DHOUS

I have mentioned this to Scott C, but not to the forum group, there is a potential for rattles that I discovered when looking at under dash wiring, on the extreme LH and RH side under dash there is a plastic box that the door wiring passes through these boxes are loose and you dealer needs to check them.

Let me know your findings.

Cheers.

Well the lights are installed, the hardest part was the plastic cover underneath, I had dramas with the three plastic fasteners that hold the lower section to the upper section of the wheel arch, I eventually had to break then to get them out, I have inspected them and the are a type of pop rivet and are not removable without breaking or drilling, the second side I left them in and dropped the cover half out, it was a bit more awkward to screw the lights in but it only took ten minutes.

Only two of the four mounting lugs are used, you need to be sure that the opposite two are located into a cutout and a recess alternatively, they then sit firmly into place using

10g X 12mm self tapping screws some are supplied with the kit.

Wiring in the Aux switch which comes with the kit, has not been done yet, due to difficulty accessing the relay and wiring, I am not too concerned about this yet and will keep you posted.

Dealer has the bezels today I will pick up in the morning, give me something to do this weekend.

Not sure about the screws, Bunnings is only ten minutes down the road, thanks for the advice on aligning them up, I was wondering how that was going to be achieved, even when I was looking at other options for lights.

On your drawings supplied the page of connectors shows D13, I assume this one is in the steering column? If you look at P2 Headlight Dimmer assy shows that the switch needs to be patched in on pins 3 & 4 how accessible is this?

I haven't had a look through the car yet, so tomorrow I should have a better idea and have it sorted and let the "Fog Light Group" know.

Cheers

Fog lights from HK ordered on Ebay (scotts advice) payed with Bpay took just over a week delivered, bezels ordered same time,still waiting, I will ring the dealer today.

I will be wiring using the Aux switch, I am confident I can find an ideal spot to patch in the wiring, but I havent looked closely at it yet, maybe this weekend and I will supply info and photos once I am happy with the final setup.

Cheers

Fog Light Club? sounds good, Sage Green? nice but only second choice to Silver grey hey, just joking Scott.

Not a problem scott not sure what you will pick up from them except the colour but you will get them with additions when it happens watch this space.

This one really worries me, I can report that a rattle does appear during the cold snaps, but nothing dramatic yet.

I should be able to help you with the wiring details, have you decided how you are going to switch the lights, same as Scott with new stalk or with aux switch replacing the blank in the dash?

I havent got it all detailed yet but after I have decided and commenced the installation I will pass on my findings, maybe a week or two

Fog Lights arrived from Hong Kong today, great value, still waiting on the bezels from Toyota maybe 2wks.

You are correct and TAKA is right it depends on how you drive, I have been running a KXR AWD between Geelong and Melbourne most days and I use a lite foot, my best return for the round trip was as low as 8.3L/100Km and I regularly get between 8.5 and 9.5 depending on in town trips. If you sink the boot in you pay for it at the bowser.

I have also noted a flat spot at 90K and when you hit 100-110 its like a tail wind and you can really ease off on the pedal.

Premium fuel definately feels better and the economy improves but I dont have realistic figures that I could quote at this stage.

dont do it Scott,

you have a lovely looking vehicle, I tried very hard to get the dealer to put 19's on mine at the factory and he insulted me by quoting $6000, I can tell you now I am very happy with the 17's particularly for anyone thinking offroad or towing they are more suitable, and now you can see the tyre's for the 19's are going to cost a bomb.

your wife is right give her a kiss and thank her.

Thanks Scott

you are right I was thinking driving lights not Fog lights, my old R16TS had driving lights with aux switch in the high beam circuit, obviously you wouldnt have this for fog.

I do not believe it will be difficult to do this wiring outside the steering wheel and should be accessable under the bonnet or in vicinity of the relays, I will investigate after I see the wiring diagram.

Cheers

Don

Thanks once again Scott,

I would have thought it would be possible to patch into the wiring outside of the steering? given that you only need two contacts one from the switch to put them in service and one from the high beam on circuit.

Question: if no switch was installed and the fogs connected would they come on automatically with high beam? ie all the time.

Do you have a Kluger wiring/circuit diagram?

Cheers keep up the good work for us KXR owners.

Scott

well done great information, I have ordered the lights, would it be possible to use the original bezel wholesaw the centre and and have them spraypainted? I appreciate the trouble you have gone to with the steering wheel new switch, but do you run a risk with warranty? I will run with an Aux switch replacing the blank.

Nice work Scott. It took you 2 hours because you are taking nice pictures.

In this shot Scott, I can see the blue cable from the audio control going to the clip, there is one from the right too.

In Grande there is air con control too on the right (I don't know why and if it is useful), but hey it looks good to have all the control in the wheel. I wonder if it is hard to put them in .... :P:

Would that be a plug and play thing I wonder.

Option up an KX-R is very nice Scott... I am sure you are enjoying it.

Hi Guys, there was a request to photograph and document my steering wheel removal (Taka!). Here it is.

Please note, if you follow what I did below, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. Im not responsible for any mishaps or omissions.

My steps are below, but I strongly recommend getting the following two documents off the Toyota tech info site - doc id; RM000000UW801VX (Steering pad removal) and doc id; RM000000WAD015X (Steering column assembly: removal) You wont need to remove the whole steering column, but it shows the procedure for taking off the wheel.

IMPORTANT: First thing to do, is remove the negative cable on the battery and wait 90 seconds. This is to prevent air-bag deployment.

You need a torx socket (T-30), a flat and phillips head screw driver, and a socket wrench with a 16mm socket.

1. First step is to remove these covers;

This can be done by using an electrical screw driver with some tape wrapped around it. (to prevent scratching)

2. Next is to loosen the T-30 torx bolts

They'll come out to a point and stop against a plastic holder (in other words, they just loosen, not come right off)

3. Carefully take out steering wheel pad. It has the air bad connectors and the horn wire connected to it.

The air bag connectors are weird, you have to pop the yellow tabs up with a screwdriver

4. With the 16mm socket, take out the centre nut holding the wheel in place. You also have to unclip the wires up top (think they're the wires for the button controls from memory)

5. Wheel off! Next is to remove the centre piece. If you're careful, this can be done without removing all the wires.

Steering pad to the right

6. Unhook the wiring connector shown to the right, this will clip into the new switch assembly. (this is the wiring for your lights)

At the same time, unclip the wiper assembly to the left, this will also go straight onto your new switch assembly.

7. Nothing left but the switch assembly. Taking that off was really tricky and took about 20 minutes. You need a pair of pliers, and need to grab a metal ring up the top, when you squeeze the ring, it loosens sufficiently to pull the switch assembly off. This was the hardest part of the whole exercise, the assembly wouldnt budge, i thought perhaps id missed a clip or something, but eventually it wiggled free.

End result:

One thing that really irked me, my local dealer said it would be $85 to remove the wheel and put the new swtich assembly in. Thats fine, but the guy looked me in the eye and said they need 45 minutes to 'repack the air bag' - an out and out lie. The air bag is inside the steering pad, I never even saw it in my removal.

The whole operation took nearly two hours. This is mainly cause I went very slowly and carefully.

Scott you are unreal, you are a bigger KXR freak than me, I believe the KXR is the best value for money and if you can personalise it to look as good or better than the KXS and The Grande then you are on the way, I look forward to seeing the final results, in relation to the stereo its all a personal choice good music system or the latest combination of satnav/stereo I would probably choose the latter.

cheers

Don

Im going to upgrade the headunit in the Kluger. I was chatting to a rep from a car audio store in the US (Crutchfield) - and their site was not listing any of the stereo's as being compatible with the 08 Kluger/Highlander.

I went to an online chat to ask why, and this is what they said;

Agent (x.): "The passenger air bag light is integrated into the radio faceplate. No kit is available at this time and radio replacement is not recommended."

Agent (x.): "That is why we list it as not fitting."

Agent (x.): "No kits, harnesses, etc. are made for the vehicle currently."

Some guys in the US tell me they HAVE done an aftermarket install.

I was wondering if anyone here has?

Cheers,

Scott.

Im thinking of putting this unit in Pioneer FH-P8000BT;

Hi Guys, here's our KXR, just got the Bladerunner side steps put on, I know some were interested to see them;

Despite the steps being 15cms wide, they really dont stick out too much;

Next on the list is to install the fog lights and roof rails.

Congratulations Scot_C, this is a very beautiful vehicle. The colout look svery nice, what is it?

Thanks Scott looks great I do not like the Toyota 2.5 inch S/S its too big, I have been looking for an option, but its always good to see a fitted example, what did you pay?

The fog lights I have also been looking for try Hella FF50 Light Kit

Hella Micro DE Xenon

PIAA510 Series

KC Hilite 50 Series

Hey Aarvark, to be honest - no. Especially since the side steps are down so low.

One option might be to get these for your doors; http://www.trdparts4u.com/MC-DCIG-I.aspx

I am very keen on getting the door protection mouldings, Toyota USA have them as accessories but Toyota Aus say you have to get them from USA, has anyone tried, or could a group be formed to get some bulk?

Anyone heard if toyota will bring out a supercharged engine for the kluger, i mean, it is the same as the aurion and that has the trd aurion with 245kw! Would add a little extra spice to what is already a good car.

I have emailed TRD who handballed me to Toyota customer service and they claimed they cant release information of that type, I believe one was spotted on the Geelong road some months ago.

Has anyone fitted one and where did you locate the controller, my thoughts are under the steering column or somehow utilising the small storage compartment on the right of the dash or the open storage in the centre above the console?

I am about to install one and I am mounting mine attached to the bottom of the dashboard panel below the small compartment you are suggesting.

Thanks for the feedback let me know how it goes, my concern is knocking it with your knee when entering and getting out of the seat, also the manual lever if you ever have to use it will require you to reach and take your eyes off the road,

the idea of having it under the steering column if a special standoff bracket is made the units screen can be viewed through the bottom spoke of the steering wheel and the manual lever could be operated without taking your eyes off the road.

Has anyone fitted one and where did you locate the controller, my thoughts are under the steering column or somehow utilising the small storage compartment on the right of the dash or the open storage in the centre above the console?

I am about to install one and I am mounting mine attached to the bottom of the dashboard panel below the small compartment you are suggesting.

Has anyone fitted one and where did you locate the controller, my thoughts are under the steering column or somehow utilising the small storage compartment on the right of the dash or the open storage in the centre above the console?

Anyone pick up your 2008 kluger? I ordered since January, but still waiting, hopefully can pick it up next week.

dont hold your breath I ordered in November and took delivery March