96_xj

Alright so since I switched to the 00 center consul in my 96 jeep I was shown that you can turn your ashtray into a switch center. I really like the idea but I am all about cheap and home-grown ingenuity. I had some ABS plastic laying around from when I did my air box and I got to thinking....


First I took the ash tray out (mine had no lid) and cut the bottom off so I could feed wires thru with no issues.





Then I made a template that would slide into the ashtray







Then I used a dremel to cut out.



Then I put a good helping of RTV sealant whereever it would touch the ashtray and clamped it over night so it would dry



Then I test fitted



Then I figured how I wanted everything to lay out and started drilling



and the mock up!



I ordered 3- 2 way/3 prong on-off toggle switches for the lights-3 prong is MANDATORY you can not use 2 prong.
napa part number TG6261

I ordered 1- 3 way/3 prong on-off-on to control my AC fan.
Napa part number TG6262

I will take pictures when I get everything wired up and all 4 switches in and mounted

the fan will be wired (normal operation(down)-center off-manual on(up))


with a little modification to the ashtray plastic you will be able to add up to 8 switches.

capndoodles

Wow that looks so cool!!! Looks way more James-Bondish than mine in the center console!

96_xj

so tonight i went thru and wired all of the switches (well except the 4th switch, altho all the wiring is there for it)

I know 12 gauge is a bit overkill but it is free

I went and shrink wrapped everything and made it one "harness" that i can place under the center consul.

Also everything is marked its not just a bunch of red and white wires (and one black)....


I should be getting my 4th switch tomorrow but we will see. I also want to pick up a relay for my "reverse lights" since it never had anything more than an inline fuse...

i cant wait to fill in the 4th hole....




look how nice and clean that is =]




okay yeah maybe a little over kill..

no rdplz

That looks really good. I went with the dash mount simply 'cuz my ashtray is my cell phone holder on trips. That and I know I'd be hitting those switches all the time by accident.

tannerp89

^^thats exactly what i did!

96_xj

I have the 96 Dash. I only have the 00 center consul. This is how they are mounted now(on both sides:



I am getting new plastics to replace where i drilled next time i go to the junk yard.


And thanks! i really like it so far.

Yeah it is my iTouch holder and phone holder but i have a silicon case on both to where i just set it on top it wont move anywhere

no rdplz

I got a bracket from Radio shack that attaches to the vents to hold my iTouch. It's nice having it sit up higher on the trails cuz I can use the clinometer app to see how much of a pitch/tip angle I'm at. Don't really need it to tell me if I'm about to tip, but it's cool to see just how much of an angle it is.

96_xj

so i finished up wiring the switches today. Debating on to use the on/off plates or take them off.

cut a hole to run the wires:



switches mounted up and working