Center console with switch panel

[Zeus78]

So, I always wanted to do something like this, so I gave it a go this summer. Worked on it here and there and I still have some trim I want to put on it, but it’s far enough along for me to share it here.

It has a switch panel in it that is fed by a second 'house' battery. I ran 4awg wires from the "+" and "-" to DC power and ground blocks that are mounted in the belly of the console. The switch panel is wired to those blocks and it runs front and rear off road lights, a seperate volt meter and an auxiliary electric fuel pump.
The winch is wired directly to the 2nd battery through a shutoff switch.
There is also an inline shutoff switch between the battery and the switch panel.
I really love having cupholders right there and the inverter.
I figured others might like this for their rigs. That space is wasted without it, there's not much else you can do with that space.

Thoughts?

 

[miesk5]

Yo Z,
Thanks!
We never got to doing this in our former 78.
Al

 

[NotaVegetarian]

Very nice idea, I like it. I’m deaf the PO had butchered the dash installing a crappie radio so I blanked it out and installed switches there. But this has lots more potential. Thanks for sharing.

 

[johnnyreb]

So, I always wanted to do something like this, so I gave it a go this summer. Worked on it here and there and I still have some trim I want to put on it, but it’s far enough along for me to share it here.

It has a switch panel in it that is fed by a second 'house' battery. I ran 4awg wires from the "+" and "-" to DC power and ground blocks that are mounted in the belly of the console. The switch panel is wired to those blocks and it runs front and rear off road lights, a seperate volt meter and an auxiliary electric fuel pump.
The winch is wired directly to the 2nd battery through a shutoff switch.
There is also an inline shutoff switch between the battery and the switch panel.
I really love having cupholders right there and the inverter.
I figured others might like this for their rigs. That space is wasted without it, there's not much else you can do with that space.

Thoughts?

I see you also kept the big center consol. Between the seats. Good idea.

 

[Zeus78]

Very nice idea, I like it. I’m deaf the PO had butchered the dash installing a crappie radio so I blanked it out and installed switches there. But this has lots more potential. Thanks for sharing.

I saw your switch panel in another thread, looks like it's close to the same one I used.
I thought about using the radio slot, but I think I'm going to put a bluetooth head unit in there to sync spotify, my ipod or whatever.
Plus, I knew I was going to build that console and it gave me a good place to install that switch panel

 

[NotaVegetarian]

I saw your switch panel in another thread, looks like it's close to the same one I used.
I thought about using the radio slot, but I think I'm going to put a bluetooth head unit in there to sync spotify, my ipod or whatever.
Plus, I knew I was going to build that console and it gave me a good place to install that switch panel

I like what you’ve done here. It has given me some ideas for another Bronco

 

[Zeus78]

I like what you’ve done here. It has given me some ideas for another Bronco

Next time I do this, I will give it more shape and maybe cover is with a different fabric, but I wouldn't change much else.
I think I might create and fab up my own door panels too. I'm amazed at how much people want for broken interior door panels.

 

[johnnyreb]

So, I always wanted to do something like this, so I gave it a go this summer. Worked on it here and there and I still have some trim I want to put on it, but it’s far enough along for me to share it here.

It has a switch panel in it that is fed by a second 'house' battery. I ran 4awg wires from the "+" and "-" to DC power and ground blocks that are mounted in the belly of the console. The switch panel is wired to those blocks and it runs front and rear off road lights, a seperate volt meter and an auxiliary electric fuel pump.
The winch is wired directly to the 2nd battery through a shutoff switch.
There is also an inline shutoff switch between the battery and the switch panel.
I really love having cupholders right there and the inverter.
I figured others might like this for their rigs. That space is wasted without it, there's not much else you can do with that space.

Thoughts?

If you had a bench seat in it. You could take up the space. Buy sliding you honey over. Did you put any speakers ion it?

 

[Zeus78]

If you had a bench seat in it. You could take up the space. Buy sliding you honey over. Did you put any speakers ion it?

No, I'm going to put speakers in the doors and I'm going to build wooden boxes around the wheel wells, I will bring the boxes up alongside the back bench seat and put speakers in the front sides of the boxes pointed towards the front.
I'm also going to put in a rolling drawer between the wheel well boxes for easy access to items I'll have back there.
I thought about putting speakers in the center console, but I mounted a big inverter on the passenger seat side and there is a lot of electrical wiring and components in the belly of the console, so I had to abort that idea.

 

[johnnyreb]

No, I'm going to put speakers in the doors and I'm going to build wooden boxes around the wheel wells, I will bring the boxes up alongside the back bench seat and put speakers in the front sides of the boxes pointed towards the front.
I'm also going to put in a rolling drawer between the wheel well boxes for easy access to items I'll have back there.
I thought about putting speakers in the center console, but I mounted a big inverter on the passenger seat side and there is a lot of electrical wiring and components in the belly of the console, so I had to abort that idea.

I just saw where a new member BRONCO AND PARTS GARAGE ----Has videos on broncos and he sales used parts. In case you need anything.

 

[Zeus78]

I just saw where a new member BRONCO AND PARTS GARAGE ----Has videos on broncos and he sales used parts. In case you need anything.

Hmm, I'll go check it out

 

[johnnyreb]

Hmm, I'll go check it out

Have you done any more work on the back up lights? By the drawing. You,ll knock it out fast.

 

[Zeus78]

Have you done any more work on the back up lights? By the drawing. You,ll knock it out fast.

No, gotta cut 3 acres of grass after work today, start sanding the Chevy and prepping it for paint, remove the bumpers, load up a fridge and deliver it to Lexington (an hour away) and get ready to go to Pigeon Forge tomorrow.
I'm going to have to put the reverse lights project on hold until next week.
Going camping next weekend, then going to Michigan the weekend after that.
I'm getting pulled in a lot of different directions right now my friend.

 

[johnnyreb]

No, I'm going to put speakers in the doors and I'm going to build wooden boxes around the wheel wells, I will bring the boxes up alongside the back bench seat and put speakers in the front sides of the boxes pointed towards the front.
I'm also going to put in a rolling drawer between the wheel well boxes for easy access to items I'll have back there.
I thought about putting speakers in the center console, but I mounted a big inverter on the passenger seat side and there is a lot of electrical wiring and components in the belly of the console, so I had to abort that idea.

The boot around the lever. Didn,t you have to use 2 of them.? My other 78 . I want to build a bedroom in the back. That way if I get kicked out. I,ll have a place to sleep.

 

[johnnyreb]

The boot around the lever. Didn,t you have to use 2 of them.? My other 78 . I want to build a bedroom in the back. That way if I get kicked out. I,ll have a place to sleep.

I just thought of something you might want to add to the consol. A LIGHTED SWITCH for emergency driving lights. Just in case the regular light switch goes bad .As your driving down the road. I have them on my other bronco and came in handy driving when the snow and wind is blowing a time or two.

 

[Zeus78]

Yes, there is a boot on top and one on the steel floor under the console. Double seal technically at it's finest.

 

[johnnyreb]

Yes, there is a boot on top and one on the steel floor under the console. Double seal technically at it's finest.

Did you get your back up lights working?

 

[Zeus78]

I just thought of something you might want to add to the consol. A LIGHTED SWITCH for emergency driving lights. Just in case the regular light switch goes bad .As your driving down the road. I have them on my other bronco and came in handy driving when the snow and wind is blowing a time or two.

The 3rd switch from the left operates 6" driving lights mounted on the front custom bumper. They are Hella's.
The 4th switch operates a rear bumber mounted LED light bar. I'm going to find some pics front and rear, I'm a typical guy, kinda like Clark W Griswold Jr., I like good auxilliary exterior illumination.

 

[Zeus78]

Did you get your back up lights working?

No, didn't have time to mess with it, jumped in the F450 yesterday with the wife and drove down to Pigeon Forge. It'll be a few weeks before I can get back into it.

 

[johnnyreb]

No, didn't have time to mess with it, jumped in the F450 yesterday with the wife and drove down to Pigeon Forge. It'll be a few weeks before I can get back into