Illuminated 4x4 switch for about $10!!!

I was sitting at home today a little board and decided to figure out how to illuminate my 4x4 switch...







I started of by taking everything apart to get a better understanding how it all works. After taking a good look at it, it seems like the switch was designed to be illuminated in the first place. It has mounting locations, electrical built all into the switch and even the harness with empty pins for the electrical... WTF??? Did Toyota figure out that it would save them $5 per truck and decided that people don't use 4x4 at night???

I just want to start off by saying that i do not think that the everyday person could do this mod, and i am not responsible for any damaged that you may do to your truck. I will however answer any questions you have to help out where i can.

What you need:
6x 3mm LED's (3 for the #'s and 3 for the arrow). about $1 each
2x 150 ohm resistors about $1
Prepunched circuit board. about $3.50
Wire wrap tool. already had...
Insulated wrapping wire. already had...
Soldering iron. already had...
Solder. already had...
Sharpy. already had...
Thin wire (#18-#26) already had...
2 1/8" hole saw. already had...
Panel removing tool. already had...
Small flat head screw driver. already had...
Super glue. already had...
Unibit. already had...
some kind of saw. already had...

I think that is all i used... some tools can be improvised or substituted.

I first started off by using the back of the switch to trace my template on paper.



Trimmed the template, notched it and marked general locations for LED's then transferred it to a more ridged medium. (used my unused beer card from Old Chicago, could use an old gift card)



Test fit the new template in switch, reassemble switch to make sure everything moves freely and works.



I then measured the template and it turns out it is 2", so i used a 2 1/8 hole saw (2" inner diameter) to cut board out.



Use Unibit to drill hole in center of board to match template.



Cut board in about half to match template.



Test fit board in switch housing, trim/sand where needed and mark locations for LED's with sharpy.



Here is a simple series circuit for one of the two LED's/resistor set up where R1 is a 150 ohm 1/8 watt resistor. Then just parallel the +'s, and -'s. FYI this is based on a 14.4v supply voltage, 4v max/20 milliamps LED's, different color LED's may use different voltage or draw different amperage.
Also the circuit's total current consumption is only about 32mA... so no you do not need to put in a larger fuse, but i do suggest that you fuse the 4x4 switch individually if you are not 100% confident in your work.



Drop in LED's in marked locations, and wire wrap.





Wire wrap 3 LED's in series with resistor for both #'s and arrow.





Here's the layout of the LED's and resistors...



Test fit board in switch housing and re-assemble switch to test for clearance and function of switch, trim where needed.



Super glue board in switch... dont use too much, just a drop in 3-4 locations will do it... would not want you to turn your truck into a pre-runner by gluing your switch in place!

Then feed your wires threw the backing of the switch.



Secure back plate.



Remove H&AC control cluster and locate the green (+) and green/white (-) wires, test wires to make sure. These wires are controlled by the headlight switch and dimmer... You can go to any 12 volt source but the switch will be illuminated all the time. Ohh yea... i am suppose to tell you to disconnect the battery to avoid damage to electrical system... yea right... it is a switched source... just turn the key to the off position.





Feed switch wires into the H&AC area threw dash.



Strip, twist, solder, tape and zip tie...





Test switch... don't forget to turn on your headlights...



Reassemble, and enjoy!!!

 

Nice job. Good write-up & pics. Maybe I'll do it someday. +1

 

That is some good work

 

Nice write up!

 

Also, i can do the gauge cluster led's and stock stereo color if anyone would be interested in any of them... could ship any or all back and forth.

 

Nice!

Yours seems a little more complicated as compared to this guys. Not sure if you've seen his F/S page but his is a bit more $$ but seems more simple

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/rcbs204/68173-rcbs204-4x4-illuminated-switch.html

EDIT

Great job on yours though..I wouldn't think twice about doing what you did to your truck to mine. I'd be afraid of messing shit up. Even with the other guy, I'm still afraid of messing stuff up which is why I haven't/didn't order one.

 

Ohh yes, i have seen his... it is a bit pricey, but i do have to give him credit. He really took the time to lay it all out in some kind of drafting program and probably out sourced to have it made. It really is a plug and play setup. But i had most of the supplies already, and i was board.

 

Great work!

I love seeing real ingenuity and courage get the job done. DIY's are the best!

 

Thanxs, I wish I would have done it months ago when I thought about it.

 

Too complicated for me. But I really, really admire your work. What a shame Toyota did not make this factory standard, but then bored guys like you wouldn't have anything to do.

 

Awesome job and looking forward to your next "Board" project.

Easy to follow, nice pics.

 

Any time... I have most of the hard work done. We can do it the same day as your push button start...

 

Nice write up Scott. I might have to have you do mine too.

 

Good job, looks nice and clean.

 

Looks good! Now figure it out for us 2012 guys

 

You could probably make a few of them boards and sell them for like 9.99 - $14.99... i'd buy it

Very nice write up. Send me one for free and i'll tell you if it works on a 2012

 

I think that i will find a 2012 around here some place and take a look at there switch... i have not even seen the inside of one, yet.

 

Much brighter than the lighting I have...may try to use two LED's as well.

 

I've already got some 5mm wide-angle LEDs in orange to match my factory dash color from another project so I would rather just use the leftovers from that. Do you think there's enough clearance for 5mm LEDs?

 

It would be super close, you would have to be dead on with placement of the outer LED's and you are a bit limited with a pre-punched board ... you probably could with the inner ones. I think that instead of a pre-punched board you could just use a thin plastic and drill holes for the LED's precisely where you want them... That is the rout i was taking first with an old gift card because it is super thin, very strong, and easy to cut to shape but i thought the punched board looked better and made it easyer to wire wrap... maybe the next one i do i will use the gift card... thinking about it, i like the idea more and more. Would be cheaper, thinner, more flexible, but would have to see if super glue would take to a gift card.