Finally tackled this project. It was a bit more time consuming than I anticipated, but got it done with the help of this video. I now have a light bar, ditch lights and reverse lights on toggles along with USB charging ports on both the driver and pass. side. Many thanks!
Working on it! Unfortunately I'm filming and uploading the series in real time, and free time is quite limited lately. Should have the next episode finished up by the end of next week. Thanks for staying tuned!
I have wanted to do this mod to my TJ for many years but have never found an extra switch panel section to cut up and install. I did install a double DIN Kenwood infotainment/GPS system by taking the stock 1.5 DIN (junk) radio out and modding the interior to make room, and fab'ing some metal brackets to secure the radio to the dash frame. It was pretty simple just took time to measure many times, and cut once!
Cool, I've seen some premade TJ double din bezels but they don't seem to be too cheap. Always nice to save a few bucks and have the accomplishment of doing it yourself!
This was a great one, I was thinking of this but finding the part may be the challenge , I love the fact that you worked it all out for me , it will make it so easy for me now!
I'd check eBay for the part or see if you can find someone on Craigslist parting out a Jeep. I can't take the credit, I got this idea from jeepforum.com!
As a smoker, I miss the days when all vehicles came with a nice convenient ashtray/lighter combo unit straight from the factory. This just felt like a desecration. No lie, it hurt just a little seeing you do this. Turned out good for a modern non smoker's car though. Good job on the modification.
Looks awesome I’m looking forward to doing it to mine soon. I have two questions; what kind of radio is that, and do you have any little switch’s to fit the bezel for sale?
Thanks, good luck! Thats a special Simon & Garfunkel radio, it only plays the Sound of Silence (its a blank plastic plate). I bought some OEM lookalike switches on ebay to install in these slots, it think the seller was called Gold Coast Distributing
@Dirona, first of all, GREAT DIY video! This is exactly what I was looking for to do to my TJ. Question, did you install any fastener in the lower part of the bezel? There was the one screw that went through it behind the astray, but obviously that was removed. Again, great video and I'm going to view the rest of this series to get ideas for my rig.
@@dironaa cool thanks for the tips and great videos ! would you be able to tell me the distance from the switch panel to the hvac ? i am trying to end up with 2 12 volt outlets and a dual usb outlet. i bought an extra switch panel for $16 on ebay. good deal since it had a few cig lighters burns on the right side (just next to the outlet where someone missed the outlet)... i cut into the flat part to the right of the outlet (where the burn marks were) and installed a rectangular dual usb port.
@@dironaa for anyone wondering, YES I made the blue sea outlet fit :) and I also installed a blue sea rectangular dual usb outlets just next the other blue sea power outlet What is the extra plug for wire behind the panel for ?
I Only watch for tips! However, to help on How much Time is needed: I personally take my time to make it as pleasing in so far as OEM look goes. Just take your time folks!
You can buy aftermarket switches on eBay that fit right into the factory slots. A cheaper option is to buy Carling Contura switches from OTRATTW.com but the will require some minor filing to make them fit.
This Jeep is a 'California Special', the lowest of the base models. It came from the factory without a radio and without a back seat. Original owner didn't want a radio because she lived in San Francisco and didn't want it to get stolen, and in California if your vehicle came from the factory with only 2 seat belts (no back seat) you can drive in the HOV/carpool lane with only one passenger.
6 giant LED light bars right on top of the windshield LOL. In the foreseeable future they should turn into some lighting and onboard air switches, but beyond that not sure yet. One thing I do know for sure is that by the end of this build, 6 switch locations isn't going to be enough
I’ve put a 03 bezel in a 97 so I assume the opposite will work too but you might need a different radio, 03-06 radio corners were more rounded than pre 03
Finally tackled this project. It was a bit more time consuming than I anticipated, but got it done with the help of this video. I now have a light bar, ditch lights and reverse lights on toggles along with USB charging ports on both the driver and pass. side. Many thanks!
This series needs more views. Thank you for the consistency and uploads. Hope to see this thing built up and in person one day!
Thanks, I agree! Feel free to share with anyone or any groups who you think may enjoy it
Real nice job, perfect fit! Thanks for taking the time.
Thanks!
Working on my switch panel tonight and am referencing this like crazy because of your clean work. We need more TJ content!
Cool! Plenty more TJ content to come after I finish a few house projects!
Four people didn't like this video. That's stupid it was a great video. I found it to be detailed and informative.
Thank you!
upload another soon please. this is my favorite series on youtube
Working on it! Unfortunately I'm filming and uploading the series in real time, and free time is quite limited lately. Should have the next episode finished up by the end of next week. Thanks for staying tuned!
Love this idea. I got two parts jeeps so going to do this
One of my favorite mods so far!
I have wanted to do this mod to my TJ for many years but have never found an extra switch panel section to cut up and install. I did install a double DIN Kenwood infotainment/GPS system by taking the stock 1.5 DIN (junk) radio out and modding the interior to make room, and fab'ing some metal brackets to secure the radio to the dash frame. It was pretty simple just took time to measure many times, and cut once!
Cool, I've seen some premade TJ double din bezels but they don't seem to be too cheap. Always nice to save a few bucks and have the accomplishment of doing it yourself!
This was a great one, I was thinking of this but finding the part may be the challenge , I love the fact that you worked it all out for me , it will make it so easy for me now!
I'd check eBay for the part or see if you can find someone on Craigslist parting out a Jeep. I can't take the credit, I got this idea from jeepforum.com!
Thank you for a detailed procedure. I was able to do this to my TJ and add an additional 3 switch positions. Great job!
Where did you find another panel to use?
@@macdannelly2807 E-Bay from a wrecking yard.
You're welcome! Very useful mod!
Its like the HD off road Chris Fix hands version 🤣 keep it up
Thanks! Will do!
As a smoker, I miss the days when all vehicles came with a nice convenient ashtray/lighter combo unit straight from the factory. This just felt like a desecration. No lie, it hurt just a little seeing you do this. Turned out good for a modern non smoker's car though. Good job on the modification.
Mine usually ends up as a coin tray that fills up but never gets used, but even coins are becoming less used these days. Thanks anyway LOL
Looks factory fresh to me! Nice job! Going to do the same mod to my tj. I'm going with a second power outlet though, likely 1 12 volt and 1 usb .
Thanks! Sounds like a good plan.
Nice idea
Thanks!
Looks awesome I’m looking forward to doing it to mine soon. I have two questions; what kind of radio is that, and do you have any little switch’s to fit the bezel for sale?
Thanks, good luck! Thats a special Simon & Garfunkel radio, it only plays the Sound of Silence (its a blank plastic plate). I bought some OEM lookalike switches on ebay to install in these slots, it think the seller was called Gold Coast Distributing
You should put a voltmeter in the 12v socket
Patrick Reid - but, isn't there a volt meter on the gauge cluster...
@Dirona, first of all, GREAT DIY video! This is exactly what I was looking for to do to my TJ. Question, did you install any fastener in the lower part of the bezel? There was the one screw that went through it behind the astray, but obviously that was removed. Again, great video and I'm going to view the rest of this series to get ideas for my rig.
No I didn't. The bezels that came on 03+ TJs did not have that screw so I felt comfortable eliminating it.
Good job. Looks great.
Thank you!
Nice.
Very happy with the result!
That looks really good. I like it
Thanks! Much more organized than mounting switches in different places around the dash.
You removed the Jeep's built in trash can, haha!
In my case a good thing because I never seem to empty it!
Awesome!
Agreed! LOL
You. Are. An. F’ing. Genius. Thanks for the video.
Can’t take credit, I read about doing this on jeepforum.com many years ago. But thanks!
My 03 has dual power outlets, and no Ashtray. There is a blank out panel there.
03-06 had a better dash setup from the factory. I did consider installing one of the 03-06 panels instead of doing this mod
I’ll have to do this to mine!
Well worth the effort!
badass wish i was that handy to try that lol
also, thats a nice headunit man!
Lol! Anything possible with a few tools and enough patience!
has anyone managed to fit a second 12 volt outlet into this panel ?
i want to do this, but mainly for a second power outlet or some usb outlets...
Ive seen it done, you'll need to ship around for a low profile outlet though
@@dironaa cool thanks for the tips and great videos !
would you be able to tell me the distance from the switch panel to the hvac ?
i am trying to end up with 2 12 volt outlets and a dual usb outlet. i bought an extra switch panel for $16 on ebay. good deal since it had a few cig lighters burns on the right side (just next to the outlet where someone missed the outlet)... i cut into the flat part to the right of the outlet (where the burn marks were) and installed a rectangular dual usb port.
@@dironaa for anyone wondering, YES I made the blue sea outlet fit :) and I also installed a blue sea rectangular dual usb outlets just next the other blue sea power outlet
What is the extra plug for wire behind the panel for ?
I Only watch for tips! However, to help on How much Time is needed: I personally take my time to make it as pleasing in so far as OEM look goes. Just take your time folks!
That's the best way to do it!
Does it no longer use a bottle screw on the main bezel?
No more bottom screw. 03+ TJs didn't have bottom screw either so I figure it's fine.
Hiw did you drill the holes to bolt the panels together?
Drill one panel first, butt them together and transfer the hole locations with a marker, then separate them again and drill the other panel.
🤣 i needed probably 5-6 oversized washers ....i got 100 pieces for $13 on Amazon
LOL good deal!
Did you ever upgrade did your rocker switches ? Can I have the ones you made
Still a work in progress!
were you able to use after market switches in the blanks?
You can buy aftermarket switches on eBay that fit right into the factory slots. A cheaper option is to buy Carling Contura switches from OTRATTW.com but the will require some minor filing to make them fit.
can you just tap into the existing lighter wiring and attach a second 12V (USB) connection? without worrying about anything else ?
In theory yes
Were you get the outher switch panel
I think I bought it from a local salvage yard, but you should be able to find one on ebay.
Where did you get the rocker panel at can't seem to find an exact one like that
I bought it at a local salvage yard but you should be able to find one on eBay
@@dironaa okay thanks and also is it possible to have both of the 12 volts run at the same time. That's my major deal breaker
I need a switch! Who has them?
Just curious, where’s the radio?
This Jeep is a 'California Special', the lowest of the base models. It came from the factory without a radio and without a back seat. Original owner didn't want a radio because she lived in San Francisco and didn't want it to get stolen, and in California if your vehicle came from the factory with only 2 seat belts (no back seat) you can drive in the HOV/carpool lane with only one passenger.
Awesome! My stereo is out also. I put our switches in the stereo blank.
That's the backup plan if we run out of room in the switch panels down below! Would be a great spot for a couple gauges too
Wow Thts sweet I love figuring out about all the little weird things jeep did especially during tj days. Good luck!
Nicely done! What you gonna do with all the extra switches?
~Magnum
6 giant LED light bars right on top of the windshield LOL. In the foreseeable future they should turn into some lighting and onboard air switches, but beyond that not sure yet. One thing I do know for sure is that by the end of this build, 6 switch locations isn't going to be enough
Lol, can’t wait to see what you do! 👍🏻
Is there a good switch that fits in the panel
Check out otrattw.com
Does anyone know if I can switch the dash bezel from a 97-02 into a 03-06 and do the same? I want to add switches but want the factory look.
I’ve put a 03 bezel in a 97 so I assume the opposite will work too but you might need a different radio, 03-06 radio corners were more rounded than pre 03