More Dic Talk.

Eagle-1 · May 14, 2010

Ok guys,

So far ya'll have been a VERY bad influence on me. Reading through the threads, I see several have added DIC panels and switches and it seems to be a very easy and worthwhile addition.

Now, I have the parts ordered, but I think I ordered too much if I'm willing to do a slight modification to my existing panel and I haven't seen this posted yet so I need to ask.

Here's what I have now. I have ordered the panel and switch. I just went and pulled the panel and it came right off, just like y'all said. It appears to me that the socket for plugging the DIC switch into is ALREADY in my old panel??? Could I not just carefully make the cutout and add just the switch?

Just doing that will cost $17.00 and the switch AND panel are costing me 70.00.

Eagle-1 · May 14, 2010

Here's more.

Eagle-1 · May 14, 2010

Also, I'm assuming that the wire just beneath that slot for the DIC is the wire FOR the DIC? Right now, it's plugged into nothing but a holder.

GPGuy · May 14, 2010

Easiest and best mod you can possibly do. Took me all of 10 minutes to complete.

P71_CrownVic · May 14, 2010

Changing my She truck into a He by adding a DIC.

Win.

Eagle-1 · May 14, 2010

Yes sir, I understand it's a worthwhile thing to do and y'all have got me chomping at the bit to do it,

BUT,

I know most everyone orders both the panel and the switch and just swaps out the old NON-DIC panel for the new one with the DIC switch already installed.

My existing panel (I don't know if this is usually the case??) already has, what appears to be anyway, a slot for the DIC switch to mount to except there is no slot cut into the panel.

I was wondering if I couldn't just order the switch and make my OWN slot? No need to order the complete panel if I only need the switch, right? The switch is $17.00 and the panel is $44.00.

GPGuy · May 14, 2010

If you're handy with a dremel I don't see why not.

Eagle-1 · May 14, 2010

Dremel? What's that?

I do have a 7 1/2" side grinder and a fairly steady hand. Should have a slot in that panel fairly quick. 3 tries, MAX!

LOL!

Just kiddin' of course. My main most 'hobby' is Studio Scale Model building, so I'm pretty sure I should be able to hack me out an appropriate slot you won't be able to tell isn't original. I was really making sure everything was already there that I would need if I DIDN'T buy the complete panel and I'm almost certain it is except for the needed slot. Now that I've said all that and cancelled the panel from my order.....

Y'all just KNOW what's gonna happen just as soon as I touch my dremel to my original panel.

Just watch.

I will post some more pictures along the way just in case anyone else also has the panel with the clamps and wants to try their hand at making a slot also.

More to come!

mato27 · May 14, 2010

Dremel? What's that?

I do have a 7 1/2" side grinder and a fairly steady hand. Should have a slot in that panel fairly quick. 3 tries, MAX!

Man, you have been cracking me up in the short time you have been here.....

For a second there, I thought you were serious

BigBlueLB756 · May 14, 2010

Eagle, that's exactly what I did to my stock panel because I'm Cheap-*ss. Just take your time and cut the hole to fit the switch and everything will be golden. That small plug is the one you want; as you can see, it goes to nothing now.

Buy the switch for $17 plus shipping, and then tell everybody you paid $75-$100 for the ten-minute panel.

Oh, by the way; the switch just to the left of the steering column is for the cargo light mod.

Eagle-1 · May 14, 2010

Dremel? What's that?

I do have a 7 1/2" side grinder and a fairly steady hand. Should have a slot in that panel fairly quick. 3 tries, MAX!

Man, you have been cracking me up in the short time you have been here.....

For a second there, I thought you were serious

Ok, you're suggesting I NOT use my side grinder? What exactly am I suppose to use then?????

(I do try to make my posts worth reading if I can mato. I sure hope y'all don't mind, I don't have very many serious bones in my whole body.....well, maybe one, and I'm not a physician (I just play one on TV), so I'm not even sure it's a bone?)

BigBlue, that's EXACTLY what I was asking! I do worship at the same Cheap-ass alter that you do, but when it comes to this kinda thing, I won't mind spending the bucks.....IF I have to.

One slip with my 7 1/2" side grinder......and I'll have to!

I don't think I'll have to though 'cause I do believe I can chop that slot out.

Metro12 · May 14, 2010

I know its a $50 difference, but I didn't screw around, and just ordered the whole piece. I consider myself pretty handy, but wasn't willing to mess up a panel, and end up spending the $70 anyway, after already spending $17 for just the switch! Just order the whole panel, and you have no worries.

BigBlueLB756 · May 14, 2010

Spending the bucks is not the problem; it's making sure you get the most stuff for those bucks. $100 is a lot of Cheap-*ss mods!!!!

Eagle-1 · May 14, 2010

Oh, I ain't scared at all, just a little afraid.

Besides that, I have a couple reasons for trying to modify my panel first. The biggest reason is, it's my original panel and I've kinda grown attached to it. We have this thing. If it were ANY other piece on my truck I wouldn't care, but NOT since it's that panel.

If I can make the slot, I can keep my original panel and just like BigBlue said, it has been done. By God, if he did it, it can be done and I feel much better about it now! It's also true that I'll have more leftover to spend! If I DO happen to screw it up, I just won't tell y'all, buy the new panel (for $40.00, so it won't be the $70.00 total anyway), mount it in the truck and TELL y'all it all worked out just fine!

Yes, I know that would be kinda dirty to do, but it's all I got!