AUX switch idea I had. opinions?
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
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From: Nordern Michigan....Just under da bridge eh!
AUX switch idea I had. opinions?
I love the AUX switch panels out of the superduty and the ones int he Raptor. And I want some in my truck to power the off road lights and maybe a few other things in the future.
Id like to remove my ashtray and mount some right that in that space. I could buy a switch panel off ebay. But i've heard conflicting stories that the ford AUX switches are a pain to wire in. Has anyone done this on here yet? I searched a little and couldnt find anything with good pictures or anything.
Id like to remove my ashtray and mount some right that in that space. I could buy a switch panel off ebay. But i've heard conflicting stories that the ford AUX switches are a pain to wire in. Has anyone done this on here yet? I searched a little and couldnt find anything with good pictures or anything.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,275
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From: League City, Texas
Not sure about the Ford aux switches. And I am even less sure about the FX-4 dash / ashtray layout. What I can tell you is what I did in my bench seat / floor shift t-case XLT (I didn't go cheap, that is what I wanted for a reason...). The panel that on the XLT just holds the cigarette lighter was for all intents and purposes, useless to me (don't smoke, only need one 12V and my dash has a good 12V socket elsewhere...), so I popped it out, and wired in the switch for my off road lights. I used the KC wiring harness kit, which included probably one of the best made aftermarket 12V switches I have ever come across, and I have been toying with cars as a hobby since the mid 1980s. (The switch itself is KC Item #3116).
It's a simple oval switch that powers the relay that does the real work. Just make sure you have the room behind, drill, mount, wire, use... Actually in retrospect, everything, and I honestly mean every single thing, about the KC light wiring harness kit was absolutely top notch. Depending on what else you want to wire in, I'd go with a top quality prefab harness like the KC, or spend some quality time with at least the switches / relays from KC or a similar supplier, pick some top quality wire, top quality harness sleeve (electronics shops have some really nice stuff), shrink tubing, solder on connectors and a soldering iron (you CAN crimp your connections, but if you are going to do it yourself, why not do it right?), then pick your spot to mount, and fab up a face plate, or use an existing, preferably a panel that can be easily replaced if you decide to change it around down the road...
It's a simple oval switch that powers the relay that does the real work. Just make sure you have the room behind, drill, mount, wire, use... Actually in retrospect, everything, and I honestly mean every single thing, about the KC light wiring harness kit was absolutely top notch. Depending on what else you want to wire in, I'd go with a top quality prefab harness like the KC, or spend some quality time with at least the switches / relays from KC or a similar supplier, pick some top quality wire, top quality harness sleeve (electronics shops have some really nice stuff), shrink tubing, solder on connectors and a soldering iron (you CAN crimp your connections, but if you are going to do it yourself, why not do it right?), then pick your spot to mount, and fab up a face plate, or use an existing, preferably a panel that can be easily replaced if you decide to change it around down the road...