Does anyone have a photo that shows a nice, clean install of axillary switches in our trucks? Sure, there are tons of places that we can just drill holes, but I'd like to spend a bit of effort and go for the OEM look. Any words of wisdom? Yea, I'm searching...

 

Go to the member photos section and search the word "switch". Many pics come up.

 

I'm searching there but still not finding anything with an OEM look to it.

 

The problem is there aren't any simple ON/OFF OEM switches used on our trucks from the factory that would allow us to us a factory switch to control something else.
They are usually intermitant, i.e. resistance, type switches ran to complex relays tied into the PCM. Such as the heated seat switches on the righthand dash of some trucks. Those switches are a simple push-ON push-OFF when you look at them, but are extremely complex in the connections into other controlling modules elsewhere in the system that actually make them turn something on. Its not just a relay.
Somewhere out there in the endless world of black plastic switches has to be something that looks close enough.

 

I put a cigarette lighter outlet up on my overhead console between the two reading lights so I would have a place to plug my phone charger in. it's not a switch, but it looks stock and it wouldn't be hard at all to put a switch there...
I can take a pic if you want?

 

I don't know how he did it, but member gnx478 has a pic in there of using one of those heated seat switches to power the power sliding window on the 3rd gen. I guess it has to do with the switch being pushed constantly until the window gets where you want it, then the other side of the switch reversing the window, just like a regular window switch. It still probably doesn't us that type of switch as a ON/OFF switch. But I'm exceeding my switch smarts already.

 

Here's what I did. Not OEM though.


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Perhaps I need to clarify myself without hurting anyones feelings...I'm looking for OEMish, not RadioShackish. I like the overhead approach, BTW.

 

gator i cant remember in what thread i saw it in, but the closest thing to an OEM setup that ive seen was a guy who got 2-3 just plain small rocker switches and installed them in the overhead console. as i recall they were mounted sideways and into the very beginning of the console right there before you hit the sunglasses holder. ill dig around and see if i cant find it.

 

I saw that photo, too, and it appears to be the leading idea at this time. Thanks.

 

Bottom side of the dash bezel:

 

Interesting. Where did the switches come from?

 

still not oem, but here's mine

 

I really like that idea.

 

Radio Shack... They're not the only ones who sell 'em, though. I used 'em because the bezel is square but the body is round; just drill a hole and slide it through.