Installing MeSoJDM's Custom Lower Switch Panel

From there, you can remove the plastic cover along the driver side, and wire tie everything up and out of the way, and then cover it all when you replace the cover.

 

I was wondering about that too...no way I will disassemble so many things...

 

There isn't a need. No matter how slow and careful you are trimming out the stock panel, it will be time and frustration saved from tearing apart the whole shebang.

 

Thanks for the write up and I do have a question. First off, I am not replacing the entire switch panel, but I just want to pop out the iQ charger button and replace with the Front/Rear Camera Mod switch button. I don't like the iQ thing anyway, so losing that button for something more works for me. My question is, if I just remove the center console components, will that provide enough access to pop out that button, cover the the old wires, jam them back into the electrical abyss, and pop in my replacement button with it's wiring?

 

Yes, if you pop off the radio surround and the AC control panel, you can access the switches very easy.

 

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

Just wanted to share my installs of the lower switch panel & the overhead console switch panel install.

Lower panel
https://youtu.be/VpELpmOJu9Y

Overhead console
https://youtu.be/ckLxnr1MAK0

 

So i did the lower panel switch install and it turned out great! I added a usb charger and love it. I do have a few pointers

 

Used black hot glue (easy to use and clean up/remove if needed & hides gaps)

 

When cutting i recommended not starting in the outline groove spot. What I did was start about 1/4"-1/2" or so from the edge with a dremmel router bit and cut off wheel. Then I went back with a roller sander attachment to clean up and get close to the grooved area.
NOTE: you dont need to remove all of the old switch plate plastic to fit in the new one. Once you get to the sanding part, keep checking for good fitment to minimize gap

 

Those pictures show how much i ended up removing. Note that the groove is still visible (the.new.panel will fit fine) Doing this will virtually cover any gap along with the black hot glue or epoxy

Lay new panel from right to left as shown (only if you left groove) this ensures an even fit

 

Remember start slow and remove a little bit at a time. The sander is your friend but if you slip your dash aint gonna look Purdy

 

One last thing. You may have to use a little hot glue around the oem cigarette socket. It seemed loose and wiggled in the meso panel. USE hotglue and not epoxy here in case you need to remove or replace in the future

 

I was hoping to get to this project before my summer trip starting in June, but other delays on parts delayed other installs, that kept pushing back my time to do it clean and right.

Curious why you cut out the factory area that the 12V socket goes. I was thinking of just leaving that material in place to support the printed part, as well as maintain a good fit for the socket itself.

 

I’ve had this installed for a little over 2 years and never had any issues with support or the socket feeling flimsy or loose. I’m sure you could leave the material there if you wanted, but you’d have to cut out the spots where the tabs on the 12v socket go. They won’t fit on 2 layers of material.

 

I’ve had this for years and almost sold it but finally have the need for it.

For those who didn’t take the dash apart how were you able to glue it in without have the glue drip?

Taking the whole dash apart looks like such a pita but probably would give me the best results....just need the motivation to start it, it looks intimidating!

 

I did the whole project in under an hour. Granted, I’m used to taking apart car interiors, but still.

Absolute worst case scenario, you have a screw and a red clip left over like i did. It’s been 5 year since I installed this and I still haven’t found where they go and my truck still hasn’t fallen apart so they’re just in the glove box in case I ever take the whole dash apart again.

also, the heavy duty black hot glue is still holding up in Alabama summers