dash real estate for switches

[SheepShagger]

I mounted mine under the dash kick panel thing. Not even close to my legs/knees and I'm 6'3". Easily accessible and hidden away so they don't look like a big ugly wart on the dash.

[Gnarvan]

This is a photo update on mounting switches on the dash.

I went to the junkyard and picked up an extra ash tray for a couple of bucks to experiement on. I ground off the plastic molding points that holds the face plate onto the sliding cupholder/ashtray. I ended up breaking the junkyard prototype and used the original ashtray.


After mounting the switches and coming up with the right amount of shims to have the face plate sit close to flush with the rest of the dash this is what it looks like. I have room for 6 switches. I could have squeezed in a 7th switch but I wanted plenty of room between switches so I could fumble around in the dark and find the right one. It looks like I need to move the right end of the switch plate up a little. I may end up painting the crome screws to match the dash also.

To mount the face plate I used the stock nuts in the dash that hold the metal ashtray slider support bracket. Having this bracket gone opens up a lot more area under the dash to get at the wiring for the sterio. It's going to make it easier to run the wires through the firewall up to the front and rear of the van.

[Tapatio]

I fab'd some switch panels for my flood lights and future projects. Basic 22 guage steel plate painted with wrinkle finish paint.

[Tapatio]

Added a U-bolt to protect the compressor switch which I keep on hitting with my knee when I get into the van.