Switch's 9-switch center console mount

I've seen lots of switches using the space in front of the gear shift lever. .

But on my 2022, the coffee cups are in the way. So I'm thinking to use that space behind the gear shift lever that is just collecting junk. This would actually be easier to reach too.

Does anyone make a switch mount for this location?



[edit: 12/28/22] I changed the title of this thread from "Anyone installed switches in the center console behind the shift lever?" to current title because apparently nobody has done this.

 

You genius. I’m working on installing new switches and it never occurred to me to put some in this useless spot.

 

Where there's a will, there's a way, haha. I don't have an auto but I added a radio port on the side of my wasted wireless charging area. As long as there is room for the switch and you have something to cut the plastic cleanly with, you should be good to go.

 

Well sit tight. If I can't find something pre-made for this location, I'll make something myself. In fact, I started making something on my own but hoped there would be something already out there.

I can fit nine 16mm touch sensitive switches in that location. But there is no room for labels.
So maybe just use this location for exterior lights only. One for each light on the truck (arranged geometrically):
Top center: Front LED light bar
Top corners: Left and right cornering lights on the bumper
Sides: Left and right side lights on the A Pillar
Rear corners: Left and right side lights on the ARE cap
Rear center: reverse light in bumper
Center: Rock lights

• There would be no need for labels since each position represents a location on the truck.
• The switches are capacitive (not mechanical) so I don’t have to worry about bumping them with a cup or something.
• Accessible from either side of the truck.
  
• I could light the whole beast up with the palm of my hand.
• And it still leaves room for junk…

Major downside, the touch sensitive switch I have doesn't change when I turn it on. So I can't tell if it is on or off. Probably have to add an LED indicator light witch doubles the complexity.

I just don't want to go through the trouble of making something if better options are already out there.

 

Never seen anybody do it, but for ease of wiring you could get an aux beam panel and marry it to the coin holder that many people sell for that spot.

I get with the right fabbing you could even make it sit flush.

Edit: or...

Amazon sells these metal switch panels for cheap. I bet you could easily fit a two-slot in that section.

 

Or get one of Meso's coin buckets for that location and then modify the lid for switches.

 

Printing this now:

 

Use the smaller version of those push switches, then maybe, have room for labels.

 

This would be a great idea for putting garage door/gate buttons in the center console. Sometimes I press the button on the mirror so hard I have to re-adjust it. You could also alter it so it would fit a trailer brake & the ECT button.

 

I ordered these switches:

$9 APIELE 16mm Latching Push Button Switch 12V DC On Off Black Shell with LED Angel Eye Head for 0.63" Mounting Hole with Wire Socket Plug Self-Locking (Blue/Black Shell)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RFPKSKY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

Test fit.



NOTE: The switches have lock nuts that I did not use because the switches are packed so close together. But the switches screw in securely without them so it is no big deal.

Next step: create a wire harness back to fuse/relay locations.

 

This is the next challenge:


Fortunately the + and - wires to each switch can be consolidated to just two wires. And the yellow wire is for NC (normally closed) which I don't need. So 45 wires can be reduced to 11. That's + and - wires to each switch plus one wire from each switch out to the relay/accessory. So I just need a 12 pin connector like this

$33 Deutsch DT 12-pin Color Pigtail Kit, 16AWG NMMA ABYC USCG Certified Boat RV Wire, 600V, Made in USA

Deutsch 12 Pin connector.

 

You could invert the circuit to make ground with switch for the relay coil. Less wiring.

 

I THINK that those are lit switches, so by doing that, if the light in the switch is LED, then they wouldn't light up.

The only way that I would wire them up with a shared power and ground is that if every switch was controlling a relay or a solid state input and there would only be an amp or three going into the wire harness for the switches and milliamps coming out of each switch when activated.

 

Most of these switches are going to relays. I have some Baja Designs S1s and S2s that use 1.4A and 1.7A respectively, so I was thinking to wire them directly since the switches are rated at 5A.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/S1-Data-Sheet.pdf
https://www.bajadesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/S2-PRO-Data-Sheet.pdf

With two S1s and two S2s, I'd be only using 6.2A.

The switches can be wired to have LED on at all times or only on when closed. I only want them lit when in use so I will do the latter.

[edit 12/28/22] decided to use relays for all lights. This minimizes power requirements to the switch panel and gauge of wires to and from.

 

Instead of sticker labels you could probably find someone in your area with a Co2 laser engraver and have the label etched into the plastic then infill will some color contrasting paint. Give them the center dimensions of the holes and they should be able to plot it all out and do it in one shot to save a little time/money. I think it would look pretty damn good that way! You could even have them put the text on an arc, would look even better. Excellent job, by the way!

 

When I say invert the circuit is to have the ground as control. So the switches still function as they should. I.E. battery - fuse- lamp- switch -ground.
Or battery - fuse -relay - switch - ground

 

I picked up that stupid coin box… This shit is way cooler. Props to you for thinking it up and fabricating a really nice looking panel.

 

Hmmmm I see potential for sales. I’d be game to pay for the printed piece.

 

That is a nice thing about these projects compared to the mods I did on my 2006 Tacoma - where all my custom work was a one-off. Now I can print the fruits of my labors...

I just listed on the 3rd Gen Tacoma Parts Marketplace (2016+)