Search Community "

! Tacoma 2nd Generation (2005-2015)

How to: Steering Wheel Control

Color Change
Jump to Latest Follow

1 of 2 !
1 - 20 of 22 Posts

slvrAZtaco · Registered
Tacoma, Prerunner
Joined Jan 5, 2006 · 519 Posts

Discussion Starter · #1 · Dec 20, 2007

Here is my write up on how to change the color of your

steering wheel controls.

Tools needed:
10mm Socket setup
Small flat blade screwdriver
Medium Phillips screwdriver
T-30 Hex driver
Soldering iron
Solder sucker
Solder
Needle nose pliers or tweezers
3 SLT-773 LED's in the color of your choice (same LED's
as the gauge cluster)

***If you do not know how to solder or properly remove

soldered components do not attempt this, serious
damage could occur. I am not responsible for any
damage, you are taking the fate of your stereo controls
into your own hands.***

First, disconnect your battery using the 10mm socket

setup.

Next, using the small flat blade screw driver pop off the
little covers on the side of the steering wheel.

Now you can use the T-30 Hex driver to remove the two T-
30 Hex bolts. These are the bolts that hold the airbag in.
Once you have loosened these two bolts completely you
can pull the airbag away from the steering wheel. You can
just let it hang and do not need to disconnect it.

Now you should be able to see the entire control unit.

There is one Phillips screw holding the control unit to the
wheel. Remove this screw and pull the unit away from the
wheel. Cut the zip-tie that is holding the cable to the
control unit and disconnect the cable.

You can now take the unit to a bench to disassemble it.

There are two Phillips screws and 4 clips that hold the unit
together. Remove the two screws and pry the two halves
apart. It is easier to start with the two clips on the back
towards the center and work your way to the outer two.

Once you separate the two halves the PCB will come right
out. Take note of the direction of the LED's, the triangular
notch that is missing is the cathode side. Make sure you
place your new LED's in the same direction.

Unsolder the old LED's, tin your pads and solder in the
new LED's. When you are ready to reassemble the control
unit, place the PCB in the button side first and then put
the back on.

Snap the two pieces together and install the screws. You
can now reassemble the truck and test it out.

Good luck and enjoy!

05 Tacoma Prerunner TRD Offroad

07 4 Runner SR5 4x4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2531825/1
Reply

ochatesme · Tacoma Enthusiast

O Joined Aug 26, 2006 · 230 Posts

#2 · Dec 20, 2007

Excellent write-up, I did something similar to this in my

old Ford Ranger cruise control buttons that were mounted
on the steering wheel.

2007 stage 2 Subaru WRX STi

2005 TRD Sport Prerunner V6 Double Cab Indigo Ink

Reply

roboots21 · Taco Salad!!

2007 Tacoma DC LB
Joined Apr 1, 2007 · 552 Posts

#3 · Jun 7, 2008 (Edited)

Awesome write-up...going outside to do this to my truck

right now!

EDIT: DONE!! Took me all of an hour to do...very simple! I

will be posting pics when I get my 4x4 switch lit up also,
along with the guage pod done in blue that I already did.
Thanks again!

Reply

mnardski6262 · Registered
M Joined Jan 16, 2009 · 1 Posts

#4 · Jan 21, 2009

Finding LEDS!?

slvrAZtaco said: "

Here is my write up on how to change the color of your
steering wheel controls.

Tools needed:
10mm Socket setup
Small flat blade screwdriver
Medium Phillips screwdriver
T-30 Hex driver Click to expand...
Soldering iron
HEY! where can you get all the blue LEDs for the
Tacomas? also too, have you done your shifter column
aswell? if so, where did you get all the bulbs at? thanks....
Michael

Reply

Diode Dynamics
Ad

Don't settle for stock backup bulbs.

Upgrade to the BRIGHTEST self-contained 921 bulb on
the market. Introducing the 921 XPR LED Bulb!

Learn More

ycart1201 · Pretty much a TN Member

2006 Taco DC TRD OR
Joined Jan 19, 2007 · 1,179 Posts

#5 · Jan 21, 2009

nice job!

Nathan
ycart1201

06 TRD O.R. 4x4|3" Revtek w/ AAL|16" S.E. Gunmetal TRD Wheels|285/75-16 BFG MT

KM2's
Reply

slvrAZtaco · Registered
Tacoma, Prerunner
Joined Jan 5, 2006 · 519 Posts

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 21, 2009

mnardski6262 said: "

HEY! where can you get all the blue LEDs for the Tacomas?
also too, have you done your shifter column aswell? if so,
where did you get all the bulbs at? thanks.... Michael

The LEDs are the same as the cluster, I get mine from LC-
LED.com. Part number is in the first post. I build my own
shifter lights.

05 Tacoma Prerunner TRD Offroad

07 4 Runner SR5 4x4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2531825/1
Reply

romancito104 · myspace.com/randrcustoms
07 Tacoma
Joined Sep 11, 2007 · 155 Posts

#7 · Jan 21, 2009

bump!! this is an awesome mod!! i'm loving those gauges

as well!! I want to switch my gauges to yours. How did
you change your gauges??

2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD SR5 V6 4.0 L 6Speed

www.socaltacomas.com

Reply

BlueSport · Love the Tick

B 2001 Ford Ranger
Joined Feb 12, 2006 · 286 Posts

#8 · Jan 21, 2009

slvrAZtaco said: "

The LEDs are the same as the cluster, I get mine from LC-
LED.com. Part number is in the first post. I build my own
shifter lights.

Nice write up. When are you going to start building these
as well? Like a swap program?

Reply

Diode Dynamics
Ad

Like it came from the factory that way, only better.

Upgrade to the BRIGHTEST fogs on the market with the
SS3 LED Fog Light Kit. Available for 100+ vehicles.

Learn More

slvrAZtaco · Registered
Tacoma, Prerunner
Joined Jan 5, 2006 · 519 Posts

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 21, 2009

romancito104 said: "

bump!! this is an awesome mod!! i'm loving those gauges as
well!! I want to switch my gauges to yours. How did you
change your gauges??

There is a write up for the gauges here

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?
t=180314

05 Tacoma Prerunner TRD Offroad

07 4 Runner SR5 4x4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2531825/1
Reply

08TRDOFFROAD · Premium Member

08' Tacoma Dbl Cab
Joined Nov 2, 2007 · 5,604 Posts

#10 · Jan 21, 2009

Sticky this please!

My Build Thread

Reply

lotust · Stupid is stupid does

2008 tundra
Joined Oct 20, 2003 · 5,554 Posts

#11 · Jan 21, 2009

08TRDOFFROAD said: "

Sticky this please!

Can do. :clap:

Reply

jdw1407 · Registered
J Joined Nov 28, 2007 · 20 Posts

#12 · Apr 27, 2009 (Edited)

so i just tried this and the LEDS didn't like up. any idea
what might have happened? and do i have to put the
whole thing back together before i can test? can I leave
the air bag out or disconnect it? any help please.!!!!!

So i figured it out. I geuss I had some bad LEDs or i burnt

them out. I replaced them with new ones and it looks
SWEEEEET!!! now onto the dash

Reply

Dorman Products
Ad

Better Inputs, Better Intakes

Our demanding development process delivers reliable
solutions

Learn More

Deerslayer75 · Registered
D Joined Sep 4, 2011 · 3 Posts

#13 · Sep 4, 2011

slvrAZtaco said: "

Here is my write up on how to change the color of your
steering wheel controls.

Tools needed:
10mm Socket setup
Small flat blade screwdriver
Medium Phillips screwdriver
T-30 Hex driver Click to expand...
Soldering iron
I see you have changes the fog lights and traction
controls on the left of the steering wheel as well. What
type of bulbs or led's do you need for that? Is there a link
to this mod here somewehere? I would love to do this.
Thanks Tim

Reply

JLink · Registered
2010 Tacoma TRD Spor
Joined Jun 7, 2010 · 9 Posts

#14 · Feb 25, 2012

Thanks for posting this. After I swapped my gauges and

clock I was like hmm... how to change the steering wheel
buttons..

I probably would've tried prying and breaking them, So I

really appreciate you sharing this with us!!

Reply

Roxx W · Registered
R Joined Feb 22, 2012 · 5 Posts

#15 · Mar 4, 2012

Lots of questions.....

I'm a little concerned now. My 2009 model has the stereo

button controls but have never been illuminated. Perhaps
they didnt illuminate after the year model you have. Not
sure how to determine whether this mod is good for
anything after your year? Im not good at soldering either
and being an OLD guy, my hands are not as steady as
they were when I was younger. What kind of skilled
person should I seek out to do any mods like this.

Different topic.
I have been trying to do some research into whether or
not the driver power window and lock key panel can be
illuminated or not as well as all the other doors window
switches.

And the other would be the pwr side view mirror controls
on the left on the dash.

Seen any mods on these two?

My 2009 came with blanks where controls would have

been opposite of the stereo controls...would these have
been for the bluetooth controls for the stereo maybe?

Mark

------------------------------------------------
Reply

tbird95 · Registered
T Joined Mar 5, 2013 · 7 Posts

#16 · Jan 28, 2014

Anyone had problems with airbag light staying on?

Reply

Dorman Products
Ad

Quality You Can Count On

Our demanding development process delivers reliable
solutions

Learn More

05Moose · Premium Member

Was a 05 Tacoma 4x4 DC LB
Joined Jan 16, 2008 · 14,165 Posts

#17 · Jan 28, 2014

tbird95 said: "

Anyone had problems with airbag light staying on?

Do you have steering wheel controls?

Formerly: '05 4x4 DC LB SR5 (LSD & Tow Pkg), Timbrens, AAL,
5100s, 12/3/2004-9/5/2020

Reply

tbird95 · Registered
T Joined Mar 5, 2013 · 7 Posts

#18 · Jan 29, 2014

indeed i have stereo controls on the wheel. however they

do not seem to be lighting up very bright and I cant use
them because my faceplate is off my deck at the moment
and my gf forgot to bring it back so I cant truly check till
like friday. psshh women. Everything worked just fine
before the mod though, nothing was hit, banged, jolted or
otherwise mangled in anyway during the install. put it
back together and bam....airbag light is on and not going
off. Is it simply a matter of letting it run to recharge or a
plug not fully engaged? the only plug I pulled was the one #
to the steering controls. I didn't mess with any springs or
anything like that either, heck i dont even remember
seeing anything in there but the wires and controls