What is this?

[Js32274]

What is this metal switch under my dash? I have no idea what it is?

 

[miesk5]

Yo js,
Perhaps it's aftermarket switch for various purposes.
Can you trace the wiring to a device?

 

[NotaVegetarian]

It’s going to something aftermarket, my guess auxiliary lights, or was at one point.

 

[goodO1boydws]

What is this metal switch under my dash? I have no idea what it is?

A couple ideas.

As Notaveg suggested, lights would be one good guess, or possibly a winch.
Are there any mounting holes or signs of missing brackets on the roof or front end of the frame or one of the bumpers? That might give you a clue.

It could be also have been used/be being used as part of an alternative/work-around or replacement circuit to get something original working that wasn't.

If you can trace the wiring, the wire gauge AND/OR strength and presence of a fuse or circuit breaker or relay, or fusible link (if there IS one) might give an idea of how much current it was intended to control. Very thick wiring and a high amp rating on the switch is likelier for something that's a big draw running without using a relay.

A common possibility that would not need heavy wiring is the fuel pump or ignition circuit.
Either a manual switch to bypass a problem in the original wiring or that someone added as a no-start switch to help make it harder to steal the truck.

The switch placement says that they weren't necessarily trying to HIDE the location-just not make it instantly obvious, but it sure looks to be in a odd place, one that could easily get accidentally tripped.

If the wiring is still live, you can always try both positions and see if anything stops working........

 

[Js32274]

Hey guys. I am so happy I found this board. All of you are very helpful, thanks for that.

I got in touch with the previous owner and he said he thought it might have gone to fog lights that use to be on it…who knows.

 

[chrlsful]

not very definitive.
"...who knows..."
U will want to. (May OR may not - Y B uncertain?) come up to bite U later and is VERY simple to get to the awnsr. TRACE it.

Any new-to-U vehicle needs this process. What are the components (it's a 40 y/o system. OPs could have done anything over that time) on this specific rig? Which R Not oe, Y? Which R? What is their capacity? Is there a better component? Y? Will it wrk w/the others I have on there now?
/OR/
just drive around, when something happens, have no clue, get a surprise and get a clue in an emergency situation that needs a work out plan~