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After many a day spent browsing the forums and following some of your guys' builds I've finally decided to start a thread of my own. So...here's the deal.
Last week I pulled the captain seats and consoles out of a 2000 Expy and got them fitted in my 2000 Lariat. When I went through the checkout at the junkyard, I had to rip out the AC controls that were installed in the console to avoid paying the ridiculous $30 per control (console was only $15, they wanted $30 per control). Now I'm left with these nice holes in the front and back of the console, which is when I came up with a brilliant (or so I think) idea.
Has anyone installed 12v auxiliary switches based off of a 12v splitter switch? Something similar to what the Raptors have, but for broke people such as I who cannot afford a Raptor.
I ordered a 12" x 12" piece of plain dash kit plastic, and will soon be ordering the switches for this build, but I would like to know if anyone has done anything similar.
I just installed a console from an Expy yesterday. The back panel is easy to replace. The front one, I questioning where it is. Mine came from a 2000 EB, and is the the full console. It has the plug under the unit for the radio, AC controls, but nothing in the frontal area. Can you post some pictures of yours and where you are trying to add your switches?
I saw that once in a Mountaineer/Aviator, one of those. I don't think I've ever seen that in an Expy. Anyway you look at it, the 4 screws that hold this in, can easily be replaced with a flat panel and switches added with no problem.
Mine has the two cups by the box, and a big open area to the dash then closed off. You could easily change that part with another out of another Expy, or Lightning console. Same side panels and same box, just different tray insert.
Just did some checking on this, and 97 used this set up. 98 went to the ceiling controls. Must be why most of us haven't seen it before, it was a one year set up. 2003 also shows a similar set up to 2006. Bottom picture is the most commonly used insert panel.
Nice, okay so now we know what were dealing with. OP I would get a piece of ABS plastic, drill your holes for switches, then run relays for your equipment.
For your relay, you would have 1 (constant) 12v wire directly from battery OR (ignition-ON) source to relay, 1 wire going to your accessories, 1 wire going to your switch, and 1 wire going to ground. If your accessory has a ground, that will need to be grounded to a good location, such as bare metal.
07-29-2016, 12:05 AM
12v Toggle Switch Build?
