Wired my Off-Road Lights to the AUX Lamps Switch

[chevy4x4trucks]

After getting the switch about three weeks ago I finally installed it.  The install took about 5 hours start to finish (mostly because of a few problems)  The install was made easier w/ the help of Bob Prim and Jpendlum.  The diagram shows the electrical center under the dash and how to hook up the wires to the lights and switch.  The only problem I found on the diagram was that the switch hook up points are actually mirrored to how they are shown on the diagram (it provided many headaches trying to figure out what we did wrong).  We ran 5 wires up under the dash, I took out the temp controls and stereo to make it easier to run the wires.  The lights now only work when the truck is running and the headlights are on, which is a plus.  Also, I hooked up my CB to the power supply underneath the dash (Area Labeled "C4")

15722980   Part Number for the switch.

 

 

I'll get some more detailed pics of the install when I get a digital Camera available to me.  Also, I'll have full install info on my site.  The switch gives the truck has a very clean stock appearance w/ the button and I don't have any of my wires running off of the battery anymore.  Any questions don't hesitate to ask.

[RyanbabZ71]

what kinda lights?  Can you see the wires going from the lights to under the hood at all?

[chevy4x4trucks]

They are from northerntool.com just 100watt off-road lights.  10 bucks a piece.  They are bright.  I don't see a point in spending 100 on KC's when these things are 10 bucks and it's like daylight.  They are the one's that are on the brush bar.  I've got the wires run underneath the grille and the grounds going to the back supports of the brushbar.  The live wires go in front of the radiator and come out in the engine compartment at the bottom driver's side of the grille.  I've got them in a red wire loom and the they go alongside the electrical center to the rear of the underhood compartment.  The relay is bolted onto the grounding bolt where the underhood light runs past.  Then, just two wires go into the cab.  One is the power (technically comes out of the cab to the relay) and the other is the one that actually contols the lights.  I've got the wires all covered in a red wire loom and I'm in the process of removing other black wire looms and replacing them w/ red ones.  So far I've replaced the wire looms going to the underhood light.  Next I want to move the relay underneath the dash or sort of hide it more.  The light switch itself looks like the cargo lamp button but says "Auxilary Lamps" and it fits into one of the openings by the Air Bag Switch.  It works just like any other button in the truck and the switch lights up when you have the headlights on.

 

This pic shows the lights decently

 

 

Just a few side notes on the install:  

The relay is required because of the high wattage of the lights

This does require some knowledge of electronics and it's best if you have smaller hands (unlike me) for running the wires.

The lights I'm using are not street legal, and if you wonder why, I'll drive behind you at night and turn them on.

[chevy4x4trucks]

Stole the pic from JPendlum's site, but mines the same thing.

 

[Kansas Kid]

Just should have gotten your truck with the snow plow prep

package and then that switch would have already been there

for ya.   ;)

[chevy4x4trucks]

Quote from Kansas Kid, posted on Nov. 05 2001,1:11

Just should have gotten your truck with the snow plow prep

package and then that switch would have already been there

for ya.   ;)

 

But then what would be the fun in that???

[Kansas Kid]

For me the fun would be not having to mess with a whole

bunch of wiring.  LOL  I always said there was a reason I went

into mechanical engineering instead of electrical engineering.  I'm

not actually all that bad at wiring, just isn't something I like to

do.  Seems like if something can get hooked up wrong, it always

happens to me.  

 

Although from looking at the schematic, I could handle that one

easily.  That diagram is actually half way clear on where to run

the wires.

[chevy4x4trucks]

I'm into mechanical engineering also, but working on trucks is sorta a hobby of mine.  I'm teaching myself how to do wiring, painting, upholstery, etc...  The silverado is a good truck to work on, because everything is so simple and all of the interior trim pieces, for the most part, just snap off.

[RyanbabZ71]

Jon

 

How far along are you in your ME program?  How much more do you have?

 

Im in my 7th semester (woah).  After this semester ill have a yr and a half to go.  5 yr plan basically thats what everyone here is on.  Prerequisites suck especially since i didnt have calc in hs that set me back a little.

[chevy4x4trucks]

I'm at a two year college and halfway done, (cheaper than the 4 year and the credits transfer) I've been going part time and have all the liberal arts classes finished.  I'm not sure if I want to go mechanical engineering (original intention) or to go w/ architectual or electrical.  All three of them intrigue me.  I guess since they are just a few courses off, I could get an associates degree in all three.  But, I'll have to see, right now getting the degree won't get me any further than I am now at work.

[RyanbabZ71]

I hate EE.  Only other thing i would like is construction engineering

 

Im pretty far along.  only 13 classes (2 electives) after this semester.  Plus 4 for my business mgmt minor.

 

I know ill get bored sitting at a desk and probably wont even be an ME after college

 

So far whats your hardest class you have had?

[chevy4x4trucks]

I'd have to say statics, it's a pain trying to do all those complex equations.  Well not the equations so much, but setting them up, if you mess up there, the rest of the problem is off.  Other than that the rest have been all no brainers like math and english, so no big problems there.  Right now I'm in an arc welding class, only class this semester.  Reason for it is because the rest of the classes I had to take are at all weird times that don't work well w/ my work schedule.  After taking some of the ME classes, I'm not too sure if that's what I want to do, I like to draw, and doing the math isn't fun, and it doesn't really look like anything that I'd want to commit to for the rest of my life.  I've never been really big into going to school.  I've always recieved A's and B's in high school and graduated top 10%, but I guess, college doesn't interest me enough.  I like working more than I like sitting in a class room.

[RyanbabZ71]

i HEAR YA THERE.   I got all a's and b's in high school never studied a drop either.  Graduated 18/172.  Could have done better but bball was my life.  

 

Now college sucks.  To much theory.  My kinematics class sucked in the beginning but now that we are on cams and gears i am all fired up.  I understand it and its easy.  

 

The more and more classes i take the more and more i wanna do something else like be a cop,firefighter, construction you know more hands on.  Im gonna get my degree then go from there.

[chevy4x4trucks]

That's the way I feel about it.  I don't mind sitting behind a desk all day because it gives me time to check out the forums and when I get home from work and on the weekends I usually spend it working on my truck.  What I'd like to do is get a job designing aftermarket products, or customizing trucks.  Something that brings togethor drawing, designing, and trucks.  But since I don't live in Calif. there isn't much of a need for that.

[RyanbabZ71]

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.  Like a westin or go rhino business.