Creative Ideas For Mounting Switches in Dash???

[HBarlow]

I'm in the process of transferring all the equipment and accessories from my previous to the new truck. Among the accessory items I will install are bed work lights requiring separate sources of power and switches.



As everyone with a Gen III Ram knows, there are not many flat locations on the dash suitable for installing switches. I was thinking about the small rectangular shaped plastic panel in the center bottom of the dash where the exhaust brake switch is mounted on '07. 5 and '08 Rams. As other owners know, the exhaust brake switch is mounted exactly in the center of that plate. I've seen photos of trucks with electric seats and other options and I think the switches for those accessories are also located in that small panel alongside the eb switch.



I've been thinking of buying several more OEM Ram switches like seat heater or exh. brake switches and mounting them in that panel for controlling other accessories.



Has anyone already done this?



Does anyone know how to remove that switch panel from the dash?



Harvey

 

[Garlic]

I'm looking at making a solid state driver control for mine, that way I can use very small low current micro switches. There is no real room on the dash for much of anything. I haven't had the time to figure out how to get the dash apart on this one yet.

 

[pwknapp]

Search over in the off road section. One guy over there led me to some nice 3/4" round black rocker switches with indicator lights. Check under driving lights and or light bars. I purchased my switches on ebay for $5-6. The hard part is drilling the 3/4" hole in the panels without goofing up. Waiting for above freezing temps to do my install. JM. 02

 

[HBarlow]

Do you mean the poster in the Offroad Section drilled and placed switched in the small panel bottom center of the dash? I would need to remove the panel to attach wires. I'll check in the Offroad Section this weekend.

 

[rbattelle]

Don't forget the overhead console!



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Ryan

 

[HBarlow]

Don't forget the overhead console!



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Ryan

Ryan,



Thanks for a good suggestion. As a matter of fact I completely forgot about the overhead console. I think mine has a blank panel in the center that could possibly be used for switches. I wonder how difficult it would be to run wires from that point?

 

[rbattelle]

Harvey,

It's not hard at all to run wires up to the center console. Although they need to be small-gauge wires if you want them to be hidden.

Mine run behind the A-pillar on the driver side, then across the headliner and into the overhead console area (the headliner is cut out just behind the overhead.

I just stuffed the wires in where they go across the headliner. You can't see them.

Ryan

 

[HBarlow]

Ryan,



Where did you source the switches?

 

[rbattelle]

The high idle switch came with the high idle kit I've got (from DSG).

The other switch (for the PC) I bought at the local electronics surplus shop for maybe $0. 50. Places like that are GOLD mines. It's just a simple rocker switch. Small one.

If I didn't have a place like the surplus shop near me, I'd buy my stuff from either Newark electonics, Waytek Wire, or Mouser Electronics. That's where I buy all my specialty stuff I can't find surplus.

Ryan

 

[JKloppe]

This is for back up lights, compressor, fuel transfer, need to add SPDT for switching solenoid between bag pressure and tank pressure sources for gauge. The push button switches inflate and deflate bags. The button for the Nathan Train horns is my little secret:-laf



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[HBarlow]

Thanks Ryan and JKloppe for excellent ideas. Those are great installations.

 

[ENafziger]

Here's another possibility. I have about half of these run through relays for higher current applications. I bolted the relays on the back of the plastic under the steering wheel. The switches each have a green led indicator to match with the factory interior lighting, and I believe are rated for 10 amp at 12v.

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--Eric

 

[HBarlow]

Eric,



That's a nice looking professional installation. Where did you source the switches?

 

[ENafziger]

Well, I went back and looked them up. It looks like they're actually good for 16 amps at 12 volts... a pretty solid little switch! About $4/each

Rocker Switch - Black with Green LED [ROCKERBG] : Performance-PCs.com, ... sleeve it and they will come

--Eric

 

[Jwskj]

I'm in the process of doing the same thing in an '08 Megacab with buckets and a center consloe.

I was also looking for a good place to mount some swithches for lights, air compressor, air horn, and a couple of other things, and I think that my best option is just forward of the storage bins, on the driver's side panel of the center console, about where the drink cups are.

I've bought a few of the switches already from 12V 110V - Power Switches - All shapes, Sizes and Colors!

They have nice-looking automotive switches with LED indicators which are pretty reasonable. They need to be used with relays, however, because they don't have the ability to carry much power. If you use them to fire automotive relays, they work just fine, and circuitry isn't that difficult. I'll be happy to help answer any wiring questions if someone needs to knoww how to do the relay thing.

 

[HBarlow]

Well, I went back and looked them up. It looks like they're actually good for 16 amps at 12 volts... a pretty solid little switch! About $4/each



Rocker Switch - Black with Green LED [ROCKERBG] : Performance-PCs.com, ... sleeve it and they will come



--Eric

Eric,



Thanks. I'll save that link. The switches carry considerably more current than I would have expected.

 

[MickeyMiller]

OK Ryan or JKloppe, how do I get the overhead consol off without breaking anything? Pry/pop the plastic lens/switch units off?

 

[rbattelle]

OK Ryan or JKloppe, how do I get the overhead consol off without breaking anything? Pry/pop the plastic lens/switch units off?

Yeah, that's it. The plastic lenses on the lights pry off. I think the owners manual has a section in there about changing those bulbs, so that will show where to pry the lenses.



Behind the lenses are a couple screws that secure the overhead to the ceiling.



Ryan

 

[radar doctor]

RB ,, You Sure do Good work for a Jet Mechanic. . Class Act,, Radar Doc

 

[MickeyMiller]

RB, I second what Radar Doctor said! I look forward to all your posts!

Thank you!!!Oo.