Just bought a brand new 2001 Toyota Tacoma Pick up

[WU3U]

Would like to know if anyone has installed HF gear in a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Pick Up.  The vehicle is being delivered this week and I plan to install my Yaesu FT100D in it.

The set up will be as follows:  The rig will be mounted in an aluminum toolbox located in the pick up's bed just behind the cab.  I plan to mount a High Sierra motorized HF antenna system on the toolbox with their Universal adapter.  The remote head for the transceiver will be somewhere on the dash with the control cable routed back into the aluminum toolbox as outlined above.

Has anyone had any problems with RFI to the the vehicle's computer system or any simular problem?  Will the antenna be too close to the radio if mounted on the toolbox as outlined??

Any input is appreciated!

73 to all,

Tim
N8LXR
morsenut@aol.com

[W9BS]

I just installed the High Sierra mobile antenna with an FT100D in my 2001 Tacoma 4x4.  It will work, but...

I have noticed that with 100w on 80m, when I transmitted a dead carrier, the engine would "studder".  Just tonight I kept it keyed down to see if it would totally kill the engine.  It never did, but it was very close to it.  The problem I have now is the "Check Engine" light came on after I did it.  And it won't go out.  The Truck is running just fine, but that light is on now.  I will have to take it to the dealer to have them reset it, although I cannot really detect any problems.

I am quite dismayed at this situation, because I was planning on adding a Ameritron ALS500M primarily for 80m operations.  If I got into the computer with 100w, I hate to think what will happen at 500w.  I was searching around the Internet just now to see if anyone else had problems, when I came across you message.

I mentioned this once on 80m, and someone said that it is a common problem with Toyota trucks.  I am hoping by re-routing the coax (running under the truck), power cable and trying different grounding, that I will be able to clear the problem.  It doesn't do it all the time with 100w, and not at all on SSB, but obviously another 6db of power is going to make thing worse.   I hope to find some possible solutions.

I have NO problems on other bands...just 80.  And only
on a dead 100w carrier.  SSB is OK, and I am very pleased with the performance of the antenna on all bands.  I am using the Trailer hitch mount.  The important thing to getting it working right was to provide a good ground to the frame.  It tunes fine
from 3.7 to 29, although for 10m, the antenna must be ALL the way down.

73 and good luck!

Gary - W9BS

[W9BS]

Oh Oh.  I just found this, and it is not good.  I probably have problems now that I am not even aware of because of the "Check Engine" light coming on.  I can forget running 500w in this truck.  Had I known that, and done my homework beforehand, I would never have bought it (although I like the truck).  I plan on removing the antenna, mount and radio with all wiring from the truck before taking it to the dealer.  Or else they might not cover it with the warantee if they don't like my installation.  According to this, 100w is the MAX that can be run.  Bummer.

Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc
Customer Assistance Center
19001 South Western Ave
PO Box 1991
Torrance, CA 90509-2991
800-331-4331

   Toyota says that the ECMs in all modern vehicles are easily damaged by
electromagnetic radiation from high-power radio transmitters. The resultant
problems could affect the operation of vital vehicle functions. The proper
and safe operation of the vehicle could be compromised if any of the
following situations, and possibly others exist: the transceiver is not type
accepted; the power or antenna cables radiate RF current; the routing of the
power or antenna cables results in inductive or capacitive coupling;
transmitter, feed line and/or antenna inefficiencies results in an
unacceptable level of RF radiation exposure to the ECMs; the SWR is
unacceptably high or the antenna ground plane is inadequate.  

   Toyota has prepared an installation guideline entitled "Two-Way Radios In
Toyota Vehicles." In addition to the potential problems mentioned above, the
guideline states that the maximum output power of the transmitter must be
100-W or less; all installations and operating instructions provided by
Toyota and the transmitter manufacturer must be followed; the antenna must be
installed as far away as possible from all ECMs or other on-board sensors:
the antenna cabling must be routed no closer than 20 cm (7 7/8 inches) from
the ECM or sensors; all antenna and power cabling must not be routed
alongside or near the vehicle's wiring harness, preferably crossing vehicle
wiring at right angles; the antenna should be adjusted to obtain the lowest
possible standing-wave ratio. All of this notwithstanding, they did emphasize
that any damage caused by higher-power mobile radio is specifically excluded
from warranty coverage.  

   Owner's manuals from 1993 and earlier published a 10-W power limitation.
This in being deleted from 1994 manuals and the limitations in the guideline
take precedent over those few 1994 manuals that have not been updated.  

   Customers or dealers having a problem can contact the Customer Assistance
Center to obtain help or a copy of the installation guidelines.