Replaced blank-off with recessed switch plate (and miniature rocker switch)

First Post so here goes...

 

Something similar may have been mentioned in another thread and was lightly touched on here... http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=185904 but didn't want to bump up an old thread and thought I'd share.

 

I wanted to install a rocker switch that wasn't hidden, but had somewhat of an OEM look. Decided that the best location would be the blank off next to the mirror adjustment joystick by the drivers knee. The smallest rocker switch I could find at the time that fit in the hole was 3/4"x1/2" (and that just barely fit). I made a model of the part in solidworks and then had it made with a 3D printer.

 

It fit both the switch and the dash assembly great!

 

I uploaded my design to shapeways so that others can do the same thing if they want. http://www.shapeways.com/model/752188/switch-plate-for-4th-gen-legacy-larger.html

Provided I checked all the right boxes, anyone should be able to either download the solid model or purchase directly from shapeways.

 

In theory it should work in any model with the same switch assembly.

 

I printed mine in white and then sanded a little and painted a flatish black. Pictures....

http://images1.sw-cdn.net/model/picture/674x501_752188_623038_1351183492.jpg

http://images1.sw-cdn.net/model/picture/674x501_752188_623037_1351183490.jpg

http://images1.sw-cdn.net/model/picture/674x501_752188_623063_1351184922.jpg

 

I also created a version for an even smaller switch which should fit the contours better (but have not tried it).

http://www.shapeways.com/model/752189/switch-plate-for-4th-gen-legacy-smaller.html

http://images1.sw-cdn.net/model/picture/674x501_752189_623067_1351184938.jpg

 

 

**** EDIT ****

Apparently Shapeways no longer allows you to download files from owners. Here are the STLs for the same models that are hosted on Shapeways.

small: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B954TKWEv_QjNnBKaW5URXNTdGs

large: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B954TKWEv_QjQWFDVjFzSFBhSnc

What does this operate? looks very good !

Thats pretty cool if it were production a lot of people would like it. I know I would use it for a I/C spray switch.

What does this operate? looks very good !

Nothing too fancy, just some auxiliary lighting, but I could easily change it's function in the future.

 

Thats pretty cool if it were production a lot of people would like it. I know I would use it for a I/C spray switch.

That's part of the reason I hosted it on shapeways. If anyone really wants one they should be able to pick up one for ~$8 plus shipping and tax. (Or download the STL file and find a friend with access to a 3D printer) I will admit I've never purchased through shapeways.

 

The actual switch I used is an old version of the 62116421-0-0-N Carling switch. Momentary and illuminated versions are probably available. Digikey has a ton of different types for under $2

 

I actually made two of the switch plates (in case I broke one of them), but of course only used one. Akuma, since you expressed interest, you can have the other if you like (see picture). The only "issue" with this first revision is that corners on the right side that push through the housing weren't rounded enough so I had to file them down a bit. Of course I had already painted them. I did fix this corner radius issue on the versions uploaded to shapeways.

@CMCook Nice job looks clean!

 

I have been searching for a thread on this topic. I have some aux lighting I just mounted and wired, but I also would like to use the "blanks", or the empty spaces under the mirror control that are already wired in.

 

Does anyone know what those are for, if they can be used for this purpose? And if so, where to find a switch to fit this properly?

 

Haha sorry, lots of questions!

For you question iamdkonz

 

Switch plate"

Light Dimmer Headlight up/down adjustment

 

Heated wiper area, Power Folding Mirror, Traction control

 

some JDM models.

Heated wiper area, ECO button, Power Folding Mirror

iamdkonz, I had the same thought. Perhaps find a switch to fit into the unused dimpled square between the heated wiper and traction control switches. However after I took the switch unit out of the dash I saw that all three lower switch areas were all one piece.

 

I didn't feel like trying to take it out (and probably breaking it in the process) and then drill some sort of hole in the middle only to find out I couldn't get it to work. Plus I'd have to trace the internal connections to the harness on the back and start disassembling , which I really didn't feel like getting into.

 

In my search for appropriate switches I came across some square ones (though I can't remember where:icon_frow) that would have been a really close fit for the middle "blank". I'll see if I can relocate and share.

 

Oh and anyone who is wondering where the pictures from the original post are, looks like the shapeways servers are down due to the hurricane and flooding in NYC, hopefully they'll be back online in a few days.

would this rocker switch work?

 

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SRB22A2BBBNN/CH758-ND/446024

would this rocker switch work?

 

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SRB22A2BBBNN/CH758-ND/446024

 

Should work now... I just updated the model to have a .760x.508 switch opening. The prior version was a .740x.500 switch opening. Could have worked, but would require some filing to open it up. The new .760 x .508 should be more compatible with similar switches as well.

 

I still have my other duplicate prototype that I never ended up using. Would you like it? It's just sitting in a box in my garage.

Sure. What size rocker switch does it take? Or does it already have one?

 

Thanks

bomber, sorry for the delay, Thanksgiving...

 

I have 2 spare .75"x.5" switches laying around. They should both fit fine. Maybe a little on the tight side, but that's how I wanted it for my application. One is all black and complete blank of any symbols. The other is black with the O and - symbols and has the top side of the rocker colored red so it shows red when switched on. I'll dig them out of the garage and PM you the specifics. I'd just ask you cover the cost of shipping.

bomber, I think you should have received it by now. Let me know how it turns out.

I bought one of these things via shapeways when this thread first appeared, and finally got around to installing it last night. I had mine printed in powder, hoping it would match the factory dash a little better than shiny filament... the matte finish ain't bad, but the color is still way too black. Not going to lose any sleep over it though.

 

If anyone else is looking for a switch, NTE part number 54-080 is a rocker switch that'ss actually made by Carling, and it fits the opening of the larger piece. It's translucent red and lighted, which might be fun depending on what you're controlling. (I'm using mine to for the ECU's reflash connectors, so the light isn't hooked up.) I found this switch at an electronics shop but I think I've seen NTE switches at car places too.

 

I kept the missing blank bits in the bottom part of the panel for further study... I kinda want to see if I can do something useful with that space, but I'm not sure what.