JeepcoMJ Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 So...I need more switches in my xj. Trying to come up with a new switch location, I was befuddled. I want 3 more factory rocker switches...and had been thinking of utilizing the garage door opener location in my overhead console. Once in there, I realized that it was nowhere deep enough to fit the switches....you could get the switches in that area and have them be level, but it wasn't deep enough to add connectors, too. I could hack out the backing of the OHC, hog another hole in the headliner behind it, and do that...but then I still have to run a ton of wires. Just not my cup of tea. Looking on ebay, I came across this... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-Upper-Dash-Switch-Panel-Only-Free-Slappy-Pad-/130778310085?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AWrangler&hash=item1e72fea5c5&vxp=mtr and thought "neat...don't like aftermarket switches, but neat" so...I decided to try something. I don't have process pics, and it's not quite done, and I'm not entirely sold on the idea... I may keep this idea, I may find somewhere else. who knows? started with a factory 3 switch bezel that had a bad lighter outlet, and a crack in the mount...combine that with a factory vent, and "presto" I did that using a plastic welder, a metal file, and a scuff pad. It's not done. I will have to either weld in more plastic on a few low spots and resand, or just use some body filler, sand it smooth, then vinyl dye it charcoal. the area the plugs are in is very accessible, you can run wires in without pinching them and without cutting up the vent in case you want to go back to stock. It doesn't look stock, but doesn't look horrible IMHO. I will obviously be buying different switches for it... a simple backlit "ON" switch, one more replacement "fog" switch, and a "RL" switch for the beefy in-bumper reverse lights I will be installing for plowing purposes. The point is factory looking switches to do 3 things: turn on the slik stick plow control, flip the headlights from factory function to upper lights, and transfer reverse light functioni from the factory tails to the fogs that will be in the back. This is the supplier I will be using. I'm running one of his fog light switches now, they are considerably beefier internally than stock, which gets rid of the issue of frying out switches all the time. He has many variances available. http://www.ebay.com/itm/300814002573?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Neat ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Check out this seller on Ebay HERE. He makes some nice custom switch panels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 Much appreciated Don, but I want nothing to do with aftermarket switches, or metal panels, or any of the locations he puts things in...I like my ash tray, it holds my business cards, cd player remote, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I can understand that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Remove the windshield. replace it with a metal panel. This should give you all the mounting space you will ever need to mount switches, gauges or anything else you might want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 This is a nice option too: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hornbrod pointed me to a set of those straight from the UK. I just couldn't afford to do the $100 Jeepsrus new one... I'm too cheap. The one Don had found for me even came with all the switches, including the headlight leveling switch. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Sam. What's that out of? Looks like a WJ something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Jim, it's out of an XJ. Either a domestic XJ in police trim with fogs would have it, or a euro spec XJ with headlight leveling function. Both need the 4th slot for the extra switch. Fogs Rear Defrost Rear Wiper And either: Ext Idle (Up idle switch for US police spec Cherokee's) Headlight Leveling (Euro spec option) Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Hornbrod pointed me to a set of those straight from the UK. I just couldn't afford to do the $100 Jeepsrus new one... I'm too cheap. The one Don had found for me even came with all the switches, including the headlight leveling switch. Rob Damn. That looks familiar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 I need more than one extra switch, and can't find a 4 switch panel anywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Damn. That looks familiar. The nice thing about that is you get two different fog light switches, the euro XJ rear fogs have a similar, but different switch so you can tell them apart. I'm going to be using he same thing in my MJ, but without a rear wiper I will have one extra switch, and if I don't have heated mirrors(which I would like) I will have 2 extra's...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexia Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Someone point me to where one could find a set of the four switch panel? I am having trouble finding a good, but not expensive source. I saw one on eBay, once. I want one with four switches since Air On Board makes nice factory style switches to pop in there. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rocker-switch-330-12-volt-Front-diff-locker-OFF-Jeep-Wrangler-1997-2006-/261127846281?hash=item3ccc6eb989&item=261127846281&pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Someone on another forum had just put one in, and I asked him where he picked it up. He had got his from jeepsareus, but had to pay the $100 for it. I had looked on eBay to no avail... I tried all sorts of searches and keywords too. I sent Don a message since he's pretty good at helping find the weird items. He turned one up on eBay I had missed, and found the jeepsareus one also. Even was able to tell me the PN for the dealer part. I paid a bit more than I wanted for the one on eBay, but it was still less than the $100, and it came with the switches in the pic. When I get home, I can send you the seller info for the one Don found for me. They seem to be a dismantler in the UK. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 there is a breaker in the Uk that I buy my parts from. probably the same one that automan is going to tell you about. We will see if he comes through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Sorry, borrowed a truck, picked up a new door for the house yesterday, I forgot to hop on here and do this. The store for the seller of the one Don found for me was this: http://www.ebay.com/...=&_trksid=p3686 Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Sorry, borrowed a truck, picked up a new door for the house yesterday, I forgot to hop on here and do this. The store for the seller of the one Don found for me was this: http://www.ebay.com/...=&_trksid=p3686 Rob Yup thats the guy, his name is colin, he is good to deal with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 First time dealing with him, but it was very pain free and smooth. Hardest part was converting pounds to dollars so I knew what I was spending... And remembering to hit the pounds button on the paypal. Good guy. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 https://fbcdn-photos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/483409_10100224792301913_970157706_n.jpg https://fbcdn-photos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/429445_10100224791867783_870006646_n.jpg Phone won't let me tag them proper, so clicky clicky about 25 min of work, just needs to be smoothed out and painted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Phone won't let me tag them proper, so clicky clicky about 25 min of work, just needs to be smoothed out and painted Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Looks pretty good - please post pics when completed. You have given me an idea........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 Thanks, I will. I could do 2 to 3 more too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted December 1, 2012 Author Share Posted December 1, 2012 And that idea would be? Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 For a dash electric fuel pressure gauge I've had forever and never mounted. Plastic surgery like you have done has given me an idea w/o doing the Autometer A-pillar dual gauge pod. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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