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Adding Switch to Factory Switch Panel

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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 12:17 PM
  #1  
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Default Adding Switch to Factory Switch Panel

I'm curious if anyone has wired aftermarket floods to the factory switch panel on the center console? I'm looking for a factory look and i have two blank positions. please post any links or experiences thanks in advance
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by DougHefernan
I'm curious if anyone has wired aftermarket floods to the factory switch panel on the center console? I'm looking for a factory look and i have two blank positions. please post any links or experiences thanks in advance
I talked to the Dealership and they would order me a rubicon switch panel so I could wire my ARB, Air and extra lights into the factory switches. I have not done this but I figured that would work to add these to my Sahara. It seems like it was very cheap. I dont remember how much he quoted. maybe that would work for your situation.
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 02:44 PM
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the panel is a complete unit and wired as a unit meaning it isn't modular but all integrated together.
not saying it can't be done, where there is a will there is a wway but if i were u i would want to have a spare unit available.
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 03:11 PM
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Default I think you need to tap into the canbus out of the switch panel

The switch panel only has 4 wires IIRC coming out maybe 5. Of course you are thinking how is it possible to control a bunch of switches/lights with 4 wires? Well I believe it's a canbus device (as mentioned above) you have 5v, ground, and 2 data wires (in & out) IIRC. It is a complete "mini computer". If you can figure out how to tap the canbus data lines etc... keep us posted!
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 03:26 PM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by red5
The switch panel only has 4 wires IIRC coming out maybe 5. Of course you are thinking how is it possible to control a bunch of switches/lights with 4 wires? Well I believe it's a canbus device (as mentioned above) you have 5v, ground, and 2 data wires (in & out) IIRC. It is a complete "mini computer". If you can figure out how to tap the canbus data lines etc... keep us posted!
This is correct. I actually disassembled my switch bank to see if it could be done. After opening it up, I quickly put it back to gether and wired in some switches in the panel just below. There is a circuit board that runs the entire length of the switch panel. It was WAY above my ability to modify. I don't see why someone couldn't reverse-engineer that circuit board and design a new one that could use additional switches, but it probably would not be cost effective considering the amount of time it would take, and how little proffit there would be in the new product. Good luck.
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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 08:28 AM
  #6  
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This is good info. I assumed that i could just wire into the new switches. I forget how complicated some of these things can get. If anyone goes farther into this please post up. Thanks.
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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This guy did it for heated seats.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...t=switch+panel
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 04:43 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by flamingred1983
nice find I'm actually impressed as hell there is enough room in there for an aftermarket switch
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 04:48 PM
  #9  
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I got the Daystar lower switch panel and switches, it was a easy install, fits great and I ran my own wires for lights. You have to be careful tapping in to some of the factory wiring because of the body control module.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 10:53 AM
  #10  
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Another place to put additional switches is the lower dash panel to the left of the steering wheel. Above the speaker. It's easy access to the back from the removable panel on the end of the dash (facing the driver's door) This is where the Jeep aux light switch goes when following their instructions. The only downside is that passengers cant reach it. I installed a few rocker switches there to control lights and its working well.
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