my overhead console switch panel

My over head switch panel
I wanted my switches to be in the over head console but I didn’t want to permanently modify the console. I also don’t posses fiber glassing skills. So here is what I came up with.
Parts used
Front sunglasses holder
Daystar switch panel for a Jeep JK
OTRATTW 6 switch Six position V-Series Switch Holder
Some JB weld
radio back straps
A couple long bolts
a lot of plastic welding with a soldering iron

Here is where I wanted the switch panel to go.

And I wanted it to fit on here




I had a daystar switch panel left from my Jeep JK. It was a perfect starting point.
Here it is before I started cutting on it.




I cut it in half. Then cut out the center large enough for the switch holder. Then cut it down further to be about the size of the front sunglass holder in the overhead console
The extra plastic I used for filler and plastic welded the pieces in place










Once all the pieces were in place I JB Welded a length of back strapping along the narrow front part just to add a little strength




I then took 2 small pieces of back strapping and made “L” brackets to secure the entire piece to the sunglass holder. Then JB Welded them in place. I drilled to small holes in the sunglass holder and bolted the pat together. These 2 bolts should be long enough for me to bolt the entire assembly to the over head console.






Here is what it looks like now.









I still need to bondo everything smooth and paint it to match. If my “L” brackets hold, I shouldn't have to glue the 2 main components together allowing me to take it all apart at any time.

That’s all for now. I will post up more once I get it cleaned up and my switches mounted.

 

Question, do you guys know if there is a wire for illumination in the overhead console? one that has power when the lights are on? Also, anyone know where i can get spray paint to match the stock gray plastic?

 

Can you explain how to remove the actual sunglass holder from the overhead console (like the door part that swings)? I can't seem to find instructions anywhere.

Also - why did you feel the need to add the extra part that hangs down? I was contemplating doing something similar but I was just going to mount the OTRATTW switch holder thing directly to the swinging door. Not 100% sure the depth is there though. Do you think it would fit?

 

I can't wait to see the finished product. Thanks for sharing!

 

love it.

 

Sorry guys for not posting pics. With the holidays and all I have been busy. I got it mostly finished and installed. I think it needs a little more refining. After paint I can see some rough spots that didn't get filled in with the bondo. Overall I am very happy with it.

So I didn't just mount it to the sunglasses holder for 2 reasons. 1 was the switches would almost be out of site from the drivers view. You can't see the switch faces so it would be hard to see what is what. 2 I am not sure if there is enough depth. There is for the switches for sure but not sure if there would be enough room once you plug the terminals in. With the switch panel in place, I still had to cut out the sunglasses holder for the to be enough depth.

As for removal, gently pry from the side opposite the gears. It should flex enough to pop out. Be careful what you use or you will mar the plastic of the console. I later discovered I could just push from the side by hand and pull it out. There is a wire spring in there that makes it open slowly. It will pop out.

 

Thanks for the info. Mine doesnt seem to have a spring on either side, and definitely does not have enough give to be able to pull one side out. Maybe they've changed something be 10 and 14 but I just don't see any way of getting it out without pulling the whole cubby off - and I still can't figure out how to do that.

 

The entire overhead console on mine has a single screw underneath the rear sunglasses holder. Then pull down from the front closest to the windshield. Their are 2 clips. Then slide forward. Don't pull down from the rear where the screw is. There's a video on you tube about it. The actual sunglasses cubbie is plastic welded to the over head console. I didn't remove that. The spring you probably won't see until you get the door off.

 

I've pulled the console off - still no dice on getting the door off. Mine doesn't have gears like I see in your picture, so they must be different.

 

subbing. nice work

 

Well here are some more pics. Sorry but I don't have any in between pics. I would have liked to show what it looks like behind the switches but I forgot to take pics. Sorry.

One thing, the epoxy didn't hold the "L" brackets to the plastic. So I heated them up really hot and basically melted the plastic to the brackets.

Anyway, here's the finished product. I need to do some more sanding and smoothing but it's good for now.

Another thing I recommend is not using the switch holes on the outer edges. Once there is a switch in there, it makes it very hard to take the switch panel off.

 

I like it!!!

 

Sell me this

 

Thanks but I couldn't sell it. It's not that great looking.

 

Such a great idea, thank you for all the pictures.

 

That's cool!Nice work!

 

Thanks. I need to do some repairs. Siince building it, there have been some small hairline cracks show up in the bondo. But it hasn't fallen on my head yet.

 

Done went and jacked my idea out of my head and actually made it a little better then I was thinking of doing so now I get to add to mine and make it even better thanks for the write up and inspiration

 

so guys. just wanted to let you all know i will be putting this up for sale on Thursday if anyone is interested. i wont have my truck any longer and will be replacing the entire over head console with a new one. i will be selling this as an entire unit. Don't know yet if i will include the switches or not. havent gotten that far yet

 

@Hunter.V.White