Switches in headliner

Has anybody installed any switches in the headliner? haven't pulled the lights to see how much room is up there but there might be enough room.

any pics?

 

Headliner? Not sure. If you're talking about the sunglass holder console, then yes, there are guys that do that all the time. While there is a little wiggle room behind the headliner, there might not be enough to fit switches there. With the back of the housing and then the wiring you might need about 1.5" to fit everything. Maybe if you didn't recess them and built some kind of standoff?

 

Your project got me wondering so I did some searching. Check out what this guy did on his dodge.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/8...s-project-overhead-switch-pod-under-30-a.html

 

i dont have a sunglasses holder. first gen just has a little bump there.

 

Ah! Sorry, missed that. Carry on.

 

I remember seeing a build thread where someone installed a CB speaker in the overhead. You'd probably want to drop the headliner down to see how much space you've got. In some spots there's probably room but in others you'll run into roof reinforcements. The other option would be to build a small console. You could do something like below, except only the forward part, and add switches:





It was attached up forward with two screws to the rear view mirror mount. The back end used the stock screw holes for the dome light. Worked great til some d'bag broke into my truck and destroyed it stealing the radio.

 

Is that something you made yourself?

 

Yeah. I used 1/8" hobby plywood with fiberglass reinforcement on the inside seams. It held the HAM radio body and head unit along with the speakers and scangauge. I eventually mounted the dual battery controller to the side. I had plans for finishing it more but had a lot of other projects on the table. Then the truck got broken into and I just haven't had the time to make another.

I started off making the template pieces with cardboard, then transferred the lines to hardboard. Did a few mock-ups and tweaks before putting it all together:







The whole console was higher than the rear view mirror, so visibility wasn't affected at all. You just had to be careful getting in and out of the truck if it was parked on a side-slope



I ran across the templates a couple of weeks ago. Maybe I'll make a V2.0 someday.

 

Hey OP, here's the guy who installed the CB stuff in the headliner of his 1st gen though he doesn't show any pictures of the bottom of the roof

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...-Radiant-Red-Tacoma-build?p=569503#post569503

 

I like this, I may copy the idea.

 

Very nice.

 

Anymore on these? I'd be interested in one..

 

Not at this time. I did trace out the template that I have and scanned it for another member but don't know if he ever wound up doing anything with it. I still have the scans somewhere and could send them over if you're interested. It might be a few days due to work though

 

Sure man

 

I'm curious if you guys thought about how this thing will hold up in a crash. I wouldn't want to have any heavy or sharp object floating around my head during high speed collision.

 

I think crumpling metal, shattering glass and being ejected are more of a concern.

 

heavy? you are talking about the weight of a cell phone once hooked up. its all plastic with no sharp corners.

 

Actually I was talking about this:


Switch, cell phone holder or radar detector is probably OK, just few bruises

 

It bolts up to the brackets the map and dome lights are on. Also has room to add more of whatever you'd like