Is it possible to add shift paddles to the GT?

[SunnyDay]

Hi,

I have an automatic 86 GT (not GTS) that came with no shift paddles. Is it possible to add them to the steering wheel? Does anyone know if the wiring is in the steering wheel and ready to be connected the paddles?

Any insights more than welcome!

Thanks

[Captain Snooze]

Given that this forum is U.S. centric and the gt86 isn't available there I would suggest calling Toyota Australia and asking them though I do not like the chances of anyone there knowing the answer to your question.

[SUB-FT86]

Why would a sports car after 2013 come without the paddles? Toyota/Suabru is so wrong for that. That would've been a deal breaker for me as I prefer paddles over the console stick. I feel more focus with the paddles.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Toyota/Suabru is so wrong for that.

It is not "wrong"; it is marketing. There is about a $6000 difference between the two models here. It allows Toyota to upsell the GTS having more features. "Yes sir, the GTS also has paddle-shift which the base model doesn't have." If the paddles are a deal breaker but you still want the car then you fork over the extra cash.

[evomike]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Why would a sports car after 2013 come without the paddles? Toyota/Suabru is so wrong for that. That would've been a deal breaker for me as I prefer paddles over the console stick. I feel more focus with the paddles.

honestly anything with a torque converter and paddles is pointless to me

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by evomike

honestly anything with a torque converter and paddles is pointless to me

Thanks for sharing but it doesn't help op.

[KoolBRZ]

I'd be willing to bet they plug right in. You might need to use techstream to make them functional. You'd probably need the other steering column housing as well.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

It is not "wrong"; it is marketing. There is about a $6000 difference between the two models here. It allows Toyota to upsell the GTS having more features. "Yes sir, the GTS also has paddle-shift which the base model doesn't have." If the paddles are a deal breaker but you still want the car then you fork over the extra cash.

If our cars were a typical GT sedan/coupe I could understand that fully. Like paddles are optional with the S package on a Q50 sedan for instance. But it's not a sports car so it's no big deal. The FRS is a ground up sports car.

[KoolBRZ]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

If our cars were a typical GT sedan/coupe I could understand that fully. Like paddles are optional with the S package on a Q50 sedan for instance. But it's not a sports car so it's no big deal. The FRS is a ground up sports car.

It's RWD, so either it's a sportscar, or a pickup. Now FWD cars aren't real sportscars, because they can't drift.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by KoolBRZ

It's RWD, so either it's a sportscar, or a pickup. Now FWD cars aren't real sportscars, because they can't drift.

Wow! I am glad to know I drove nothing but sports cars for 30 years.
Police may be surprised that they drive them though.

Yet another oversimplification brought to you by KoolBRZ.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by KoolBRZ

It's RWD, so either it's a sportscar, or a pickup. Now FWD cars aren't real sportscars, because they can't drift.

Oh and...

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by SunnyDay

Hi,

I have an automatic 86 GT (not GTS) that came with no shift paddles. Is it possible to add them to the steering wheel? Does anyone know if the wiring is in the steering wheel and ready to be connected the paddles?

Any insights more than welcome!

Thanks

So back on topic.
I could not find any info that says it is or isn't possible but strongly doubt even if possible would cost a pile of cash. To buy the parts and retrofit everything would certainly not be a cheap proposition. You would also need to be able to flash the ECU and tranny module (TCU?) to be able to control the shifts.

[SteveIsBored]

You would probably need the steering wheel, the body wire harness, and the trans module to make it work, as long as the two transmissions are the same

[KoolBRZ]

Just get an entire steering wheel and column from a wrecking yard, a cheap ebay cable with a (cracked) copy of techstream, and install, connect up with the techstream cable, find where it's at and check the box for shift paddles "yes".