FJ to Taco (OEM) Switch Bezel Project

Hello TW,

So ive been thinking and thinking and as most of you guys noticed our Tacos dont have enough switch inserts for our toys LOL so by browsing along and doing intensive research i have come up with an idea that i will be completing in the next month or so.

TASK: Install (part of) FJ Cruiser Switch Bezel into my Taco near cup holder; While keeping the OEM look and keeping the cup holder section in place.

I will upload pictures as i go. I will try to be as detailed as possible and give you guys info of the part #'s and where i got the parts.

WHAT SOME ARE DOING

What most guys are doing is either buying switch panels and switches from http://www.otrattw.com/ I have nothing against these switches; I have only heard positive results from people who have installed them. However my project is focusing on keeping OEM look as well as OEM switches.

Usually when these swithces are used you either put them up by lighting consel like so .. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...923-overhead-console-custom-switch-panel.html

or they are put into factory locations as described below.

BBYE V8 is a good source if you want to fit Aftermarket (NON OEM) switches into factory locations without drilling a hole for new locations. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-contura-v-carling-stock-switch-location.html
However there are many other ways that you can do this, so please share what set up you got going so others can get ideas.

dustin81 has his set up this way if you have an aftermarket radio unit http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/257842-otrattw-switch.html

What my project is focusing on is putting the switch panel part # 55407-35090-BO from a FJ Cruiser into the central counsel section like so, but only doing half of it so i can keep the cup holder, becasue i use this one quite often and i dont need 8 switch spots. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/6...9439-new-mod-fj-cruiser-switch-bezel-mod.html

Things youll need to complete this:

-Skill Saw
-30 grit saw ($6-7 at Home Depot)
-Part # 55407-35090-BO off FJ cruiser (check out link below of my price comparisons that i did for this peice)
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/fj-cruisers/308685-need-lower-switch-panel.html

- Epoxy general purpose or similar fast drying glue
- Masking Tape
- Ruler
- Sharpie
- Common sence
- Part #55539-48030-B1 for blanks if your not planning on filling them up with somthing shortly.
(if you order these at a dealerhsip you dont pay shipping and if you ask for 10% for being such a good client of theirs they might give you that so you might get it the cheapest at a dealership)

NOTES
**Measurements after cutting out of the panel Width 6mm Length 9.9mm. (yours might vary depending on your cut.)

**You might have to do some buffing to make the sides smooth and even

**Put some masking tape on the panel that you will not be cutting, this way you dont scratch it as your using the skill saw

**Might want to put a black semi gloss paint fisnish on it to make sure it all shines and looks ne after all the cutting

Below are the pictures of my materials and what i did, anyway enjoy and share, hopfully this will help someone else in their decision on completing this mod.

****FOR SALE: THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANEL, FOR SOMEONE WHO IS INTRESTED IN COMPLETING THIS MOD AND DOESNT WANT TO PAY THE $113 FOR THE FULL PANEL. TO BE FAIR FIRST PM WILL GET DIBS ON PANEL. I ONLY HAVE ONE SINCE I DIDNT USE THE OTHER SIDE. PICTURE IS ATTACHED. PRICE $60 SHIPPED OBO

 

BUMP, New info and Pics

 

nice work!

 

Good job... Here's another version with the same panel

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/6...9439-new-mod-fj-cruiser-switch-bezel-mod.html

 

Thanks man yeah this is actually what got me intrested in doing this. i including this link in my research, his got great detail! i wanted to leave my cup holder lol, cant imagine not having it

 

thats the exact link and panel that came to mind lol

looks good op. i too am looking to add some switches somewhere, the only thing that is setting me back on adding them on that shifter bezel is someone spilling something on them

 

Thanks, actually believe it or not i didnt even think about that lol. Most of my drinks are either in bottles or if i have coffee its in my spill proof tumbler.. Like a boss lol jk

 

indeed... i need my cupholder! LOL

 

Hate to be that guy, but that's techincally a jigsaw.

 

any takers on this mod? I still have the other side of the panel, so if you want to do this mod this will save you like $60 bucks

 

Glad to see that my link from toyotanation is still floating around! Haha. I posted it here, on tacomaworld, as well.

 

Anyone intrested in buying the other side of the panel to complete the other side ? $$60 Shipped OBO

 

https://www.otrattw.com/proddetail.php?prod=VM3-01

could have used these in the same way to keep costs down

 

I have that exact link posted on top.+ How ppl use them. The point of the project was to keep the OEM look

 

good point, didn't even see that. So apposed to using the Rocker switches, now you can use oem style switches. Gotcha, nice work

 

Looks good.

 

Thanks guys)

 

If this was facebook I would like this...

 

But its not facebook so your point is invalid lol. Love it, hate it, i dont care. I take pride in my creativity and IMO i think it turned out nicely. Its never been done and gives another option out for Taco enthusiasts out there

 

I like the idea. And you did a much better job than I could have, but I think the sides could use a bit more TLC. I don't know if I could live with the jagged edges staring at me every day.