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ARB air locker switch installation question for ARB owners.

Desert Rat

Desert Rat

Fetch the comfy chair
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I finally got around to installing my ARB compressor and running the wiring for the switches. I am nearly done but low and behold, there is no switch plate included in the parts. Apparently I have to order or fabricate a switch plate to accomodate the compressor and locker switches. So, here is my question, how did you other ARB owners mount your switches and switch plates? And, I am thinking I could order the triple switch plate along with one of the ARB fog light switches and then just use the fog light switch when I buy whatever set of lights I go with later.
 
I've run the harness underneath the carpet to the stock console.
I've reinforced the console with thin stainless sheets inside and out.
I've taken a plastic box from the home electrical section at the hardware store, cut two rectangles out of one side of the box so the ARB switches could snap in there, cut a hole for the harness through the opposite side, and painted the box black. Bolted that box to the front of the console, ran the harness up from the carpet, through the hole in the underside of the box, connected the switches, and popped them in the cutouts. The switches are about level with the bottom of the stock ('85) cupholder, on the front of the console. That was 6 years and many trails ago, and it turned out to be a very convenient location.
 
I don't have any carpet anymore so I would have to go in the tranny tunnel or under the rig somehow. My interior is all Line-X. I have a Tuffy center console but it has cup holders front and rear. I think I am stuck with putting it on the dash somewhere. What did you use to cut out the rectangles on the box?
 
I think the ARB is a Contura rocker switch, I got the bases from Waytec and made a panal where an old A/C duct was.

Switchplate_1.jpg

Switchplate_2.jpg
 
Desert Rat said:
I don't have any carpet anymore so I would have to go in the tranny tunnel or under the rig somehow. My interior is all Line-X. I have a Tuffy center console but it has cup holders front and rear. I think I am stuck with putting it on the dash somewhere. What did you use to cut out the rectangles on the box?
Click to expand...

Sharpie and a dremel... interior bootiefab at it's finest, I guess I could have cut the bolts short, but didn't feel like it back then, and hadn't found a reason to do it since then...

There are just two switches because my compressor is IGN on, controlled by the pressure switch at the air tank. I suppose I could mark which switch is for the front locker, though...:D
 
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I'm thinking I may have found a good enough excuse to buy a Dremel. I have one of those rotozip tools, but the body is so big it is hard to manage.
 
JDNobodi said:
I think the ARB is a Contura rocker switch, I got the bases from Waytec and made a panal where an old A/C duct was.
Click to expand...

The pics I saw on some of the website do not show a piece of plastic in between each hole, just one big hole. I'll have to check ou the Waytec ones. Were they the exact size for the ARB switches?
 
Dremel a couple of spots out of the dash piece under the sterring column. I put my rock light switch under there.

or add some bling Not cheap, but I've got the dual battery and winch control set up in my ashtray. Although I'm thinking of moving closer to the driver side.
 
I was thinking of pulling that piece off and installing a panel that would stick out of the bottom of that piece. It doesn't seem large enough to accomodate three switches. Pics?
 
I have seen pics of the switches installed in the flip down ash tray. I like that idea. Just pull the ash tray and lighter and cut the opening, but leave enough material to fasten a cover plate. Wish I could find the pics.
 
Desert Rat said:
The pics I saw on some of the website do not show a piece of plastic in between each hole, just one big hole. I'll have to check ou the Waytec ones. Were they the exact size for the ARB switches?
Click to expand...
I said I think the ARB is a Contura, I'm not 100% sure. It seems the switch are made to fit most switch openings in most late model cars.
Here is the dimensions for a Contura.
Edit-go to page 52 in the link below.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/waytek/catalog/

Here are the panals.
Edit-go to page 54 in the link below.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/waytek/catalog/
 
Ive got the arm switch plate and it's just one big hole for all three switches. I haven't mounted it anywhere yet though.
 
JDNobodi said:
I said I think the ARB is a Contura, I'm not 100% sure. It seems the switch are made to fit most switch openings in most late model cars.
Here is the dimensions for a Contura.
Edit-go to page 52 in the link below.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/waytek/catalog/

Here are the panals.
Edit-go to page 54 in the link below.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/waytek/catalog/
Click to expand...

Great catalog, I saved a copy. I ended up fabbing up my own. I bought some metal plate, cut a piece about 8"x8", bent the end so I could mount it angled, and ended up putting it under the steering column. It gave me an excuse to buy a Dremel and it turned out pretty good. I am headed out wheeling shortly, I'll post up some pics when I get back.
 
Pull out the ash tray in the middle of the dash pull down thing . Replace with a piece of plastic or metal ,and mount switches.
 
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