Toyota Minute Mod: The Tacoma Grey Wire Mod

By: Curt Howmiller - 7/2005

I wanted to be able to use my Tacoma's e-locker in other than 4WD Low for those times when I needed a little extra traction at the push of a button without shifting into 4WD. This shows how to bypass the 1998-2004 4WD computer so the e-locker can be used in 2WD or 4WD High.

The 4WD computer

First you have to remove the door sill trim and kick panel to access the 4wd controller behind the driver's side kick panel. I removed the 10mm bolt holding the controller bracket to the vehicle to get better access to the plug and wires. Then I unplugged the controller and set it aside.

Remove door sill screws and pry up	Pull kickpanel towards the rear	Locate & unbolt computer	Disconnect wires and unwrap

Next I decided to pull down the wire cover instead of removing or cutting it to gain access to the gray wire. Cut and splice a ground wire onto the controller end of the gray wire, make sure to leave enough wire to work with. I connected my gray wire and ground wire with a red butt connector, which worked well for me. Then I tucked the wire back into the wire cover and used the existing ground point above the controller and behind the fuse panel. Re-install everything in reverse order and you are finished.

Make up a 12" pigtail	Crimp in the pigtail	Locate a ground lug and attach

The gray wire mod was easy and fast. Testing showed actuation of e-locker in any mode from 2-hi to 4-lo. Enjoy the added traction.