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Old 03-10-2015, 10:34 AM   #1
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Factory dash switches

So, just back from a week in PR with the whole family.. and the E series is well represented there.

I was in one taxi van, and noticed these switches in the dash.. Clearly factory, but I've never seen them in the states. If you could get the dash piece and switches here, it would be a super clean install for driving lights. etc..


(sorry, bad cell phone picture in moving van)

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Old 03-10-2015, 05:56 PM   #2
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Re: Factory dash switches

See the dash pic in the CL ad in the link below. I've never seen them before.

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=15623&p=149693#p149693


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Old 03-10-2015, 06:09 PM   #3
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Re: Factory dash switches

The picture that you posted is exactly the same as my dash.....the upper left button is RSC, I can't remember what the upper right button is at the moment (ABS maybe?), and the two vertical things are cig lighter and aux 12V cig lighter power. The two 12V outlets are in the worst possible place on the dash....very easy to break off whatever is plugged in when putting the van in drive.

I can't imagine how that got by the usability/human factors dept at Ford.....seriously...


I have a 2008 E350....the last year of the old style dash.....
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Old 03-10-2015, 06:53 PM   #4
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Re: Factory dash switches

Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder
The picture that you posted is exactly the same as my dash.....the upper left button is RSC, I can't remember what the upper right button is at the moment (ABS maybe?), and the two vertical things are cig lighter and aux 12V cig lighter power. The two 12V outlets are in the worst possible place on the dash....very easy to break off whatever is plugged in when putting the van in drive.

I can't imagine how that got by the usability/human factors dept at Ford.....seriously...


I have a 2008 E350....the last year of the old style dash.....
Interesting... So it is available here.
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Old 03-10-2015, 07:48 PM   #5
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Re: Factory dash switches

Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam


Interesting... So it is available here.
Yup. Standard setup on all RSC-equipped vans (I think the 2nd button is Traction control?).
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Old 03-10-2015, 10:29 PM   #6
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Re: Factory dash switches

CarringB: I'm sure that you are correct......traction control.....

This thread gave me an interesting thought........I wonder if the factory switches above the cig lighters will fit in the holes for the cigarette lighters?

Highly unlikely, but that would solve a couple of nagging issues right around the steering column....pop out the useless 12V power outlets and replace with factory switches. The markings on the duplicate RSC and traction control switches could be removed with a bit of solvent...use these switches for other stuff.

I camped in my van over the weekend, and one of the small jobs that is on the top of my list is to add another 12V power outlet on the dash away from the PRNDL lever.....
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Old 03-11-2015, 04:23 AM   #7
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Re: Factory dash switches

Quote:
Originally Posted by boywonder


I have a 2008 E350....the last year of the old style dash.....
This being true its very, very likely the entire trim panel covering the instrument cluster all the way to just right of the radio could be swapped up on any E-Series back to '97.

Not sure the brand new cost or how readily available they'd be used but those extra switch locations could be useful for a lot of different devices.
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Old 03-11-2015, 06:11 AM   #8
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Re: Factory dash switches

I've always marveled at the strange and useless layout of the Ford van dash. All that real estate and yet good for nothing. No flat spots to mount anything really, and very odd placement for the 12v plugs, etc. Also, not even a tray built in to the top of the dash, just miles of useless unlevel plastic. Though it's not much better, I like the layout of the 96 back dashes, but the console of these earlier vans is much worse. Sorry to say that Chevy wins by far on dash layout, and of course when I look at anything European or Japanese these days and see all the useful cutouts and bins for things we actually use like water bottles it just frustrates me even more.

OK, I'm done.
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Old 03-11-2015, 08:20 AM   #9
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Re: Factory dash switches

....at least the 12V power outlet(s) are reasonably located in the 2009+ dash.....and not prone to getting broken off every time you put it in drive.
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Old 03-11-2015, 10:58 AM   #10
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Re: Factory dash switches

I've never once even bumped any of my cig lighter devices.

That said... I've had my dash apart a few times, and on the right corner of the dash, next the stereo, there is already a cutout in the dash panel to accommodate another cig lighter! At least on mine, it's even prewired! I'm guessing it was suppose to to be an extra power point, but got nixed by the accountants.
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