Aux Switches

[Brutal_HO]

Has anyone tried to pull the faceplate off one of the factory AUX switches?

I really want to label mine, but am trying to avoid cheesy. If the plastic cover snaps off somehow, there's a possibility of fabricating a (backlit) replacement.

I tried gently pulling one with a small hook pick, but don't want to break anything.

Worst case, I'll use my wife's vinyl cutter and transfer some letters/logo or go full cheese with a white on black P-touch label. The (Cricut) cutter doesn't always do well with tiny lettering. I made some for our RV slide buttons as small as I dared that look OK, but I think those will be too big.

 

[pdavey]

this is behind the battery on the drivers side nearest the firewall. My truck didn’t have the upfitter relay/fuse panel so I got an aftermarket one and made a mounting panel for it.

Nice work. Following this now. I am getting my Expedition One bumpers for my 19 Power Wagon and need to wire the new lights. I ordered the parts to install the Aux PDC in my truck as it didn’t come with it even though I got the VSIM Upfitters wiring.

Thanks to everyone who has posted the parts. Will keep folks aprised of my journey as I get everything pulled together.

 

[pdavey]

Has anyone tried to pull the faceplate off one of the factory AUX switches?

I really want to label mine, but am trying to avoid cheesy. If the plastic cover snaps off somehow, there's a possibility of fabricating a (backlit) replacement.

I tried gently pulling one with a small hook pick, but don't want to break anything.

Worst case, I'll use my wife's vinyl cutter and transfer some letters/logo or go full cheese with a white on black P-touch label. The (Cricut) cutter doesn't always do well with tiny lettering. I made some for our RV slide buttons as small as I dared that look OK, but I think those will be too big.

I believe you have to take the switch assembly completely off as there are tabs that hold the front onto the electronics in the back. My switch assembly will be here either tomorrow or Monday. Will take a look and get back to you.

 

[time2kyl]

How the progress coming on this BigSwede?

 

[pdavey]

Has anyone tried to pull the faceplate off one of the factory AUX switches?

I really want to label mine, but am trying to avoid cheesy. If the plastic cover snaps off somehow, there's a possibility of fabricating a (backlit) replacement.

I tried gently pulling one with a small hook pick, but don't want to break anything.

Worst case, I'll use my wife's vinyl cutter and transfer some letters/logo or go full cheese with a white on black P-touch label. The (Cricut) cutter doesn't always do well with tiny lettering. I made some for our RV slide buttons as small as I dared that look OK, but I think those will be too big.

Here are pictures of the switch. While you can pull off the faceplate it doesn't look like you can replace the writing on them unless you get someone to mold you a custom button

I got mine installed with relative ease and enabled them through alphaodb.

Have the aux pdc on order and will install that when it comes in.

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[Brutal_HO]

Thanks for the pics

 

[jsalbre]

Many years ago I saw someone custom label some switches by sanding the black down so the white light-up plastic was exposed, painting a new black layer on them, then laser etching out their logos and clear coating them.

A huge effort, but it worked.

I really want some nice labels for my switches, but I fear I’m going to have to use the old P-Touch.

 

[Wmhjr]

Many years ago I saw someone custom label some switches by sanding the black down so the white light-up plastic was exposed, painting a new black layer on them, then laser etching out their logos and clear coating them.

A huge effort, but it worked.

I really want some nice labels for my switches, but I fear I’m going to have to use the old P-Touch.

I'm not labeling. I don't think there is any way for them to not look bad. I'm the one using the switches. I'll just have to remember which is which.

 

[Wpg_Ram]

Here are pictures of the switch. While you can pull off the faceplate it doesn't look like you can replace the writing on them unless you get someone to mold you a custom button

I got mine installed with relative ease and enabled them through alphaodb.

Have the aux pdc on order and will install that when it comes in.

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Did you go with the oem PDC or an aftermarket box ? I have to hunt that down also lol

 

[pdavey]

I went with OEM. Didn't want to fool with running a bunch of wires. The dealership is looking for all the parts but I found the part numbers. Will post it in a day or two.

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[Wpg_Ram]

I went with OEM. Didn't want to fool with running a bunch of wires. The dealership is looking for all the parts but I found the part numbers. Will post it in a day or two.

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Thank you ! I found the PDC in a few spots but the box itself seems to have been discontinued and only the wiring is available for order. I’m very much hoping you have a different number then the one I found online

 

[pdavey]

Thank you ! I found the PDC in a few spots but the box itself seems to have been discontinued and only the wiring is available for order. I’m very much hoping you have a different number then the one I found online

Here is the parts list for the Aux PDC

Order Contents:
P/N Quantity Price Each Description
68159909AB 1 $ 5.35 BRACKET. Power Distribution Center.
[I/P Mounted Switch Bank], Police Package.
68241005AA 1 $ 12.30 SHUNT. Z Case Mega 32V.
68241002AA 1 $ 12.42 FUSE. Z CASE SINGLE Mega. 250 AMP.
04868024AB 1 $ 4.24 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 60 Amp. Export.
04868008AB 1 $ 3.26 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 40 Amp. Export, Mexico.
68083434AB 1 $ 1.41 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 25 Amp. Export, US, Canada. Mexico.
06102075AB 1 $ 4.18 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 20 Amp. Export, Mexico.
56007080AB 1 $ 19.56 RELAY. Radiator Fan.
05187880AC 1 $ 62.00 RELAY.
G8V-RH-1A7T-R-DCX12, Intake heater.
000ATM20 1 $ 1.35 FUSE. Mini. 20 AMP, Yellow. EATX, Engine, Export, Fuel Pump, Hazard Flasher, Horn, Interior Lighting, Left Low Beam, Mexico, Stop Lamps, US, Canada, Used for: Cigar Lighter And Accessory, Wiper.
0000ATM5 1 $ 1.41 FUSE. Mini. 5 Amp, Tan. Export, Mexico, US, Canada.
68188680AA 1 $ 5.84 COVER. Power Distribution Center. Lower.
68209998AC 1 $ 49.20 KIT. Auxiliary Power Distribution Center.
[Auxiliary Switches - I/P Mounted], Wiring Only.
68188679AA 1 $ 6.89 COVER. Power Distribution Center. Upper.


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[Jimmy07]

Here is the parts list for the Aux PDC

Order Contents:
P/N Quantity Price Each Description
68159909AB 1 $ 5.35 BRACKET. Power Distribution Center.
[I/P Mounted Switch Bank], Police Package.
68241005AA 1 $ 12.30 SHUNT. Z Case Mega 32V.
68241002AA 1 $ 12.42 FUSE. Z CASE SINGLE Mega. 250 AMP.
04868024AB 1 $ 4.24 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 60 Amp. Export.
04868008AB 1 $ 3.26 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 40 Amp. Export, Mexico.
68083434AB 1 $ 1.41 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 25 Amp. Export, US, Canada. Mexico.
06102075AB 1 $ 4.18 FUSE, FUSE CARTRIDGE. J Case. 20 Amp. Export, Mexico.
56007080AB 1 $ 19.56 RELAY. Radiator Fan.
05187880AC 1 $ 62.00 RELAY.
G8V-RH-1A7T-R-DCX12, Intake heater.
000ATM20 1 $ 1.35 FUSE. Mini. 20 AMP, Yellow. EATX, Engine, Export, Fuel Pump, Hazard Flasher, Horn, Interior Lighting, Left Low Beam, Mexico, Stop Lamps, US, Canada, Used for: Cigar Lighter And Accessory, Wiper.
0000ATM5 1 $ 1.41 FUSE. Mini. 5 Amp, Tan. Export, Mexico, US, Canada.
68188680AA 1 $ 5.84 COVER. Power Distribution Center. Lower.
68209998AC 1 $ 49.20 KIT. Auxiliary Power Distribution Center.
[Auxiliary Switches - I/P Mounted], Wiring Only.
68188679AA 1 $ 6.89 COVER. Power Distribution Center. Upper.


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The only thing I don’t notice is the left dash harness that contains the actual aux PDC body (I see the upper and lower cover in your list). 68460174AB would be an example of a left dash harness that contains the aux PDC, but there are several part numbers depending on which headlights you have, fog lights, and front park sense, etc.

 

[kobra]

Ok, totally dumb user here, and first time I have aux switches in a RAM...
What is a PDC, and why would I need one?

Basically, I want to add:
1. light bar in the bumper
2. power a DC-DC charger for the 5th wheel. I will run a heavy cable that will go to the back of the truck, then connect using an Anderson connector to a new heavy cable from the 5th wheel, which will connect to a DC-DC charger. I will fuse the main cable, but want to also switch it using one of the aux switches.

Do I need a PDC to use the aux switches for the above?
And if anyone has specific suggestions on wiring the above, I would be really appreciative!

Thanks,

B

 

[Brewbud]

Ok, totally dumb user here, and first time I have aux switches in a RAM...
What is a PDC, and why would I need one?

Basically, I want to add:
1. light bar in the bumper
2. power a DC-DC charger for the 5th wheel. I will run a heavy cable that will go to the back of the truck, then connect using an Anderson connector to a new heavy cable from the 5th wheel, which will connect to a DC-DC charger. I will fuse the main cable, but want to also switch it using one of the aux switches.

Do I need a PDC to use the aux switches for the above?
And if anyone has specific suggestions on wiring the above, I would be really appreciative!

Thanks,

B

If you have the AUX switches when bought new you already have the PDC. Look behind the driver's side battery. The PDC is a box near the firewall. Your outputs are to the left of it.

 

[kobra]

If you have the AUX switches when bought new you already have the PDC. Look behind the driver's side battery. The PDC is a box near the firewall. Your outputs are to the left of it.

Perfect, thanks @Brewbud !

B

 

[pdavey]

The only thing I don’t notice is the left dash harness that contains the actual aux PDC body (I see the upper and lower cover in your list). 68460174AB would be an example of a left dash harness that contains the aux PDC, but there are several part numbers depending on which headlights you have, fog lights, and front park sense, etc.

That seems to be a 3500 only part probably for diesel exhaust.

I have a 6.4 2500.

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[Jimmy07]

That seems to be a 3500 only part probably for diesel exhaust.

I have a 6.4 2500.

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Right, but I just cherry-picked one of the part numbers that has the aux PDC. If your truck doesn’t have one already, nothing changes the fact that in order to get the aux PDC box, you must change the left dash harness out to one that includes it.

 

[steve49]

So I've been contemplating adding the auxiliary switches and this is what I see with my truck, and I have read all 12 pages in this thread. I do have the PDC under the hood behind the battery on the drivers side. I also see down between the drivers side battery and the front fuse box, a group of six wires taped together with yellow tape, and appear they may have some kind of connector on the ends. So.....,

1) I assume with the PDC I would need to purchase some additional fuses and relays for the aux. switches?
2) Are those six wires described above where you would connect whatever to the switch panel?
3) I would need a wire harness made that would connect from the dash switch panel to another plugin location under the dash which is connected to the PDC?
4) Then use AlphaOBD to activate the switches?

Am I missing something?

Here are pics of the PDC and wires.

 

[time2kyl]

@BigSwede any update on your progress?