Hilux Surf Field Monitor installed in a 3rd Gen Write-Up *PICS*

Rock Slide · 09-07-2006, 12:40 PM

I obtained a Field Monitor Overhead Console out of Hilux Surf some months back from a friend of mine who resides in New Zealand. He originally pulled this unit out of Surf while in a stay in Japan. This particular unit is designed to fit a Surf that came with a factory installed sunroof. Since the headliners are different on both sunroof and non-sunroof Surfs, Toyota also offered a field monitor (identical in function to mine below), that was designed to fit a non-sunroof Surf.

FYI, these Field Monitors were only available on Hilux Surfs. There were never an option for a 4Runner in the United States.

This Field Monitor is a temperature gauge, barometer, compass, altimeter and relative altimeter all in one. Of course the coolest thing is the scrolling green lights that start up once the vehicle starts moving!

I located a set of numbers stamped on it I believe to be the part number for this unit:

83290-35010
79127
Jeco Japan
>P.P.<

I'm fairly positive the first line of numbers is the part number, and the third line states where it was made. I'm not sure what the second line of numbers mean or what >P.P.< stands for.

Here are the wiring directions given to me by Soljah that I used to not only make the field monitor operate correctly, but also the sunroof and dome light switches as well:

The buddy of mine that I picked this FM up from, cut the wires about 10 inches from the White Plug (pictured above), so I would have a decent amount of wiring to work with. With that being said, below are the wiring directions These wires not only make the field monitor operate correctly, but to also make the sunroof and dome light switches work as well:

Now when I refer to certain wires as ?coming off the Blue Plug? as seen below, I am referring to the Blue Plug that connects to my Sunroof Switch Control Unit (that big white looking part) and to the map lights. I am not referring to the wires that go from the Blue Plug up and into the headliner.

Take each wire and connect it to its corresponding wire as so:

Field Monitor:
1. Blue/Yellow wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Gray wire coming off the Blue Plug.
2. White/Black wire coming off the female end of the White Plug (this wire also could also be Gray), taps into the Black/Red wire coming off the Blue Plug.
3. White/Red wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Red wire coming off the Blue Plug.
Clock:
4. Green wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Green # 3 wire on the back of the clock in the dash.
Temp Sensor:
5. Blue wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, connects to your Air Temp Sensor. (This Sensor needs to be installed behind the front bumper. It contains 2 wires. See next step for second wire connection.)
6. Yellow/Black wire coming off the female end of the White Plug connects to your Air Temp Sensor.
Speed Sensor:
7. Green/Orange wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Grey/Blue wire located at the ABS Unit. (It will be the Grey wire with a Blue stripe on it at the ABS unit. You could also say it is the Blue wire with a Grey stripe on it.)
Sunroof Controls:
9. Blk/Red wire coming off the Blue Plug, taps into the Grey ground wire at the Sunroof Light Switch on the Field Unit.
10. Gray wire coming off the Blue Plug, taps into the White/Black wire on the Sunroof Light Switch.

Just for future reference, listed below is the wiring diagram for a Toyota Hilux LN185 1996-2000 model also given to me by Soljah:

-Blue/Yel to constant 12 Volt
-Whi/Red to Switch 12v (ignition)
-Grn/Org to Speed sensor
-Blue to outside air temp sensor
-Yel/Blk to outside air temp sensor
-Whi/Blk to ground
-Green to dash clock (illumination)
-White to sunroof switch light dimmer
-Blu/White to sunroof switch light dimmer

The first part of the console install for the sunroof model involved swapping the sunroof controls from the original console into the new Field Monitor. Like Soljah?s 4Runner, my 4Runner too only had one button that controlled the tilt/slide of the sunroof. The field monitor came with two buttons. One that controls tilt and the other that controls slide. Since I was unsure how to convert a 2 button sunroof switch to a one button switch, Soljah suggested I swap out the sunroof control from my existing console and install it into the new field monitor. Not only did it fit perfectly, the wiring was very simple. I did not have to swap the dome lights and light switches themselves since they were identical on both units. The only difference is that the overhead factory console has one more screw hole inside itself for the sunroof control box compared to that of the field monitor.

Unlike Midiwall?s 4Runner, the blue sunroof plug in my truck was completely different in size and pins compared to the new Field Monitor. I also did not have to swap my mirror out or cut my headliner to make the new field monitor fit properly. And just to point out, since I have a factory sunroof in my 4Runner, I did not need the metal bracket like the non-sunroof version requires.

Wiring involved splicing the newly swapped sunroof control to points on the field monitor, splicing wires on the White wire harness to wires that were already in place in my headliner and connecting the sensor and illumination wires. The new field monitor attaches in the same screw hole as the original console in the headliner and once installed, looks OEM.

I ran all 4 wires (Two temp sensor wires, illumination wire and speed sensor wire) across the headliner and down the driver?s side A-pillar. The grab handles located on both A-pillars are a pain to remove, as I was only able to remove 1 of the 2 screws holding the grab handle to the A-pillar on the driver?s side. I was lucky enough just to move one end of the grab handle slightly out of the way enough to slide the wires down the A-pillar. I ran the 2 temp sensor wires through the firewall and into the engine compartment. Once there, I connected them to the temp sensor that was also sent to me. The illumination wire was run to the clock in the dash. The radio bezel was pulled to get to the clock of course. The speed sensor wire was run to the ABS unit. On my 2002 4Runner, the ABS Unit is located under the dash on the driver?s side. On other year 4Runners, it?s located behind the kick panel on the passenger?s side.

The wiring was easy (with the directions of course), but both me and Soljah have not yet figured out what the two extra wires connect to that are on the White wire harness on the field monitor. (I know a guy who lives in East Sussex, England who?s taking his field monitor apart as we speak to see if he can find where these 2 mystery wires attach. They are believed to attach to a sunroof light switch dimmer, but I?m unaware of such a device. If he finds out some new info, I?ll post it.)

I was fortunate I did not have to paint mine like Midiwall & Soljah suggested, because mine already matched my gray interior.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are the original links to threads started by both Midiwall & Soljah where they have both installed one of these field monitors in their own 4Runners.

Midiwall installed one in his '96 4Runner: Write Up 1

Soljah installed one in his '99 4Runner: Write Up 2

**NEW MEMBERS ADDING FIELD MONITORS TO THEIR TOYOTAS AS OF 7/07/07**

As more and more Toyota owners are adding these FMs to their vehicles, I will post links to their write ups as well. I know of a couple guys working on getting their FMs to operate, so when they get a write up done, I'll add them to. So far:

Ritzy4Runner installed one in his '98 4Runner - Write up 1, additional info: Part B

Iceman601 installed one in his '97 4Runner - Write Up 2

Blarchitect installed one in his '98 4Runner - Write Up 3

Keep them coming guys!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And for another quick future reference, I thought I?d restate what Midiwall has already stated in a previous thread:

A couple of points of interest for those looking to do this mod:

·The compass has fairly large steps of 22.5*, so you'll get 16 compass points.
·The compass _is_ magnetic, but it will only update when it detects the vehicle moving (fwd or rev) so you HAVE to hook up the speed sensor.
·The backlight on the display is sensitive to the headlights in a "weird" way (it's relative to ground, not hot). If you _don't_ hookup the headlight sensor, the backlight will be VERY dim.

The first 2 pics below don't do the Field Monitor justice on how bright the display really is, b/c I was taking the pics at night and the flash on my camera was over powering the display on the Field Monitor:

Picture of the Barometer reading:

Picture of the Altimeter reading:

Night shot:

Another Night shot:

Shot of Temp Sensor before it was installed:

EDIT: My Temp Sensor is mounted behind my front bumper. I will add a picture of it mounted soon.

Courtesy of Blarchitect (Gordon) - Here's a picture of a brand new, oem temp sensor he was able to purchase for his install:

Shot of the 2 button sunroof controls that came stock on the Field Monitor w/ the lens cover removed. (I was doing a test fit here before I swapped in my 1 button sunroof control out of my factory console.)

And a shot of those 2 mysterious wires that I?m unsure where they belong:

A few members have asked me recently how this model compares in shape to a nonsunroof model, thus a quick explanation:

Personally, I think if you are deciding between a field monitor that fits either a 4Runner with a sunroof or one without, I'd pick the model depending on whether or not my truck had a sunroof or not. Another words, I chose the sunroof field monitor because my 4Runner came with a sunroof from the factory.

That being said, I took a few pics that should hopefully answer any questions. The roof area in front of the sunroof and between the windshield is flat from driverside door to passenger side door. The roof simply angles from the windshield back to the sunroof by about 15 degrees.

You'll notice my field monitor follows the contours of my roof line perfectly:

My wife drives a 2000 4Runner that came from the factory without a sunroof. However, the previous owner had a sunroof installed, but never swapped out the oem overhead console for a sunroof version.

Granted she does not have a field monitor in her 4Runner, but as you can see in this picture, this is what her overhead console looks like. I've seen a nonsunroof field monitor before and they are shaped just like this.

Notice the funny lip at the end compared to mine:

**************************************************

**EDIT** 04/20/07

Here's a Step-by-Step Write-up I did for a fellow YT member recently. I feel like this write-up is important and it may help others install this Field Monitor with a little more ease. Good luck.

Okay here goes.

Here is a picture of the Field Monitor removed from the plastic trim:

Notice the cover and female plug on it:

The cover removed:

The wires from the circuit board (from the picture you sent me) attach to a female white plug that sits outside the black box cover:

Here's how mine come off the circuit board:

From there, they all connect to this female white plug that sits on the top of the black cover:

I peeled back the wire loom to see how the wires fed into the back of the female plug:

Here is a listing of each wire in order how they connect to the back of the FEMALE plug:

TOP ROW - from left to right:

Red wire
Red/White wire
Blue wire
White wire
Black/White wire

BOTTOM ROW - from left to right:

Slot one is empty
Green wire
Yellow wire
Black/Yellow wire
Black wire

Now, from there, this female plug connects to this male white plug:

Both connected:

Here is the backside of the male connector:

You see how the wires change color from when they enter the female plug and exit the male plug. Interesting huh?

Here is a listing of each wire in order how they connect to the back of the MALE plug:

TOP ROW - from left to right:

1. Blue wire
2. Yellow/Black wire
3. Green/Orange wire
4. White/Red wire
5. Blue/Yellow wire

BOTTOM ROW - from left to right:

1. White/Black wire
2. "Flesh" tone wire - *see below
3. Blue/White wire - *see below
4. Green wire
5. Empty

*Both the Blue/White wire and "Flesh" tone wire are not attached. I do not know where these 2 wires go.

You'll have to mirror my explanation of how the wires connect from the female plug to the male plug to get everything correctly wired.

Here is the blue plug located in my Headliner. Also in the picture, notice the backside of my OEM sunroof control unit. (It's that white looking piece):

Again, I was not able to use the 2-button sunroof control feature that came with this Field monitor, b/c it did not match up correctly with my 4Runner. Therefore, I removed it from the Field Monitor and replaced it with my OEM 1-button sunroof control unit. Here is how the wires feed out of it. They connect to my Blue plug in the headliner:

The wires that come out of the male white plug connect in the following manner: (I took this info from my original thread here on YT):

Here are the wiring directions given to me by Soljah that I used to not only make the field monitor operate correctly, but also the sunroof and dome light switches as well:

The buddy of mine that I picked this FM up from, cut the wires about 10 inches from the White Plug (pictured above), so I would have a decent amount of wiring to work with. With that being said, below are the wiring directions These wires not only make the field monitor operate correctly, but to also make the sunroof and dome light switches work as well:

Now when I refer to certain wires as ?coming off the Blue Plug? as seen below, I am referring to the Blue Plug that connects to my Sunroof Switch Control Unit (that big white looking part) and to the map lights. I am not referring to the wires that go from the Blue Plug up and into the headliner.

Take each wire and connect it to its corresponding wire as so:

Field Monitor:
1. Blue/Yellow wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Gray wire coming off the Blue Plug.
2. White/Black wire coming off the female end of the White Plug (this wire also could also be Gray), taps into the Black/Red wire coming off the Blue Plug.
3. White/Red wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Red wire coming off the Blue Plug.
Clock:
4. Green wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Green # 3 wire on the back of the clock in the dash.
Temp Sensor:
5. Blue wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, connects to your Air Temp Sensor. (This Sensor needs to be installed behind the front bumper. It contains 2 wires. See next step for second wire connection.)
6. Yellow/Black wire coming off the female end of the White Plug connects to your Air Temp Sensor.
Speed Sensor:
7. Green/Orange wire coming off the female end of the White Plug, taps into the Grey/Blue wire located at the ABS Unit. (It will be the Grey wire with a Blue stripe on it at the ABS unit. You could also say it is the Blue wire with a Grey stripe on it.)
Sunroof Controls:
9. Blk/Red wire coming off the Blue Plug, taps into the Grey ground wire at the Sunroof Light Switch on the Field Unit.
10. Gray wire coming off the Blue Plug, taps into the White/Black wire on the Sunroof Light Switch.

Just for future reference, listed below is the wiring diagram for a Toyota Hilux LN185 1996-2000 model also given to me by Soljah:

-Blue/Yel to constant 12 Volt
-Whi/Red to Switch 12v (ignition)
-Grn/Org to Speed sensor
-Blue to outside air temp sensor
-Yel/Blk to outside air temp sensor
-Whi/Blk to ground
-Green to dash clock (illumination)
-White to sunroof switch light dimmer
-Blu/White to sunroof switch light dimmer

Hope that helps you or at least better explains the inner workings of this unit.

**EDIT OVER**

************************************************** *

Here are some pics from a Surf manual showing how to operate the field monitor:

From what member RoySharif stated in a previous thread on this subject:

This one is the basic Field Monitor, which is an option on the N185 Hilux Surfs (3rd gens). Another option is the GPS Field Monitor. This one incorporates a small trip computer and is programmable. It can also be linked to a GPS device although individually, it has GPS capability for a limited number of functions.

Unfortunately, this model will not work properly in the United States because it?s made to work in only specific countries. At least this is what others who have these monitors have told me. Here are a few pictures of one of these GPS Field Monitors:

Anyway, just thought I?d post up what I?ve been playing around with for the past couple of weeks or so. A big thanks goes to Midiwall and Soljah for all the help and knowledge of electrical work they both provided! I know they were getting tired of my constant emails.

Thanks again guys!

**

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

petros · 09-07-2006, 02:55 PM

That's very cool. So much better than the aftermarket temp gauges and compass units that can be added on. I'd be interested in finding one of these and putting it in based on the writeup

.

99SR5 · 09-07-2006, 07:09 PM

that is nuts

Jason B · 09-08-2006, 01:49 AM

Looks great. Is there a way to get the outside temp to show in F?

uberhahn · 09-08-2006, 05:33 AM

There was a compass style on ebay some months ago...I think it went for over $600... cool, but not that cool. good you got from a friend. me likey. I'd love to get a GPS one

lee · 09-08-2006, 05:39 AM

nice that looks pretty cool
what was this originally available for / where?

Rock Slide · 09-08-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jason B
Looks great. Is there a way to get the outside temp to show in F?

Not that I'm aware of.

Since it was designed to read C, I don't how difficult, if at all, it would be to convert it to read F.

With that being said, I've been doing like others have and converting it in my head! (C x 2) + 30 = F.

Quote:

Originally posted by uberhahn
There was a compass style on ebay some months ago...I think it went for over $600... cool, but not that cool. good you got from a friend. me likey. I'd love to get a GPS one

Yeah, 600 bucks is steep. The GPS one would be awesome to have too. I talked to another guy from England who said most of the Surfs that are imported there from Japan get these ripped out before the Surfs even go up for sale. That’s not to say that some make it though.

Another guy I talked to said he and a buddy were able to get there hands on one of these GPS units, but when they tried to install it, it still didn't work in Britian. He said the units are not linked to road maps, but rather waypoints and therefore only work properly in the country they were designed to work in.

Quote:

Originally posted by lee
nice that looks pretty cool
what was this originally available for / where?

Thanks.

This is where it gets tricky. To my understanding, they were only available on 3rd Gen Hilux Surfs as an option. Or if you got what's considered a limited Surf (not sure what they designate as a limited Surf), I believe they came standard. As far as the GPS units, not sure what Surfs got those.

I began to think only Surfs got these units, but a guy in London has a '96 4Runner and he said he’s got the same field monitor as I do in his 4Runner standard. Go figure? So it appears some 4Runners get them as an option as well.

Now as far as what country or area they were sold in Surfs/4Runners is just as tricky. I know for a fact U.S. 4Runners were never offered a field monitor as an option, nor can you just walk into any toyota dealer and ask for one. They'll look at you like you're speaking a foreign language. Most of the dealers I asked thought I was asking for some part in the engine??

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Canadian Surfs/4Runners or South American Surfs/4Runners were given a field monitor as an option either.

I know Japanese and New Zealand Surfs either came w/ them standard or as an option. I've even heard a few Aussie Surfs have them standard as well. Either way, it seems they were only placed in Surfs/4Runners located in the Eastern Continents of the World. Who knows what Toyota's reasoning was behind this?

Bob_98SR5 · 09-08-2006, 08:20 AM

rock slide,

freakin' fantastic work!!! would you mind if i added this to the tech section? i will need to copy the images with your permission too.

thanks,
bob

Rock Slide · 09-08-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob_98SR5
rock slide,

freakin' fantastic work!!! would you mind if i added this to the tech section? i will need to copy the images with your permission too.

thanks,
bob

Thanks!

By all means, put it in the tech section...and yes, you have my permission to copy the pics.

If possible, please add my responses to the 3 comments above as well b/c they were very good questions that I did not state in the initial write-up.

Thanks

Jason B · 09-08-2006, 10:35 AM

I'm actually working with my contact to try and get brand new units. Will let you guys know how it goes.

Rock Slide · 09-08-2006, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jason B
I'm actually working with my contact to try and get brand new units. Will let you guys know how it goes.

Wow, that'd be great! I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem selling them.

Good luck.

mastacox · 09-08-2006, 12:25 PM

Man, I really want one of those Compass/Inclinometer/Altimeter ones, it's so clean!!! I'll definitley be on the look out to grab one up

Arron · 09-09-2006, 04:37 AM

I would love to get one as well, if someone gets a lead for a beige color one let me know, that would be so sweet.

Does someone have some part #'s, maybe get someone in japan to order a couple from a dealer? I may have a buddie posted there soon.

***midiwall*** · 09-09-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason B

Looks great. Is there a way to get the outside temp to show in F?

Hey Jason...

I pulled mine apart before the install and I had some ideas but never tried 'em out. There's nothing "stock" on the unit that would let you do it, either from the front panel or inside. But... There are two empty switch pads on the board that must be for some option, possibly a C/F switch. One of these days I just have to try it out.

My ultimate thought was to replace the chip with a over-the-counter part that will support C/F. That's not the easiest thing to do though in terms of driving the LCD display, and it would still leave you with metric pressure and altitude.

In the end... (C x 2) + 30 rulez.

fireteacher · 09-09-2006, 12:23 PM

i would deff be interested in a new one, i cant find one used and sure as "bleep" am not paying 600 for one!

Rock Slide · 09-09-2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fireteacher
i would deff be interested in a new one, i cant find one used and sure as "bleep" am not paying 600 for one!

Second that.

I saw one on Ebay go for under $200 before...so you just have to be on the lookout for them.

fireteacher · 09-09-2006, 03:11 PM

hopefully they'll go for about 150!!!!

**aviator** · 09-09-2006, 04:42 PM

Very interesting... personally i'd like to change the altimeter to feet from meters and the barometer to inches of mercury from hectopascals... btu I can use my aviation computer if I have to... wonder if those unused switch pads would change it to imperial measurements from metric?
aviator

vegaskurt · 09-09-2006, 07:00 PM

If you can get new ones pm me.

RunnerUp · 09-10-2006, 02:26 PM

yeah, i would buy one tomorrow if i could find one for an acceptable price...

Rock Slide · 03-18-2008, 10:57 AM

**UPDATE**

Exterior installed LED Bulbs Interfere with the Illumination of the Field Monitor's Display.

I felt the below information was of relevant importance, thus the reason I have revived this thread.

I recently replaced my OEM taillights with a pair of Eagle Eye LED Taillights I purchased from Burtman Industries. Upon completion of the installation, I noticed my Field Monitor’s display was not as bright as it once was before the install. (Let me point out, I did not replace my turn signal bulbs or my reverse bulbs in these new LED tails with LED bulbs. These particular bulbs remained halogen.)

To test, I turned my vehicle’s parking lights ON (both LED tails were installed). The FM did in fact dim just like it was designed to. However, when I turned my vehicle’s parking lights OFF, the FM attempted to brighten. It flickered once very quickly, but it never did brighten? Every time I turned my parking lights ON and then OFF, the FM display would dim and then flicker once, but it still remained dim.

(To give you some background on the installation of my FM, one of the FM wires itself is tapped into the vehicle’s dash clock. By tapping the appropriate wire in this manner, it allows the FM’s display to operate exactly like that of the dash clock’s display. The FM’s display is as bright as the dash clock when the vehicle’s parking lights are turned OFF. Once the vehicle’s parking lights are turned ON, the clock’s display dims, thus the FM’s display dims. Also to point out, the dimming/brightness feature of the vehicle’s dash clock never did fail. It operated the way it was designed to, even with the LED tails installed. Only had the display of my FM changed.)

To further test, I first uninstalled just the driver side LED tail and reinstalled the OEM tail in its place. I checked the display of the FM and to my amazement, the FM’s display was now as bright as it was before I had installed both LED tails. I thought this was odd, that with one LED tail installed and one OEM tail installed, the FM’s display operated correctly. Go figure.

Next, I removed the driver side OEM tail, yet did NOT reinstall the driver side LED tail. I simply left only the passenger side LED tail installed and nothing in the driver side slot. I checked the FM’s display again and found that the display was operating poorly just like it did when both LED tails were installed.

Therefore, the FM’s display did NOT operate correctly under these 2 conditions:

1. If both LED tails were installed or
2. If just the passenger side LED tail was installed and nothing was installed on the driver’s side.

The FM’s display DID operate properly as long as the driver side OEM tail was installed in conjunction with the passenger side LED tail installed.

Third and final test…I remembered I had installed a set of LED bulbs in my front corner lights about 2 weeks prior. At that time, the display of the FM still operated correctly. Well, just for grins, I removed both of these LED corner bulbs and installed a pair of halogen bulbs in their place. I went to the rear of the vehicle and made sure both driver and passenger side LED tails were installed. I then checked the display of the FM again. To my surprise, the FM was now operating correctly! Apparently, installing a pair of halogen bulbs in the corner lights corrected the brightness issue I was having with the FM with also having a pair of LED tails installed.

I understand the electrical draw from LEDs is very low compared to that of halogens, but I had no idea that installing exterior LEDs would affect the illumination of my Overhead Field Monitor. And not just affect it, but only it. Everything else that illuminates within the cabin remained unchanged.

So to sum things up, if you currently have a Hilux Surf Overhead Field Monitor Console installed in your 4Runner and you then decide to install a pair of LED taillights and multiple LED bulbs in other areas of your vehicle, be sure to NOT over do it. Otherwise, you will have an issue with your FM’s display being very dim at all times. I’m sure there is a work around solution to allow you to have multiple LED bulbs installed in conjunction with LED taillights installed, but for me, it was much easier to just replace my corner bulbs with a pair of halogen bulbs and keep my new LED taillights installed.

blarchitect · 03-18-2008, 11:31 AM

Will keep this in mind when I go down the LED road.
Didn't I read somewhere about a resistor being required to stop the ABS warning light flashing on some models. Do you think this might help?

Rock Slide · 03-18-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blarchitect

Will keep this in mind when I go down the LED road.
Didn't I read somewhere about a resistor being required to stop the ABS warning light flashing on some models. Do you think this might help?

It is very possible that a resistor may indeed help. Guess we'll have to wait and see

**aviator** · 03-18-2008, 02:41 PM

Very well done report brother rock slide, the bright/dim problem is definitely related to a low draw situation caused by the switch to LEDs. Strange that it seems to stick in dim mode though... it is almost like dim is the default setting for the display and bright is the "option", as for the clock still working I'd guess that the electronics in it are less sensitive to current draw changes.

Strange that the GPS would not function to tell you where you are globally Lat./Long. wise... I can understand why it would not tell you where you are [road/city] because that info is a function of the unit's database which in this install is probably very small. Some electronics wiz/nerd could probably hook up an SD card reader which would allow for a variable database ie [Mex./US/Can., Europe and so forth] you'd still never get turn by turn directions though...

edit just reread the GPS FM post, if an external GPS like a Lawrence 600 or Garmin ? could be connected to it then the unit like the post says is posible would it not be functioning solely as a display then? It should be able to give you basic location/direction/distance info right?

Rock Slide · 03-19-2008, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviator

Strange that the GPS would not function to tell you where you are globally Lat./Long. wise... I can understand why it would not tell you where you are [road/city] because that info is a function of the unit's database which in this install is probably very small. Some electronics wiz/nerd could probably hook up an SD card reader which would allow for a variable database ie [Mex./US/Can., Europe and so forth] you'd still never get turn by turn directions though...

edit just reread the GPS FM post, if an external GPS like a Lawrence 600 or Garmin could be connected to it then the unit like the post says is posible would it not be functioning solely as a display then? It should be able to give you basic location/direction/distance info right?

That does seem possible.

These Field Monitors (like the basic model I have) are hard enough to come by and well, the GPS Field Monitors are even harder. You have a better chance of hitting the lottery than finding a GPS FM in good working condition.

With that said, if you ever come across a GPS FM, let me know. Maybe we could run some tests on it and find out if it is possible to getting working here in North America

09-07-2006, 02:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
petros Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nevada Posts: 77	That's very cool. So much better than the aftermarket temp gauges and compass units that can be added on. I'd be interested in finding one of these and putting it in based on the writeup . __________________ 1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4

09-07-2006, 07:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
99SR5 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: leesburg, VA Posts: 784	that is nuts __________________ 87 4Runner SR5 - some spacer lift with cranked torsion bars - 31x10.50/15 BFG Mud Terrain KM2 (amazing tires!) 99 4Runner SR5 Highlander-auto - K&N filter, removed intake elbow, open air box, deckplate mod - 265/75/R16 BFG MT's on stock 5 star's - raised rear diff breather 2003 Mach 1 -full bolt ons, 4.10 gears, tuned by Excessive Motorsports; 307 hp, 326 tq

09-08-2006, 01:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jason B Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA-PA Posts: 1,912	Looks great. Is there a way to get the outside temp to show in F? __________________ Jason B 4Runner Limited For Toyota/SUV Accessories, please visit *www.burtmanindustries.com* My 4Runner Website Email: jason@burtmanindustries.com Live Chat/Message Board: http://get.to/jasonforum AOL/AIM: JNB133

09-08-2006, 05:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
uberhahn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 142	There was a compass style on ebay some months ago...I think it went for over $600... cool, but not that cool. good you got from a friend. me likey. I'd love to get a GPS one __________________ Gettin' out, for now...

09-08-2006, 10:35 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jason B Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA-PA Posts: 1,912	I'm actually working with my contact to try and get brand new units. Will let you guys know how it goes. __________________ Jason B 4Runner Limited For Toyota/SUV Accessories, please visit *www.burtmanindustries.com* My 4Runner Website Email: jason@burtmanindustries.com Live Chat/Message Board: http://get.to/jasonforum AOL/AIM: JNB133

09-08-2006, 05:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
lee Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: boston, ma Posts: 6,756	nice that looks pretty cool what was this originally available for / where?

09-08-2006, 08:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,092	rock slide, freakin' fantastic work!!! would you mind if i added this to the tech section? i will need to copy the images with your permission too. thanks, bob

09-08-2006, 12:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
mastacox Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 2,650	Man, I really want one of those Compass/Inclinometer/Altimeter ones, it's so clean!!! I'll definitley be on the look out to grab one up __________________ Brian 1998 4Runner SR5

09-09-2006, 04:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
Arron Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Posts: 49	I would love to get one as well, if someone gets a lead for a beige color one let me know, that would be so sweet. Does someone have some part #'s, maybe get someone in japan to order a couple from a dealer? I may have a buddie posted there soon. __________________ Arron

09-09-2006, 12:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
fireteacher Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 1,687	i would deff be interested in a new one, i cant find one used and sure as "bleep" am not paying 600 for one! __________________ Shaun 99 limited 4runner 3.4L MODS: TJM-17/Sonoran shackle hangers/driving lights - DIFF Breather - Sliders - Cobra 19 ULTRA III cb and 3ft. Wilson ant - 265/75/16 Definity Dakota A/T - "SATOSHI MOD" - All Weather Mats - Locker Mod - Fog Light Mod - Vortex Classic Muffler My profile http://yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=96117

09-09-2006, 03:11 PM	#17 (permalink)
fireteacher Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 1,687	hopefully they'll go for about 150!!!! __________________ Shaun 99 limited 4runner 3.4L MODS: TJM-17/Sonoran shackle hangers/driving lights - DIFF Breather - Sliders - Cobra 19 ULTRA III cb and 3ft. Wilson ant - 265/75/16 Definity Dakota A/T - "SATOSHI MOD" - All Weather Mats - Locker Mod - Fog Light Mod - Vortex Classic Muffler My profile http://yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=96117

09-09-2006, 04:42 PM	#18 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 7,469	Very interesting... personally i'd like to change the altimeter to feet from meters and the barometer to inches of mercury from hectopascals... btu I can use my aviation computer if I have to... wonder if those unused switch pads would change it to imperial measurements from metric? aviator __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club - Get well soon Mary Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

09-09-2006, 07:00 PM	#19 (permalink)
vegaskurt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 374	If you can get new ones pm me. __________________ 1997 Limited 4Runner \| Stubbs Sliders \| Budbuilt Skid and Belly \| Homemade Bumper

09-10-2006, 02:26 PM	#20 (permalink)
RunnerUp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,020	yeah, i would buy one tomorrow if i could find one for an acceptable price... __________________ Kyle 2002 4Runner - Lifted/Locked/Armored/Charged - 145k Miles 2007 4Runner V8 Sport Edition 4WD 20k Miles Buy My Stuff!!! http://www.yotatech.com/f109/97-4run...rt-out-151470/

03-18-2008, 10:57 AM	#21 (permalink)
Rock Slide Contributing Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: B'ham, AL... 2002 4Runner Sport 4WD Posts: 2,046	UPDATE Exterior installed LED Bulbs Interfere with the Illumination of the Field Monitor's Display. I felt the below information was of relevant importance, thus the reason I have revived this thread. I recently replaced my OEM taillights with a pair of Eagle Eye LED Taillights I purchased from Burtman Industries. Upon completion of the installation, I noticed my Field Monitor’s display was not as bright as it once was before the install. (Let me point out, I did not replace my turn signal bulbs or my reverse bulbs in these new LED tails with LED bulbs. These particular bulbs remained halogen.) To test, I turned my vehicle’s parking lights ON (both LED tails were installed). The FM did in fact dim just like it was designed to. However, when I turned my vehicle’s parking lights OFF, the FM attempted to brighten. It flickered once very quickly, but it never did brighten? Every time I turned my parking lights ON and then OFF, the FM display would dim and then flicker once, but it still remained dim. (To give you some background on the installation of my FM, one of the FM wires itself is tapped into the vehicle’s dash clock. By tapping the appropriate wire in this manner, it allows the FM’s display to operate exactly like that of the dash clock’s display. The FM’s display is as bright as the dash clock when the vehicle’s parking lights are turned OFF. Once the vehicle’s parking lights are turned ON, the clock’s display dims, thus the FM’s display dims. Also to point out, the dimming/brightness feature of the vehicle’s dash clock never did fail. It operated the way it was designed to, even with the LED tails installed. Only had the display of my FM changed.) To further test, I first uninstalled just the driver side LED tail and reinstalled the OEM tail in its place. I checked the display of the FM and to my amazement, the FM’s display was now as bright as it was before I had installed both LED tails. I thought this was odd, that with one LED tail installed and one OEM tail installed, the FM’s display operated correctly. Go figure. Next, I removed the driver side OEM tail, yet did NOT reinstall the driver side LED tail. I simply left only the passenger side LED tail installed and nothing in the driver side slot. I checked the FM’s display again and found that the display was operating poorly just like it did when both LED tails were installed. Therefore, the FM’s display did NOT operate correctly under these 2 conditions: 1. If both LED tails were installed or 2. If just the passenger side LED tail was installed and nothing was installed on the driver’s side. The FM’s display DID operate properly as long as the driver side OEM tail was installed in conjunction with the passenger side LED tail installed. Third and final test…I remembered I had installed a set of LED bulbs in my front corner lights about 2 weeks prior. At that time, the display of the FM still operated correctly. Well, just for grins, I removed both of these LED corner bulbs and installed a pair of halogen bulbs in their place. I went to the rear of the vehicle and made sure both driver and passenger side LED tails were installed. I then checked the display of the FM again. To my surprise, the FM was now operating correctly! Apparently, installing a pair of halogen bulbs in the corner lights corrected the brightness issue I was having with the FM with also having a pair of LED tails installed. I understand the electrical draw from LEDs is very low compared to that of halogens, but I had no idea that installing exterior LEDs would affect the illumination of my Overhead Field Monitor. And not just affect it, but only it. Everything else that illuminates within the cabin remained unchanged. So to sum things up, if you currently have a Hilux Surf Overhead Field Monitor Console installed in your 4Runner and you then decide to install a pair of LED taillights and multiple LED bulbs in other areas of your vehicle, be sure to NOT over do it. Otherwise, you will have an issue with your FM’s display being very dim at all times. I’m sure there is a work around solution to allow you to have multiple LED bulbs installed in conjunction with LED taillights installed, but for me, it was much easier to just replace my corner bulbs with a pair of halogen bulbs and keep my new LED taillights installed. __________________ 2002 4Runner Sport 4WD My 4Runner Profile Accessories: SS 7.1 Lift Kit, WabFab 1" BL, TJM T15, Stubb Sliders, FX/TSX HID Projector Retrofit, 1st Gen Rollbar, Tundra Brake Upgrade, Hilux Surf Field Monitor, TRD Ivan Stewart Wheels, Nitto TG 265/75s, WeatherTechs, Hella HID 4000s, LED Tail Lights, JBL Speakers Mods: Disabled DRLs, Disabled Keyless Entry Chirp, Disabled VTRAC/VSC/ABS, Fog Light Mod, Air Elbow Mod & Rear Diff Breather Mod *"Why fix a Jeep, when you can drive a Toyota?"*

03-18-2008, 11:31 AM	#22 (permalink)
blarchitect Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 382	Will keep this in mind when I go down the LED road. Didn't I read somewhere about a resistor being required to stop the ABS warning light flashing on some models. Do you think this might help?

03-18-2008, 02:41 PM	#24 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 7,469	Very well done report brother rock slide, the bright/dim problem is definitely related to a low draw situation caused by the switch to LEDs. Strange that it seems to stick in dim mode though... it is almost like dim is the default setting for the display and bright is the "option", as for the clock still working I'd guess that the electronics in it are less sensitive to current draw changes. Strange that the GPS would not function to tell you where you are globally Lat./Long. wise... I can understand why it would not tell you where you are [road/city] because that info is a function of the unit's database which in this install is probably very small. Some electronics wiz/nerd could probably hook up an SD card reader which would allow for a variable database ie [Mex./US/Can., Europe and so forth] you'd still never get turn by turn directions though... edit just reread the GPS FM post, if an external GPS like a Lawrence 600 or Garmin ? could be connected to it then the unit like the post says is posible would it not be functioning solely as a display then? It should be able to give you basic location/direction/distance info right? __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club - Get well soon Mary Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way. Last edited by aviator; 03-18-2008 at 02:46 PM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FMU Field Monitor Unit Install in Gen 3	Ritzy4Runner	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	7	01-09-2008 07:37 AM
Importing 3rd gen hilux surf from Japan	964runnerKY	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	20	07-23-2007 03:06 PM
Hilux Surf Field Monitor unit install	Ritzy4Runner	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	12	05-31-2007 09:26 AM
Hilux Surf overhead console installed in 3rd Gen	midiwall	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	34	06-26-2006 06:18 PM
JDM 3rd gen "Hilux Surf" emblem PICS	purplehazek4	The Classifieds GraveYard	1	04-28-2006 06:07 PM