Be careful around your 4x4 Selector Switch. How mine broke

[saerandy]

We have heard various stories about brushing by the selector switch and somehow getting the knob to rotate. Ok, hard to imagine how this happens, but get this. The other day I was sitting down and went to scoot to sit up straighter and the utility pocket on my Carhartts caught the edge of the switch - you know how it kind of sticks out - and ripped it straight up. I managed to snap it back into place, but it wasn’t locking anymore just rotating freely. I brought it up to the service advisor today while getting the free maintenance done and they are going to replace it, but just so everyone here knows when you get out of warranty, he told me that to replace the switch with labor out of warranty is $900.

I’ve always felt the position of that switch or at least the way it’s designed was poor. Didn’t think much more about it until I did something. I never thought I would actually do

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[PNWkip]

he told me that to replace the switch with labor out of warranty is $900.

These dealers are absurd.

 

[Yotota]

The switch itself, depending on the truck model, is $250-300 and easy to DIY replace.

 

[jsuber]

Its location digs into my leg.

 

[PNWkip]

Its location digs into my leg.

You guys must have quads the size of my torso

 

[jsuber]

On my SR the selector switch is on the edge of the console near the shifter on drivers side. It’s over the edge for whatever reason.

 

[stuckinsocal]

You guys must have quads the size of my torso

I don't have this issue, but my theory is it has something to do with one's inseam. I'm 6ft with a longer inseam than shorter people and the selector is going to be towards my knee and not my butt. If you have shorter legs, you are going to move the seat forward so you can reach the pedals and I think that is where people's thighs start hitting / touching the selector switch. Add in those big American thighs, and you have a potential issue.

 

[PNWkip]

I don't have this issue, but my theory is it has something to do with one's inseam. I'm 6ft with a longer inseam than shorter people and the selector is going to be towards my knee and not my butt. If you have shorter legs, you are going to move the seat forward so you can reach the pedals and I think that is where people's thighs start hitting / touching the selector switch. Add in those big American thighs, and you have a potential issue.

Maybe !
I saw a similar complaint the other day and I was sitting in there with my wife looking at the 8 inches of space between my selector and my leg and was like "How are people hitting this with their leg??? I can't do it if I try."
But I am 5'8" 160# so maybe something good finally came of me being short

 

[stuckinsocal]

Maybe !
I saw a similar complaint the other day and I was sitting in there with my wife looking at the 8 inches of space between my selector and my leg and was like "How are people hitting this with their leg??? I can't do it if I try."
But I am 5'8" 160# so maybe something good finally came of me being short

My thinking is that you may have decent proportions and / or a higher than average inseam. I respect people of all shapes and sizes but I'm guessing some people are having issues due to... American abundance so to speak. And maybe Toyota should have accounted for that; the Tacoma is a North American truck after all and we are not known for being petite figures. I too have a lot of space between me and the 4WD selector so this is the best theory I could think of; unless we can get all of these people in the room and do measurements I'm sticking to it.

 

[shackley]

Maybe !
I saw a similar complaint the other day and I was sitting in there with my wife looking at the 8 inches of space between my selector and my leg and was like "How are people hitting this with their leg??? I can't do it if I try."
But I am 5'8" 160# so maybe something good finally came of me being short

I'm about that size. I feel sorry for the guys a head taller than me on commercial flights.

 

[PNWkip]

My thinking is that you may have decent proportions and / or a higher than average inseam. I respect people of all shapes and sizes but I'm guessing some people are having issues due to... American abundance so to speak. And maybe Toyota should have accounted for that; the Tacoma is a North American truck after all and we are not known for being petite figures. I too have a lot of space between me and the 4WD selector so this is the best theory I could think of; unless we can get all of these people in the room and do measurements I'm sticking to it.

I'm 30"/30"

Maybe 8 inch gap was an exaggeration, but yea, plenty of space in an SR5

 

[stuckinsocal]

I'm 30"/30"

Maybe 8 inch gap was an exaggeration, but yea, plenty of space in an SR5

With that inseam I think on average you have decently long legs proportion wise, which is a good thing. My seat is a bit farther back, closer to the middle of my thigh where the width tapers off. When people say the 4x4 knob rubs they should post pictures like this, and of their driving position so we can see what's up! I want to say the manual has the knob in the same place so it isn't that.

 

[PNWkip]

With that inseam I think on average you have decently long legs proportion wise, which is a good thing. My seat is a bit farther back, closer to the middle of my thigh where the width tapers off. When people say the 4x4 knob rubs they should post pictures like this, and of their driving position so we can see what's up! I want to say the manual has the knob in the same place so it isn't that.

Agreed!
And also, point of clarification, when I said "Quads the size of my torso" I was implying muscle mass. I too respect all sizes!

 

[stuckinsocal]

Agreed!
And also, point of clarification, when I said "Quads the size of my torso" I was implying muscle mass. I too respect all sizes!

I can only wish to look that good when I hopefully get to that age. Maybe a little juice was involved, but he put in a lot of hard work as well. I don't touch that stuff but people talk about it like it magically gives you that kind of body....

 

[bajathree]

What these dealers charge for parts for walk in customers is crazy. I looked up real quick on Toyotas parts site for the OEM touch uo paint for my Tacoma...it said right around $9. I was passing my Toyota dealer the next day and walked in to see if they had in stock...they did and he started writing up the bill for $29. I told him I saw it online through Toyota with store pick-up for $9. He said for walk in without ordering online it's $29. CRAZY...I ordered online right in front of him on Toyota and chose the dealership I was in for pick-up. Paid the $9.....service advisor was pissed.

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