Can I upgrade these switches?

[Shacky4]

I posted on a year old thread, but it may make more sense to start a new one. I do not have overhead aux switches and saw the thread about adding them. BUT, I only have 4 switches on my dash so there is room for 2 more. I'm wondering if I can swap this out and pick up a couple aux switches here. Photos are from the web of what I have and what I want, with the two new switches being available for the rocket launcher I plan on installing. Anyone have any helpful information?

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[BigMeatsBronco]

I'm sure you could order the switches from ford and wire up a relay to run whatever like ARBs or lights.

 

[Daktari]

certainly an interesting idea! The little light up display would show wrong things, but might be worth investigating. (I'd just buy the full set to get rid of the empty slots, LOL)
Yes, you'd need a relay of sorts, these are not physical on/off switches like the aux switches. I'm not all that great with electronics, but if you can figure out how to wire something to them that just needs a signal to switch something on or off and figure out how to wire it to the back, might be possible.
Maybe a tech can shine some light on this, I'd guess there's a plug from the harness that plugs directly in. But if you're good with electronics or know someone that is, I don't see why not.

 

[Snappy22]

Solid idea. Gotta research the part number, and I’m sure there’s a wiring diagram in the shop manual somewhere. Then post those here and ask the brainiacs to dive into the details (and don’t forget to tell the rest of us how much $ the part number goes for if ordered from a dealer )

 

[Shacky4]

certainly an interesting idea! The little light up display would show wrong things, but might be worth investigating. (I'd just buy the full set to get rid of the empty slots, LOL)
Yes, you'd need a relay of sorts, these are not physical on/off switches like the aux switches. I'm not all that great with electronics, but if you can figure out how to wire something to them that just needs a signal to switch something on or off and figure out how to wire it to the back, might be possible.
Maybe a tech can shine some light on this, I'd guess there's a plug from the harness that plugs directly in. But if you're good with electronics or know someone that is, I don't see why not.

Looks like the OEM installed 3 switches would be correct. Just need to black out or eliminate the led for the other two. I think I could do it with enough guidance, but would definitely need some help from the smart folks here.

 

[Gabby]

Did ya ever make headway on this? I was looking at the back and it looks like 8 pins, I'm guessing power, ground and 1 pin per switch?

 

[Shacky4]

Did ya ever make headway on this? I was looking at the back and it looks like 8 pins, I'm guessing power, ground and 1 pin per switch?

No, I never did. I'm still interested.

 

[Grumpy]

It would be much easier and safer to just install a Auxbeam 8 gate switch and be done with it.

 

[Figmo]

Keep in mind you’d also need to order the full 6-switch cover as each switch does not have it’s own independent cover.

I have also considered this if I ever run out of upfitters in the future (I have one extra hole due to no SB disconnect).

My concern is that I don’t think the factory switches are ON/OFF. They are momentary type switches. e.g. just send a momentary pulse to the computer when you press them - which determines if a device needs to switch on or off depending on it’s current state.

So the trick would be to find an aftermarket on/off switch that can fit in the hole and be covered with the factory rubber switch panel cover.

 

[Riverjeep]

I was considering ordering the cover from a Badlands just to fill the whole thing up with one being a blank where the swaybar disconnect would be. My F-150 has a blank button where Ford did a start stop delete on the 22's due to a chip shortage.

 

[Gabby]

I actually wanted them for their intended purpose (redif locker) and I enjoy having things look factory that shouldn't be.

For instance a project I'm looking at is putting the 12" monitor into my Base. As far as I can tell the head units are all the same, it's just switching out the monitor & trim.

 

[Save The Manuals]

I actually wanted them for their intended purpose (redif locker) and I enjoy having things look factory that shouldn't be.

For instance a project I'm looking at is putting the 12" monitor into my Base. As far as I can tell the head units are all the same, it's just switching out the monitor & trim.

I would think the APIM would need some reprogramming

 

[Gabby]

I would think the APIM would need some reprogramming

If the switch triggers an open/close response then you should be able to pin the location, run it to a separate relay that triggers the lockers to open/close. Which should be enough to to a ABR compressor on/off.

Otherwise, yeah you'd need all the stock wiring and some computer wizardry to have it run the real stock stuff.

 

[Shacky4]

Keep in mind you’d also need to order the full 6-switch cover as each switch does not have it’s own independent cover.

I have also considered this if I ever run out of upfitters in the future (I have one extra hole due to no SB disconnect).

My concern is that I don’t think the factory switches are ON/OFF. They are momentary type switches. e.g. just send a momentary pulse to the computer when you press them - which determines if a device needs to switch on or off depending on it’s current state.

So the trick would be to find an aftermarket on/off switch that can fit in the hole and be covered with the factory rubber switch panel cover.

A momentary switch would be just fine if you used a relay. (I think.) You could install the factory switches, run a couple new wires and use a relay on each of the new runs.

 

[Save The Manuals]

If the switch triggers an open/close response then you should be able to pin the location, run it to a separate relay that triggers the lockers to open/close. Which should be enough to to a ABR compressor on/off.

Otherwise, yeah you'd need all the stock wiring and some computer wizardry to have it run the real stock stuff.

I meant for the larger infotainment screen

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