Switch Panel Ideas

Wasn't there a guy who replaced his console cupholders with a custom made panel out of an FJ Cruiser loaded with switches?

Marc M

 

yup, it was me.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279439

i now have two fog light switches in there and the rest is filled with blanks. should be replacing the blanks with switches in the near future.

 

Some of you watched a bit too much Knight Rider when you were younger

 

GD you....now everytime i look up at my OHC i laugh.

 

Has anyone put switches in the grey panel right below the heater above the power/cigar lighter panel?

 

Where did you get the stuff to do the switches in the sunglass holder and how hard was it?

 

Has anyone found and A pillar switches for 2013 tacoma

 

Ive never seen any, looked pretty hard before. I almost modified some that were for jeeps but... id hate to cut that pillar for something that might not work lol.

 

I know this is an OLD post, but I am definitely stealing this idea. I love the factory look.

 

I made that mod on my 05 and have planned to do it on my 2012, but haven't gotten around to it. My suggestion, raise the switch panel up. The OEM switches are pretty long, especially with the plug. I ran into clearance issues. I plan on having something made on a 3D printer to raise the panel next go around.

 

This is an old thread but.... U mind if I ask how this went for you? I'm looking to build my own switch panel as well. Not sure how to get something flush in that center console

 

Unfortunately it looks like he hasn’t been on for quite a while. However I can render assistance if you are interested!



I made mine out of .118” ABS plastic, you could even go a little thicker or stick with the original idea of a metal plate. It’s cut to almost a rectangle but there is a very slight trapezoid shape. Top was something like 8-1/2” wide and bottom 8-3/8” wide. The entire piece was maybe a hair over 3-1/2” tall.

$18 ABS Sheet - .118" Thick, Black, 24" x 24" Nominal

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051WTQUC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rjaDDbJT26ZWD
(You definitely don’t need a 2’x2’, I use it for other projects)



Then it’s as simple as deciding how you want to place your switches. You could always cut the switch holes individually but I don’t recommend it unless you have a machine that can cut it for you. I cut one large hole and used a switch holder insert.

$10 AutoEC Rocker Switch Panel Switch Holder Housing Kit - Black Plastic

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011KIYT70/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uraDDbKBGWS5P

The black edge is just some door edge trim to hold it slightly snug, so far it has worked great.



Add switches purchased from just about anywhere and wire it up!

 

Thank you sooooo much man that helped a lot! When it comes to that sheet being put inside the slot, how do u keep it flush and not popping out the opposite side of the button u just pressed. I would imagine the wires on the back side would keep it level but only to an extent. I'm thinking maybe putting a very slim plastic or rubber piece on 1 side of the black sheet used for prying off in case I need to take it off. I would prefer it to be very stable in that slot.

 

It ends up being snug enough, especially with the rubber edge trim, that it doesn’t budge at all. The entire compartment is kind of inside pyramid shape so by just pushing the switches just locks it in tighter. There is a bit of a lip it also rests on 3 sides.

 

Ahh okay. So u got the. 118 sheet, that looks like a good size in thickness. If I go thicker, it would be harder to trim the edges right? Also what did u use to trim? Just a knife? Sorry for all the questions lmao

 

It’s all good, happy to answer! The .118 does flex a little so if I we’re to do it again I would probably look for something ever so slightly thicker, but I also wouldn’t have a problem doing it again in the same thickness.

ABS is very tough stuff so I would recommend some sort of saw or dremel. I used a small jigsaw that I had laying around. If you use a power tool you will probably have to clean up the edges a bunch as they cause a lot of heat and leave melted plastic all over. If you took the time and didn’t want to use a power tool you could always use a fine tooth hand saw. I definitely would not try this thickness with a knife but I really don’t know all that much about ABS, you might be able to score it and break it for all I know.

Then to clean it up just use some regular sandpaper, doing it by hand is quick and easy. You could use a knife for this part as well.

 

Very interesting... Never woulda thought ABS would save me time and money. Thanks again for all your help brotha I appreciate it. I'll be sure to send some pics your way when I knock it out. Or when I fuck it up on accident and need help, either or.

 

Hey Mr Crash do u mind sending me the link to the door edge trim u used? If u still remember where u got it from