My Choice For Extra Switches

[mwilson]

What do you guys think of these for add on electrical???



Made by Carling for Western Star. Don't pay any attention to what is marked on the actuators, I am still experimenting with placement, function, etc.



They will fit the upper storage slot under the radio without navigation and will fit the lower slot if you have the storage tray without heated seats or power sliding window. No Modification, snap right in. Also solves the rounded dash problem.



Let me know if you want more info.



Mike. Oo.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Looks great! Even factory.

Is there anyplace on-line where I can buy those switches? I went to Western Stars site but they dont list Carling as vendor.

 

[flyby night]

I know West Marine has some like them from Carling or Blue Sea. Cole Hersee also make an almost identical switch.

 

[mwilson]

Carling makes these for a lot of different companys. They make several basic switches that can be used for all kinds of applications.

Then you pick the actuator (engine brake, back-up lights, etc. ) and snap that into the switch unit. They are backlit with an amber LED and then can be set up to lite when turned on with either a red or green LED depending on the switch that you choose.

I have also purchased the correct plug and terminals for the switch so that the integrity will be equal to the factory units.



I will post more pics tonight and will give you guys part numbers, diagrams, etc. as I get time.



I just wanted to throw out a quick post first to see if there was any interest in this. Seems to be so will keep info coming.



Mike

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yep, I want more pics, It sounds like I like this better than the stainless plate I've been machining for mine... ... . and there's a StarCar dealer I do business with in Dallas, about 70 miles from my house... . down the street from Classic Chrome

 

[HBarlow]

Nice looking switches. I assume they are rocker switches.

If you or someone else would offer a switch mount bracket that would snap in or otherwise attach to our Dodge dash console pocket with switches tailored to the buyer's needs such as exhaust brake, aux lights, or whatever I would expect they would be popular among TDR members. I would order a set.

 

[mwilson]

These snapped right in as soon as I removed the storage pocket. The pocket is held on from the backside by four screws. The whole thing seems to be reversable at this point.



I will keep you all posted as I continue this. I have been racking my brain trying to come up with something that looked good and did not require trashing the dash panels to make it work.



This plan occured to me when I jumped in a new Western Star a couple weeks ago to move it out of the wash bay. I looked at the switch panel and the light bulb came on.



I will post more pictures tonight and as time goes on I will post the electical diagrams, switch and actuator parts numbers, etc. I will give you the current Western Star part numbers so that you can go to any dealer and get them. You can't find them on the website as they are OEM parts.



Harvey, they are indeed rockers. Off down, on up. The exceptions are the extreme left and right switches, they are on-off-on and I plan to use those for the Rostra Heated Seat controls. Am e-mailing Rostra today to see what the wiring requirements are if I don't use the switch that they send.



It seems nice to have a little time to work this out this spring as in the past I couldn't tie the truck up and had to hurry. Now I don't where I use the old Caddy for my commute.



The wife thinks I am obsessed, maybe so. I think it is fun!!!:-laf:-laf

 

[mwilson]

Picture 1

Tool to remove switches from panel and actuators from switches



Picture 2

Back view of single switch



Picture 3

Front view of single switch, amber LED backlight, green LED when actuated



Picture 4

Back view of an actuator and front of switch



Picture 5

Front view of an actuator and switch

 

[mwilson]

Picture 1

Terminals and socket for switch



Picture 2

Left end, right end and center section. These are like Legos, you can just keep adding what you need for cavities.



Picture 3

Left and right end together



Picture 4

Left end and two centers



Picture 5

Left end, two centers and right end.



NOTE!!**********************NOTE!!!*********************NOTE!!!*************************NOTE!!!******************** I did not use these cavities for my install as the curved dash would be an issue, but figured I would show them in case somebody might have some use for them in a flat panel

 

[mwilson]

Picture 1

Switch snapped into panel



Picture 2

Actuator snapped into switch

 

[mwilson]

Trying to load the drawings for the actuators and switches, but computer is fighting me. Will try again tomorrow night.

Sorry... .

 

[RideSlow2004]

Awesome idea. I have similar switches in my work truck. I will contact the company that did the upfit, and see how or what they are doing. They do custom installs for lots of agencies, so might have something that could work for TDR members.



Glad you made the leap, I sure didn't.....

 

[DWordinger]

Here is a source for the Contura switches, mounting panels, plugs, terminals, and other parts.

 

[JCrockett]

Good switches

I have been using these same switches for the last 5 years with ZERO problems, I have them in all my trucks. I had to modify the panel in my 05, pretty cool they snap in on the 07 and newer dash.

a friend of mine actually sells these swithces and can be contacted at -- email address removed --

 

[mwilson]

Took a mental health day today and got some stuff done while the weather was good.



(1) Finished servicing the truck



(2) Finished the Rear Seat DVD install



(3) Finished installing the Painless Wiring Fuseblock



(4) Finished wiring Engine Brake



(5) Wired and installed the Carling Switches.



My A** is dragging... . :{



(1)Picture of my Painless Mounting Location



(2)Switches in



(3)Switches powered up



(4)Switches with Dash Lights On



(5)DVD works great, took it down to show grandkid # 2 but was already in bed.....



Used the Wife's new Nikon, amazing pictures in total darkness. Just have to hold still, blurred the first few pictures that I took. :-laf

 

[EricBu12]

Wilson, where did you get the switches? Online?

 

[mwilson]

At the FTL/WST truck dealership where I work.

I have been trying to get the diagrams and part numbers to upload, but need to modify them a little when I get to work today.



My big plan is to get the part numbers on here so that any of you can go to a Western Star Dealership and get them. Will get more tonight.

 

[JBonpua]

Darn I can not use the mounting spot as I have heated seats and sliding window.

 

[DDT]

I really like those, but I have a 04. Curved cubby hole,hmmmm

 

[mwilson]

My dash has a wicked curve also. If you don't use the bezels there is room enough on the backside of the switch to allow for a curved surface and still have the front of the switches touching. If I have the dash back off tomorrow I will take a picture of the curvature to show you.



Is your dash like JCrockett's on page 1??