusely and fending off blood sucking insects... better yet, I should just buy a house with a garage.

[@timroberts1907]

Man that sure is a lot of work just to put in a switch

[@Kakaasipyro808]

man... this helped a lot but watching you stack panels in areas you needa work made me cringe... throw the panels in the back seat or something to clear up your work space my guy... and yes everything needs to come off completely to take out certain things can't just half ass it

[@OfficialWrightsCSApps]

What a mess. 2nd gens are so much easier to take apart.

[@GoneWalkabout]

Cripes man, too much surgery

[@jasonmolihan61]

Please watch this video before you tear your whole truck apart. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZS5oox9d9Fla7s

[@BuildThisFixThat]

That's a great video if you just want to add a single switch and have an empty slot that is plugged from the factory. However; if you're in the same situation as me and you don't have any extra switch locations in the center console you'll need to swap out the entire dash panel in order to get a few extra locations. Maybe those guys know how to get the whole panel out without going through the process that I did, if they do then I'd like to see it!