Where to mount off roadvlight switches in the cab

[Crusty old shellback]

So I bought a light panel and switches to control my off road lights.


There are 4 switch's.
1 for rear flood lights.
1 for amber running lights.
2 for off road lights. High and low.
I have 4 lights I will be mounting.

The light switches need about 1.5 inches in the rear of the panel to fit and run wiring.

So here are my options I found.
1. Lower left side of dash. But I will need to fab a box to move the panel out 1.25 inches to work because of stuff behind the cover.


2. In the center console. Not sure what is behind the coveyhole or how hard it is to remove the center console to get in there to work.


3. In the overhead above the console. Will probably be easier than the center console. Might need a backing plate. Hope I can run all the wires down the A pillar to the engine bay.



Any thoughts or inputs?

Thanks for the help.

 

[oppizzippo]

I like the overhead location. Running wires should be easy.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

So driving the truck around today, I kept reaching up to the overhead console where the switches would mount. Works good, easy to reach, and can easily see the switch's or just feel them out to know which is which.

Wife also approved of that placement. So going to start looking into what it's going to take to mount them there. I have everything I need to make the custom wiring harnesses. So need to figure out mounting and where to run the wires.

 

[mountainears]

Should be tons of room to get the wires down in the pillar. Doesn’t need to be real heavy gauge wire since you’ll be triggering relays.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Should be tons of room to get the wires down in the pillar. Doesn’t need to be real heavy gauge wire since you’ll be triggering relays.

Exactly i use Cat5 cable and solder on spate terminals to the end when running relay trigger wires to switch banks since it can withstand the amperage and voltage needed plus you get 8 wires in a small package!

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Hmm. Didn't think about using cat 5 or something similar.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Hmm. Didn't think about using cat 5 or something similar.

Its wonderful, i have 1000ft boxes of it from installing camera/internet systems so one day i decided to try it after checking the specs and its been great

 

[Crusty old shellback]

So how many Amps will it carry?

Also, I found a few videos on YouTube about removing the headliner. Not near as hard as I thought it would be. and there are standoffs of foam between the liner and the metal roof. So plenty of room it looks like.

 

[popeye2002]

So driving the truck around today, I kept reaching up to the overhead console where the switches would mount. Works good, easy to reach, and can easily see the switch's or just feel them out to know which is which.

Wife also approved of that placement. So going to start looking into what it's going to take to mount them there. I have everything I need to make the custom wiring harnesses. So need to figure out mounting and where to run the wires.

Sounds like you have made up your mind. here is a couple of pics of how I did the aux switches. I'm very pleased with the same concept you have with the Cat5 cable wiring. My Auxbeam uses one wire to the engine compartment and I bet it's very much the same as your plan.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

I was looking at some of those switch panels, but way too pricy.
And I'd have to lean over to reach the switches if I mounted them down there over the cubby.
But it looks good.

 

[popeye2002]

I think you will be happy with your install, I would have never thought to use CAT5 or similar. I'd have thought it's too many wires to run all the way up the A pilar. always learn'n sumptin new on these forums. Thanks to @H3LZSN1P3R this time.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

So I've got a plan and starting the build.
Updates with pictures and plan will now be in my build thread.

 

[Steel Rain]

I just bought my truck used and realize that this post is old, but like me, many people read old posts. The previous owner had mounted his auxbeam switch in the overhead sunglass holder. He disconnected whatever was added to it, but I didn't even know it was there when I bought the truck. Looks great when open and is invisible when closed.