Mohamed

Can you guys with a 2000 and up 4Runner that have the two pwr outlets in the front, open your fuse box in the engine bay (on the driver's side) and check to see if your pwr outlet relay is the small black rectangle at the lower right corner of the box?

The reason why I ask is I may have a mod (based on my Tundra's relay) to make them two outlets underneath the dash to remain on all the time in the 4Runner. I am going to attempt the mod first on my friend's wife's sister's new 4Runner first and then let you all know of the results. Of course I will give details in the end. But quickly speaking what you basically do is take out the relay, and using a pocket knife, CAREFULLY, pry the black cover off. As exposed, you should see an anvil that contacts the metal plate when there is current or the key is in the ignition turn on. If you wedge something in between the back housing and the anvil back, you can make the anvil always contacting the plate so that the two pwr outlets underneath the dash remain on all the time, even with the key out of the ignition. The thing is, I did the mod on my Tundra, but it uses a big brown relay (the same one for the headlights) and this guy on the 4Runner is a small black relay. To me that a huge difference and i wonder why such a small relay for the 4Runner. I wonder if it is just the same relay but in a compact size (I know both are 12V relays but still I am confused). Anyway, thanks in advance.

alanh

According to my 2000 electrical manual, that is the relay. It controls the two outlets in front as well as the one in the rear.
Alan

Mohamed

Thanks man, I will try it out and let you all know how it goes!