Switches in cubby hole?

[Geodad]

Has anyone mounted their switches in the cubby hole next to the drink holder rather than cutting into the dash? I'll be starting my V3 Excursion install before long and am wondering if this might be feasible. With just a small hole in the back of the cubby for the wires, this might be less invasive than cutting into the dash....

Your thoughts/ideas would be welcome...does anyone make a panel sized to fit this area? I know Ford added the upfitter switches starting in 05, but I have a 2003 7.3L so the layout is a little different...

thanks!

[Jack_Toepfer]

Normally I'd be on the same page as you, but the location of the switches that DFA recommends is actually very nice. Looks like a factory piece. I can't reach/see my switches from the ground, because my truck is lifted, so I take people to the passenger side to view them... they don't even know what they are looking for because they look so good. My fog light switch, on the other hand, looks horrible and I have to tell people that is not the veggie switch.

Reconsider putting them in the dash, its a nice location.

I have my brake controller and my fog light switch below the cup holders on the part that angles toward the floor... that would be a nice location too. The green LED on the switch is not on the dimmer circuit, so it is always bright.

[Marv]

Geo, I was the same way you are - didn't want to cut the dash.

I decided to go with a project box from Radio Shack and mount them down below the dash - just to the right of the OBDII port if you're sitting in the truck.

I snapped a pic this past weekend of how it turned out. I was really happy with the result.

I'll post the pic this evening both here and in my install thread.

Thanks!

[Wilson]

see my post in the excursion forum here...

follow the link and see the pics. very clean an minimal cutting. looks better than those pics in person since i put a dab of epoxy on the side.

[Geodad]

Thanks, Wilson

It looks in the pic like the switches just fit in the cubby hole. Is that the case or are they mounted on a panel that slides into the cubby?

Also, did you weld in the new fill port on your tank or take it somewhere? If I do this, I will need to have this done for me since I don't have the welding skills for it...

[Wilson]

just had to "clearance" the plastic a little in the dash. I figure I'm going this far I can do this too!

Actually I think it looks really good and you can still fit a wallet in there!

[Marv]

Gonna bring this back from the dead a bit since I promised to post up a pic of what I did with my switches. Finally got around to hosting the pic.

[Geodad]

Very nice! Is the project box attached at its top or some other way?
thanks,

[powerstroke73L]

I have mine mounted in the recommended spot and like the look. I've often wondered what it looks like from the outside of the truck at night going down the road between the intense green of the V3 light and the blue glow from my Sirius receiver-like maybe I've got "Saturday Night Fever" going on in my truck?

[Marv]

Very nice! Is the project box attached at its top or some other way?
thanks,

I actually used some standard "L" shape brackets from Home Depot for the mouting. I bent them to the angle I wanted and just bolted (drilled and used little phillips head screws) them to the back of the project box. Right up above the box under the edge of the dash is part of the metal structure that supports it from behind. I had to drill a couple holes in it, but overall, two screws held it great.

[lamintdog]

anyone know the make/model # of these rocker switches and where to get them? The red auto LED on my V2 went out and I need a replacement... I think the boys are busy b/c they haven't gotten back to me. If the switch is cheap enough, I'll just get a replacement sent...

thx

[lamintdog]

nevermind got it. Carling Tech, contura II, V series DPDT.

[Fordnut74]

anyone know the make/model # of these rocker switches and where to get them? The red auto LED on my V2 went out and I need a replacement... I think the boys are busy b/c they haven't gotten back to me. If the switch is cheap enough, I'll just get a replacement sent...

thx

Try calling or shooting me an email and we will gladly send you a new switch with LED's instead of the standard filament bulb.

[lamintdog]

great - thank you!

[Marv]

Try calling or shooting me an email and we will gladly send you a new switch with LED's instead of the standard filament bulb.

Great customer service right there!

When my light goes out, I might upgrade to the LED setup.