Aux. Switches Or Lack There Of...

Combat_Vet · April 15, 2010

For a Heavy Duty, no factory options for auxiliary switches to run optional equipment? Even the Ford Super Duty has 4 Upfitter switches for options. I wanted a switch for a dedicated cargo light (so hard to see in the bed from inside with the dome light one) and at least another one for a spare.

Well, I searched and searched and did not come up with any factory options, so I created my own. First off, I wanted an OEM appearance and did not want to jack up my interior with some hokey toggle switches that clearly looked aftermarket or out of place.

I wanted to use some amber LED switches, but only could find one vendor who had other colors than red; but they wanted $10+ per switch (clearly, they are out of their minds).

I haven't begun wiring the switches yet as I'm not 100% sure of what I want to do with the second switch and only want to have to pull the interior panels apart once.

So, after an investment of $8.00 and a little time, here are a few pics of what I came up with today.

Please, feel free to share your pics of toggle/aux switch installs.

Diesail · April 15, 2010

Great location. I have looked at my dash over and over wondering were to mount a switch and I have to say I never looked up. Hope you don't mind if I steal your idea when the time comes.

khancock · April 15, 2010

Great location. I have looked at my dash over and over wondering were to mount a switch and I have to say I never looked up. Hope you don't mind if I steal your idea when the time comes.

Thats a great idea! I've been looking for months how to setup some aux switches and ended up using the same exact switches, but in blue. Summit racing has them on ebay, I think I paid about $15 shipped for two.

This weekend I ended up getting some abs plastic and fabing a plate to go in the center console (I have an all terrain with the Center Console) which I'm using as a switch panel. I'll have to snap some pics tomorrow.

Combat_Vet · April 15, 2010

If you happen to run into the same exact switches with Amber or Yellow LED's, please let me know. Thanks!

khancock · April 15, 2010

If you happen to run into the same exact switches with Amber or Yellow LED's, please let me know. Thanks!

Looks like they are only available in Red, Green, Blue

http://www.pilotautomotive.com/Product.asp...2&PCID=1068

Combat_Vet · April 15, 2010

I found the exact switches (dimensionally) to the ones I used, but these are better. They have recessed LED's, which have an opacity when off and diffused color when on, much more like the LED's in the Silverado and GMC GMT900's. They have an ovalish shape to the LED window and not just some cheap round LED sticking out of them like what I installed.

I found all the colors, which are RED, BLUE, GREEN and YELLOW. I plan on using yellow as that is what color all the factory LED's are.

I plan on ordering multiple of each color from the vendor as there is a minimum purchase of each color, which is 10. Price is $5.00 per switch (red, green, yellow) and $7.50 for blue plus a little for shipping if you want some. Let me know the color and I'll do a "group buy" on the switches.

Combat_Vet · April 16, 2010

I guess there is no interest. I ordered (5) Red, (5) Yellow, (5) Green and (5) blue in case I want to do more switches somewhere else at least I'll have matching switches.

khancock · April 25, 2010

I though I would add my solution to the lack of Aux switches to the thread. I ordered some ABS Plastic and cut it to fit the center console. I'm not sure what the original intent of this area was from GM but it was just collecting junk so I'm happy to have put it to good use. It also keeps the interior clean and hides the switches but at the same time keeps them within easy reach which I really like.