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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/25/2004 9:57:24 AM
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Being new to the forum I am kinda reluctant to "jump" right in and start telling everybody how to do things.After the response I received from a topic "TAKE TIME" in general discussion I feel like I've been a member for years,thanks everybody.
Ok so on to this switch panel.I own a '00 TJ without the factory center console,but I do have the switches next to the ashtray for the factory fogs which is cool but hard to wire.If your like me I like light...4 is just right for me,but to each his/her own.I looked all over the interior of Pepe (he's a black TJ with my 6 year old daughters artistic white stripe that I've almost got rubbed out,thats another story)for the best location for light switches.I settled for mounting 3 switches just below the tranny shifter on the plastic console/boot.Still that didn't look just right and with this Jeep I wanted things perfect.
I was looking through my local Army/Navy store and found a switch panel that came out of what I think belongs to a inflatable boat.The item was black slightly textured plastic and had a slightly slanted front with mounting tabs on the bottom.I'm sorry I have no pictures I am working on purchasing digital camera and spell check.
I bought the panel and got in Pepe,I placed the panel on the center clutter tray above the vent and it fit perfectly,I originally set the panel up on the tray just to hold it there while I went home but it fit like a glove.
When I got home I got the mail and found the exact switch panel in the Spring Edition of Quadratec catalog PN#12500.200 for $35.00 this part is for a '97-03 TJ but I think it would work on anything with a dash wide enough to fit it.
I quickly got to work with my trusty dremel tool and cut the holes for 4 illuminated marine rocker switches.After connecting power source (I really don't have to mention disconnect battery(ies)do I?)and running the wires through the fire wall by the streering column I then ran the wire bundle to the center of the fire wall in a loom.The wires for my rear bumper back-up lights I ran under the carpet followwing the floor along the tub wall also in a loom that I secured with c-tabs and 1/4" self tappers.Once all the wires were neatly together behind the dash and ready to be loomed together I did so in a bigger loom and ran that up the back of the dash along the firewall to the back of the heat/ac vents.I removed the convienience console and drilled a 3/4" hole in the bottom of the top console tray and ran the loom through the hole and into the switch panel where I hooked up the wires to the appropriate switch.I handled the ground to the chassis ground and had 4 in-line fused hot wires.
Once the panel was mounted the panel looks factory and fits the tray on top of the console like a glove.I was very impressed by the finished job and would recommend it to anyone considering a switch pnael that is both convienient for driving/switching and looks.When completed there should be no visible wires and the panel should fit snug both in the tray and flat.My panel has 4 mounting holes that are part of the panel,2 of the holes are tab type mounts and 2 are part of the panel at the corners.
Here is a list of the supplies and tools you'll need and some optional stuff to make for a tiddy job.Enjoy!
I found out later by going to Pep-Boys you can buy wire kits with 30&40 amp relayed wire sets with all the instructions the whole kabang.
I did it the hard way;
3 ROLLS OF 15' 12G.MULTISTRAND WIRE-I over did this but hey.I also color coded the wires red,black,green.
1 BOX OF RED CRIMP CONNECTORS
1 CRIMPING TOOL
1 PAIR WIRE CUTTERS
1 BOX OF FLAT CONNECTORS-For the back of the connectors I used blue they seemed to fit best.
4 ROLLS OF 15' AUTOMOTIVE LOOM-They make all colors,pre split,unsplit,I found it here at a store called Frye's.
4 MARINE GRADE ROCKER SWITCHES-These are available at any boat supply store or Academy/Oshmans,these look alot like factory Jeep fog light switches.
How ever many light set you have you'll need that many in-line fused leads,I got these at Home Depot for like $5 and there was 6 in the pack.
4 #6 sheet metal screws for the Panel to tray.
1 BOX OF 1/4" SELF TAPPERS FOR SECURING LOOMS TO PLACES.
1 LARGE BOX OF C-TABS (KEEPERS)THESE ARE CALLED LOOM CLAMPS OR TIE DOWNS AND ARE WHITE IN COLOR,I'VE SEEN THEM IN BLACK TOO.
1 ROLL OF GOOD QUALITY ELECTRICAL TAPE.
And finally I bought some little write on tabs from Office Depot to mark which wire are which and what looms belong to what light set.
So either go to Pep-Boys and buy the individual wire sets or go to radio shack or similar store and itemize all the parts.Looking back I'd go to Pep-Boys and buy the kits but hey what are Sunday afternoons made for if not wheelin!
'00 TJ 4" lift,33's,Warn winch,lottsa homemade stuff.My RigRater Score: 584RRv1.0 with a BOA of 29.10
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/22/2010 2:06:00 AM
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/26/2007 7:08:02 AM
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Got any pictures for this write up?
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/22/2010 2:06:00 AM
Posts: 8,052,
Visits: 10,840
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As far as I know, pictures were never provided. I don't even think Al has them, but I could be wrong about that. Sorry dude. If pictures do show up somewhere, I'll include them in the article.
ProActiveDads
Arkside Marketing
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