4Runner Camping Hack!! 12Volt Always On | 5th Generation

[@ElisaHall-v5m]

This is the first van I've had that doesn't have an always on outlet so thanks for this

[@mattggonzz]

I've been researching this topic for a while, and never found an easy solution. I really only wanted to have full time power to rear, but I'll settle for this. Thanks for the post

[@pbr653]

This definitely helped me solve a parking mode dash cam wiring problem. Stealth rear view mirror wiring for power when driving, cig lighter parking power for occasional parking mode use. With this, no need to fish wire to fuse box and risk interference with air bags in order to get parking mode. Love it! Appreciate your work.

[@smitheys]

Absolutely! Glad I could help.

[@benallison7646]

Thanks for posting! Sending this to all my 5th gen friends who always ask me how to do this.

[@smitheys]

Awesome!! Glad I could help.

[@tim285401]

cool, i', following suite with you. i just traded in my F150 for a 4runner, great decision. now i can sleep comfortably in the back now on long road trips

[@smitheys]

Heck yes! Congrats on the switch!

[@Enorkyeoj]

Wow i had no idea the direction caused the radio to stay on, i thought i was screwed and couldnt do this

[@tinabeane]

WOW that is a sweet hack, thanks!! How did you learn all these?

[@smitheys]

I’ve been working on vehicles since I was 16 so I’ve learned a few things. Sadly not enough. I haven’t really worked on anything too serious in a few years because of the Toyotas. I haven’t had to, so I’m losing it. Haha.

[@lorriealbany2156]

Very cool!

[@smitheys]

Thanks!

[@aervis7]

Hold up so my battery wont die overnight? I feel like the fact any type of power that stays on (like this feature) will drain or shorten the battery life of my 4Runner.

[@smitheys]

Valid concern but no, in most cases your battery won’t die overnight. Vehicle manufacturers have always had always on and a keyed 12volt for YEARS. Some have gotten away from the always on, like Toyota. If you’re power hungry with laptops, a fridge/freezer, etc yeah it’ll drain your battery. I lived in my 4Runner for months charging my cell phone & IPAD every night, battery packs, and had a fan on all night and I was fine. If you don’t feel confident/comfortable don’t do it. It’s just nice to have power without the key on. Hope this helps!

[@charlesfisher1487]

What Year and model is your 4Runner? I have a 20 ORP and the fuse locations in your under dash box has them differently than mine. And almost all are full with a fuse in place. The ones you replaced are marked "Door B" and "Washer" 10a and 20a accordingly.

[@smitheys]

So I've done this to a 2014, 2015, and 2020. They have all been SR5's so I don't know about the offroads or if the premiums have different wiring schematics for the fuse boxes. I'm sure they are similar but thats just my assumption. I don't have that premium money!! Great choice though, best of both worlds with price and options compared to the TRD Pro. Sorry I couldn't be more specific, I don't even have the 4Runner anymore for reference.

[@charlesfisher1487]

@@smitheys No worries! Thank you for the swift response. I love mine! The reason why I asked, is because of the labeling of the fuses. I would've thought connecting to "p/outlet" would've been one of the fuses I connect to. But it looked different in the video. Thanks either way though!

[@danieljohn4603]

Do you happen to know what the other fuse you are tying into controls? Does this allow the 400W AC Plug to have power at all times also? Seems kind of sketchy, but if it works… it works 😁

[@smitheys]

It’s 100% safe. All I did was tap into power that was already there. Unfortunately I don’t remember what I tapped into off the top of my head. The little cover should say what it is. The AC plug is ran through a factory switch on the dash, so it’s a different circuit.

[@Sparisland]

@@smitheys So, looking at the fuses in the middle row, there are 3 - 7.5 amp fuses in a row below a larger opening. Nowhere on the cover you are holding in the video are there 3 - 7.5 amp fuses in a row or a large blank space in th emiddle row. Is that cover from a different vehicle ?

[@smitheys]

Don’t look to closely at that cover, it was just an example cover I found on google that looked similar. I added that while editing for a reference because I already threw mine away. Sorry for any confusion.

[@Sparisland]

@@smitheys Understood. Thanks for confirming.

[@Sparisland]

@@smitheys So, I'd actually prefer to grab 12v from the fusebox using an add a fuse and run to a separate 12v outlet so I can have factory outlets switched and an added one un-switched, which of the fuses you used is the 12v always on?

[@rantzzzrantzzz2568]

Any idea is this works on most toyotas?

[@mr_mmelk2230]

Which fuse location names did you use? Cause your fuse cover picture doesnt line up with your fuses inside. My fuse box cover is the exact one you have but the inside looks like my fuse box cover, not what you have

[@smitheys]

Unfortunately I can't help with that because I no longer have the 4runner. I did this to a 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and a 2020. All the 5th generation 4runners SR5's have the same fuse box under the dash, but I don't know about the premiums or more upgraded trim 4runners.

[@leocadena6844]

What's the voltage of the bottom fuse?

[@nickjohnson4835]

Is there any issue with the batter being a starting battery and not a deep cycle ?

[@smitheys]

There hasn’t been any issues with mine but you can easily have problems if you run a whole house. Just be mindful of what you’re using and if it’s a lot just install a second battery just for accessories. Also you can have a deep cycle battery as your starting battery. Deep cycle is just a type of battery.

[@MD-eo2wy]

Do you think this will work with a regular Walmart battery to be good enough?

[@smitheys]

Any battery that is powering your vehicle will work. The only thing this video is explaining is turning your key’d power to always on power. That way you don’t have to have the key on to have power. No additional batteries are needed. A lot of cars have always on power and/or key’d outlets, except Toyota. I had to fix that.

[@wlee2689]

Look interesting do work radio off ignition ? How is port usb charging my 4Runner 22

[@smitheys]

All this does is change it from being a keyed ignition accessory to an always on accessory

[@wessome]

Does this work to power the windows I camp in the back and hate that I can’t use my rear passenger window without starting the vehicle …. 🤔

[@smitheys]

This unfortunately does not do that. This just gives power to all your outlets without turning the key/car on. I did make another video wiring in a switch to lock/unlock the car and roll down the back window: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4mllnZseJVgi5I That video takes a bit more work, but it’s doable. Hope I helped! Have a great one!!!

[@subtegral]

Does anyone know which relay covers the cigarette lighter outlet in a 96 thru 98 4Runner? These three model years don't have the Power Outlet relay that 99 thru 02 4Runners have.

[@Sr5RoameR]

Sorry newbie here. This mod will not drain your battery?

[@smitheys]

We were all newbies once! That’s a tricky question because no and yes. With just the wire installed, no. If you have a million things plugged in like a fridge freezer, battery packs, lights then possible yes. Cars come with always on ports (always on) and ignition ports (key on, power on ports) for years. Manufacturers have the discretion on what they put in their vehicles, most are moving toward ignition only. Hope this answers your question!

[@brandonvartenisian2519]

I need to know what prong type to use. They’re like 3 different sizes.

[@smitheys]

I believe it’s a mini, but I don’t remember anymore. Just pop a fuse out and verify.

[@wlee2689]

Do you sell the concept want to install dash am vantrue want to to use some accessories with ignition off

[@smitheys]

This will make it work.

[@thisthat5874]

I just plugged in a tire deflator and short circuited all my 12 volts, do I replace them in the same spot ?

[@smitheys]

Make sure you put the correct fuse for whatever you plan to run. I just said 10amp for basic charging of phones. Sorry I wasn’t more clear. Just replace blown fuse with what’s needed.

[@thisthat5874]

@@smitheys Is the 15 fuse connected to the 12volt? Any idea where to buy replacements?

[@smitheys]

Any auto part store will have all sizes of fuses. Stores like target and Walmart will have them too, but not all the sizes of fuse.

[@kenmoist]

doesn't the 5th gen 4runner have micro 2 fuses?

[@smitheys]

Correct. I made it with mini fuses but after I decided to show other people how to do it and film it but couldn't find any mini add a fuses, so I used what I found after going to 3 different autopart stores. I stated in the video to use what is required for that reason.

[@eliotrandallw]

I don’t understand how you’re not using mini fuses. My fuse box under the dash is all mini

[@smitheys]

I installed mini fuses. I just demonstrated how to make it after I already made the one I used. I went to 3 different auto parts stores trying to find any of them so I can film how to make it. Mini add a fuses we're hard to find.

[@gatiyo18]

Amigo 2003 4runner 12v plug hack no me enciende no funciona ayuda my frien

[@danieljohn4603]

Love Toyota, but hate them for not doing this in the first place.😡

[@smitheys]

Absolutely agree with that 100%!