Switch Panel vs Stock Switches 200 Series (1 Viewer)

[Valgrind]

Originally, I wanted to not do any kind of switch panel in my 200 series just for the looks. I currently have my ditch lights hooked up to a switch in a blank stock location and love it, but I want to add a bunch of lights and I don't really want a rats nest of relays and fuses... I also don't really want to fish ten wires through the firewall.

If you have a switch panel installed, where did you put it? I like to keep the stock interior look. Any ideas where to hide a switch panel if I had one that used a remote or app controlled?

 

[hoser]

It's stealthy but not line of sight from the driving seat.

'08-21 200 Series Land Cruiser SDHQ Built Switch Pros OEM Replacement Keypad Mount

SDHQ Built Switch-Pros SP-9100 Keypad Panel Mount for the 2008-2021 200 Series Toyota Land Cruiser allows you to mount the keypad component of your Switch Pros

sdhqoffroad.com

 

[TheComedian]

I just welded some aluminum, put some heavy switches into it and then taped it on top of my head unit because I was too lazy to cut it out nicely (maybe something for winter, I don’t know….)

Works like a charm and I like those heavy switches

 

[Polecat]

How about this?

SLEE - Sunglass Holder Mounting Bracket - Switch Pros 9100 - Fits '08 - '21 Land Cruiser / LX 570 - Slee Off Road

Mounts in Sunglass holder Requires drilling of mounting holes in holder and bracket Angled bracket maximizes viewing angle of Switch-Pros

sleeoffroad.com

 

[Valgrind]

It's stealthy but not line of sight from the driving seat.

'08-21 200 Series Land Cruiser SDHQ Built Switch Pros OEM Replacement Keypad Mount

SDHQ Built Switch-Pros SP-9100 Keypad Panel Mount for the 2008-2021 200 Series Toyota Land Cruiser allows you to mount the keypad component of your Switch Pros

sdhqoffroad.com

Always liked this but had a hard time wanting to pay the switch pros premium.

 

[Valgrind]

How about this?

View attachment 3771299

SLEE - Sunglass Holder Mounting Bracket - Switch Pros 9100 - Fits '08 - '21 Land Cruiser / LX 570 - Slee Off Road

Mounts in Sunglass holder Requires drilling of mounting holes in holder and bracket Angled bracket maximizes viewing angle of Switch-Pros

sleeoffroad.com

Oh wow now this is cool! I've seen the 3d printed version for GX460s but this is awesome! I think it could probably be modified for any brand.

 

[TeCKis300]

I'd agreed that an aftermarket switching solution is desirable if installing more gear to avoid the rats nest, but also better management including logic to switch with/without ignition, and important things like low voltage protection.

In regards to placement, I'm in the camp that it should be line of sight visible. All too often with external lights, lockers, and things, there's no other indication of things being on. The switcher is effectively the dash/status display. When it's hidden, it's all too easy to forget and leave things on like lockers or chase lights in while getting back on to public roads for example.

 

[Valgrind]

I'd agreed that an aftermarket switching solution is desirable if installing more gear to avoid the rats nest, but also better management including logic to switch with/without ignition, and important things like low voltage protection.

In regards to placement, I'm in the camp that it should be line of sight visible. All too often with external lights, lockers, and things, there's no other indication of things being on. The switcher is effectively the dash/status display. When it's hidden, it's all too easy to forget and leave things on like lockers or chase lights in while getting back on to public roads for example.

This is a good point, my ditch lights are technically road legal so I'll turn them on for really dark roads. Def need to be able to get at them quickly.

 

[Valgrind]

I just welded some aluminum, put some heavy switches into it and then taped it on top of my head unit because I was too lazy to cut it out nicely (maybe something for winter, I don’t know….)

Works like a charm and I like those heavy switches
View attachment 3771178

This is super cool. Btw how did you change the head unit with the ac controls?

 

[HSTexan]

I have the Slee dash mount bracket and really like it; keeps it out of the way, but a quick glance down I can see if I left anything on or not.

 

[SammyNicotine]

I made this awhile back for the auxbeam panel if you're interested...

Auxbeam 8 switch panel - 3d printed sunglasses holder insert

First time poster. Got my 2008 LC back in November in the Dallas area. Probably started reading mud a good year before I got a hold of one, and for better or worse, probably wouldn't have jumped in if it wasn't for all the amazing info here. I'm having a lot of fun with it and wow, what a...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[TheComedian]

This is super cool. Btw how did you change the head unit with the ac controls?

My 200 is a GX trim and only had a radio/cd deck with a one row display (like the 70 series at that time) so no head unit with ac controls. Has a own ac panel.
I think the AC unit and the head unit merged together with the facelift right?

So I can put in whatever 2-din radio I want and only needed a trim panel with a slightly bigger cutout you can get from ebay for arounf $30. (the small switch is ma rear view camera….)

 

[Gazziza]

How about this?

View attachment 3771299

SLEE - Sunglass Holder Mounting Bracket - Switch Pros 9100 - Fits '08 - '21 Land Cruiser / LX 570 - Slee Off Road

Mounts in Sunglass holder Requires drilling of mounting holes in holder and bracket Angled bracket maximizes viewing angle of Switch-Pros

sleeoffroad.com

As someone who wears glasses (both sun and regular) I personally don't that location for a switch holder. There isn't much storage room in the LC as it is and now you take away the only spot dedicated for sunglasses. Plus it is a two step process to switch it on and is still out of line of sight.

 

[Valgrind]

My 200 is a GX trim and only had a radio/cd deck with a one row display (like the 70 series at that time) so no head unit with ac controls. Has a own ac panel.
I think the AC unit and the head unit merged together with the facelift right?

So I can put in whatever 2-din radio I want and only needed a trim panel with a slightly bigger cutout you can get from ebay for arounf $30. (the small switch is ma rear view camera….)
View attachment 3771639

Ah that is nice. The first gen 200 US spec ones have it integrated into the screen, like the 100 series as well. I think the facelift have it all separated.

 

[Valgrind]

I made this awhile back for the auxbeam panel if you're interested...

Auxbeam 8 switch panel - 3d printed sunglasses holder insert

First time poster. Got my 2008 LC back in November in the Dallas area. Probably started reading mud a good year before I got a hold of one, and for better or worse, probably wouldn't have jumped in if it wasn't for all the amazing info here. I'm having a lot of fun with it and wow, what a...

forum.ih8mud.com

Oh Idk why I was confused. I thought someone made this for the GX not the 200, this is really cool.

 

[Polecat]

As someone who wears glasses (both sun and regular) I personally don't that location for a switch holder. There isn't much storage room in the LC as it is and now you take away the only spot dedicated for sunglasses. Plus it is a two step process to switch it on and is still out of line of sight.

Yup. I keep a pair of sunglasses in mine too. But the OP asked for something that keeps the original stock look. The glasses holder seems to be the best place to meet that requirement.

 

[Valgrind]

Yup. I keep a pair of sunglasses in mine too. But the OP asked for something that keeps the original stock look. The glasses holder seems to be the best place to meet that requirement.

I am split on it now, I see the disadvantage of having it too hard to reach.

 

[Gazziza]

Another option is a Garmin Power Switch. There is not hardwired screen so you don't need to fish wires through the fire wall. Everything is controlled wirelessly through BT. You can use their app on your phone, ipad or one of their screen GPS units.

Garmin PowerSwitch™ | Compact Digital Switch Box

Garmin PowerSwitch is the digital switch box that offers control of your off-road vehicle’s 12-volt accessories from a compatible Garmin navigator or smartphone.

www.garmin.com

 

[Valgrind]

Another option is a Garmin Power Switch. There is not hardwired screen so you don't need to fish wires through the fire wall. Everything is controlled wirelessly through BT. You can use their app on your phone, ipad or one of their screen GPS units.

Garmin PowerSwitch™ | Compact Digital Switch Box

Garmin PowerSwitch is the digital switch box that offers control of your off-road vehicle’s 12-volt accessories from a compatible Garmin navigator or smartphone.

www.garmin.com

This is super cool. Is the app reliable?

 

[Gazziza]

This is super cool. Is the app reliable?

I have no personal experience with it. From what I understand a lot of folks in the 4R and Tacoma community have used it over the past 1-2 years and have been happy with it. As well AT Overland uses it for the flatbed campers and Boreas Campers uses it for their trailers. Seems to be a pretty robust unit and I intend to put it in my LC and camper.