How to Add Cruise Control to an FJ Cruiser

You can install cruise control to the distinctive and compact Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Manufactured with a distinct design, the Toyota FJ Cruiser is a compact sport utility vehicle. Cruise control is a handy feature to have on long drives, and you can equip your vehicle with this option if it wasn't installed with it at the factory. You will need a cruise control kit, and you will have to remove some of your Toyota's interior components, including a few panels and trim.

Things You'll Need

• Cruise control kit
• Trim removal tool
• T-30 Torx screwdriver
• Small screwdriver
• Power drill
• 13 mm socket wrench
• T-bolt tool
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Pop the hood and detach the negative battery cable with a torque wrench.

2. 

   Pop out the steering wheel's side panels with a trim removal tool then remove both T-30 Torx screws to pull out the airbag and gain access to the airbag connectors. Both T-30 Torx screws are located at either end on the face of the steering wheel.

3. Pry out the airbag connectors with a small screwdriver and gently place the airbag on a flat surface, face-up, to avoid activating it.

4. Place the switch hole-cutting template, supplied in the cruise control kit, into the trim piece, also in the cruise control kit, and make two 5 mm holes and one 8 mm hole with a power drill.

5. Insert the switch hole-cutting tool, supplied with the kit, into the holes and torque the screw at the tip of the plastic steering shield piece with a 13 mm socket wrench to pop off the plastic from the hole. Place the cutting tool onto the steering shroud and use it to scrape out any leftover plastic debris.

6. Remove the plastic cutting die from the steering shroud with a T-bolt tool then mount the cruise control switch at the cruise mounting holes in the steering wheel with a Phillips head screwdriver.

7. Pull out the steering wheel connector from the top portion of the steering wheel shroud and pull up on its locking tab. Plug the cruise control switch's red wire to the fifth pin then plug the cruise control switch's black wire to the fourth pin.

8. Reattach the connector's locking tab to mount the connector onto the steering wheel. Reattach the airbag and its connectors, replace both steering wheel shroud trims then reattach the negative battery cable and secure its bolt with a torque wrench at 3 ft.-lbs.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait 90 seconds or more, after disengaging the Toyota's battery, before removing the airbag to prevent accidental deployment.

References

• The Cruise Control Store: 2007-2008 FJ Cruiser (PDF)