Post pictures of your aftermarket switch locations.

[duvinclunk]

I'm currently debating on the route to take for some upcoming accessory switches that will need to be in the cabin. On a previous truck build I had just run an accessory switch panel system (sPod specifically but similar to many others on the market) and had run them up to the sun glasses holder. I had all sorts of lights on that vehicle, specifically for camp/scene lighting but we just never used them as we thought we would and figured I wouldn't waste the time with those on the Cruiser build.

So I'm thinking I may have a total of 4 switches that will need to be in the cabin: ARB compressor, ARB front locker, ARB rear locker, and some type of front lightbar or round lights as I did find I used those when in some really remote, dark places. I didn't want to spend the $500 for one of those switch panels that consolidate the switches into an easy unit and thinking I may just use ARB's switches that come with the products but I'm left with a blank on where they would be able to go cleanly.

I'd love to see where everyone has put the switches in their vehicles so post some pictures if you'd like to play along!

 

[hoser]

Hard to beat the OEM F/R dial. Good ergonomics and you can operate it without looking at the dial and without lighting.

Air compressor: Right above/side of locker dial... and is within reach while standing outside the vehicle, if you use the same button/compressor for filling tires.

Some type of front lightbar or round lights: If you don't have foglights, you can use OE stalk to operate the lightbar. Just need to mod the wiring set-up to make it independent of headlamps.

 

[nukegoat]

I had the same question and people just suggested the central headliner area between the sun visors. Sort of disappointing IMO so I will likely buy one of those pod things and put it on the dash.

Between lockers, lights, compressors, and winch controls, i dont see many alternatives. Plus I like having more USB ports.

 

[leej]

@duvinclunk

Sorry I don't have pictures, but have you thought about using some of the existing unused switch slots (I have two unused switch slots and a square blank to the left of my steering wheel, and one switch blank in the center console)? Depending on your truck/options, you may have some slots that aren't being used. I used factory switches and existing slots on a Land Rover (no longer own it), and it worked very well, made it look like factory options!

See pic below that I found elsewhere on mud, (two blanks on top left with covers, and one aftermarket switch in the bottom left slot. On my 2000 LC, I have a cover where the diff lock is in the pic below):

There is some info here:
Add-on dash switches

And you can get all kinds of switches to go into the factory slots online:
(light switches): OEM Replacement LED Light Push Switch For Toyota Landcruiser Hilux Prado FJ 12V | Alexnld.com

And I found locker and compressor switches that will fit factory slots on ebay (search for "Land Cruiser locker switch" or "Land Cruiser compressor switch").

I wonder if you could use a factory "Diff Lock" switch (like the one in the pic above) and as suggested by @hoser , and wire it accordingly (no guarantee it would fit in the slot, but I have a cover over the slot where the diff lock is in the pic above):
GENUINE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER LEXUS LX450 DIFFERENTIAL LOCK SWITCH 84725-60020 OEM | eBay

Sorry I don't have pictures, but hope this helps and might give you some ideas of using the existing dash/console.

Lee

 

[hoser]

I wonder if you could use a factory "Diff Lock" switch (like the one in the pic above) and as suggested by @hoser , and wire it accordingly (no guarantee it would fit in the slot, but I have a cover over the slot where the diff lock is in the pic above):
GENUINE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER LEXUS LX450 DIFFERENTIAL LOCK SWITCH 84725-60020 OEM | eBay

It fits and works. Many including myself have used that switch. You can also get fancy and wire up the locker indicator lights on the dash.

 

[duvinclunk]

@duvinclunk

Sorry I don't have pictures, but have you thought about using some of the existing unused switch slots (I have two unused switch slots and a square blank to the left of my steering wheel, and one switch blank in the center console)? Depending on your truck/options, you may have some slots that aren't being used. I used factory switches and existing slots on a Land Rover (no longer own it), and it worked very well, made it look like factory options!

See pic below that I found elsewhere on mud, (two blanks on top left with covers, and one aftermarket switch in the bottom left slot. On my 2000 LC, I have a cover where the diff lock is in the pic below):

There is some info here:
Add-on dash switches

And you can get all kinds of switches to go into the factory slots online:
(light switches): OEM Replacement LED Light Push Switch For Toyota Landcruiser Hilux Prado FJ 12V | Alexnld.com

And I found locker and compressor switches that will fit factory slots on ebay (search for "Land Cruiser locker switch" or "Land Cruiser compressor switch").

I wonder if you could use a factory "Diff Lock" switch (like the one in the pic above) and as suggested by @hoser , and wire it accordingly (no guarantee it would fit in the slot, but I have a cover over the slot where the diff lock is in the pic above):
GENUINE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER LEXUS LX450 DIFFERENTIAL LOCK SWITCH 84725-60020 OEM | eBay

Sorry I don't have pictures, but hope this helps and might give you some ideas of using the existing dash/console.

Lee

I have considered that area and that would be the obvious place for some. I am anal about fit and finish for the most part and would like to keep all switches in a row. Does anyone know if that entire black piece around those gauges pops out? I wonder if I could pop that out, make a new one, and then reorder some of the switches. I'll have to check when I pick up the Cruiser from the shop.
​

It fits and works. Many including myself have used that switch. You can also get fancy and wire up the locker indicator lights on the dash.

I very well may do this. I did only briefly look at the wiring diagram to get this done and my head was spinning. Wiring isn't a strong point of mine.

 

[saucebox]

There's like 5 parts to this article, but it looks pretty straightforward to use the factory dash indicators. Easier than staring at EWDs all day anyway.

Factory Switch to Control Air Lockers – Part 1

 

[Mike6158]

I don't have ARB lockers yet but I installed the switches anyway

 

[duvinclunk]

Nice! I wonder if the ARB's wiring harnesses for the switches would be long enough to reach up there.

 

[Mike6158]

Nice! I wonder if the ARB's wiring harnesses for the switches would be long enough to reach up there.

That's what I used. I used the Slee aux battery / ARB compressor mount and ran the ARB wiring harness inside the passenger side pillar. There's some structural webbing in the cover that the switches are mounted in. I used some end cutters and a Dremel to clean that up.

LINK to the switch bezel

Edit - I corrected the wire routing. No clue why I typed drivers side

 

[duvinclunk]

That's what I used. I used the Slee aux battery / ARB compressor mount and ran the ARB wiring harness inside the passenger side pillar. There's some structural webbing in the cover that the switches are mounted in. I used some end cutters and a Dremel to clean that up.

LINK to the switch bezel

Edit - I corrected the wire routing. No clue why I typed drivers side

Nice. I should be getting the truck back today and will look exactly where that could potentially go.

 

[I Lean]

I put two ARB switches in the factory locker-switch hole. No additional ones yet, but I think there's room for a third switch if I choose to add a rear locker, any lights or anything will need to go in the other switch blanks.

 

[bozncsurf]

@duvinclunk

I really like what @maxse01 did with his setup

Looks like you could get 6 switches in that space if you needed that many

 

[SocalLCruiser]

 

[toyotaspeed90]

To the left of the high/low shifter. It's a 6 circuit switch controller that turns on by touch (on changes from white to blue). Relay control is under the passenger seat.

 

[duvinclunk]

To the left of the high/low shifter. It's a 6 circuit switch controller that turns on by touch (on changes from white to blue). Relay control is under the passenger seat.

View attachment 1883246

Did you make that setup?

 

[toyotaspeed90]

Did you make that setup?

Nope, just installed it. The panel has what looks like a VGA cable on the back so it's pretty tight where its installed.

The "vga" cable runs to under the passenger seat. I installed a relay that supplies power with ignition to the relay box and I simply push the passenger seat forward if I want to wire a new circuit in.

Mictuning 12V/24V 6 Gang LED Switch Panel Slim Touch Control Panel Box for Car Marine Boat Caravan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DNW8RP6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ve7qCb1C3TES1

 

[duvinclunk]

I put two ARB switches in the factory locker-switch hole. No additional ones yet, but I think there's room for a third switch if I choose to add a rear locker, any lights or anything will need to go in the other switch blanks.

How did you pop out the blank there to get the switches there? Are they tight enough or do the switches have any movement?

 

[Ayune]

How did you pop out the blank there to get the switches there? Are they tight enough or do the switches have any movement?

I've been behind that area many times and the black section is not a blank panel that pops out. The switches push in from the front but the black section is part of the large lower dash panel.

The lower panel removes easily by 1) removing the black panel under the instrument cluster by pulling straight back & disconnecting the dimmer switch harness, 2) removing the filler door & hood latch releases (four screws), 3) removing the one trim screw close to the latch releases, and 4) pulling the whole panel away to release a few pressure clips. Then you'll see the harnesses connecting to the rear of the mirror/vent window/locker switches. Note: The metal shield under the trim panel has many sharp edges, be cautious.

 

[I Lean]

How did you pop out the blank there to get the switches there? Are they tight enough or do the switches have any movement?

I removed the whole panel like @Ayune detailed already, then the switch blank just pops out. I did have to open up the hole a bit to fit the switches--it's too small. So they fit plenty tight.