OEM foglight switch strength

[SkylinesSuck]

Recently installed the newer style 4 switch panel in my '98 when I installed my double din head unit. I have an extra fog light switch I threw in there to fill the hole and I wired up the backlighting just to make everything look normal, but it's a dummy switch. I was thinking about wiring it up to my interior light fuse to enable/disable the door open switch for when I go doorless. Anybody got any input on if the factory fog switch would be strong enough to control that? Or would a relay be needed? I have LED replacement lights, but if it's close enough for that to matter, I'd just do a relay anyways. Thanks!

 

[Mike_H]

I think you'd be fine. I installed a cheap switch from the autoparts store to do the same. I think it was only a 10 amp fuse or something. Not sure what the dash switches are rated for, but 10 amps isn't much.

 

[Bionic_Scorpion]

Recently installed the newer style 4 switch panel in my '98 when I installed my double din head unit. I have an extra fog light switch I threw in there to fill the hole and I wired up the backlighting just to make everything look normal, but it's a dummy switch. I was thinking about wiring it up to my interior light fuse to enable/disable the door open switch for when I go doorless. Anybody got any input on if the factory fog switch would be strong enough to control that? Or would a relay be needed? I have LED replacement lights, but if it's close enough for that to matter, I'd just do a relay anyways. Thanks!

This is something I'm interested in. Do you have any pics of your dash? What kind if modifications did you do to make the switch housing fit?

 

[SkylinesSuck]

So I tried this out and the lights glow dimmly but not near what they should. I'm guessing that means the switch isn't ballsy enough? I have LED's in all the interior lights already. I'm going to try a relay tomorrow.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Okay, problem solved and everything works. I thought it was weird the lights would glow dimmly instead of just the switch burning up if it couldn't handle it. Turns out the extra switch I got had dirty contacts inside. Also strangely it seems the indicator light needs to be working for the switch to work? Anywho, looking at the guts of the switch, it'll handle a couple of LED's no problem. I'm happy I won't need to pull the fuse anymore and I found a use for the extra switch space I had thanks to my double din conversion.

 

[CharlesHS]

There is a fuse in the fuse block behind the glove compartment that can be removed to stop the courtesy lights from coming on when the doors are removed.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

LoL, yup.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

This is something I'm interested in. Do you have any pics of your dash? What kind if modifications did you do to make the switch housing fit?

I forgot to get back to this. I installed a double din bezel and head unit, and it was for a newer TJ that had the 4 switch panel. There are already some good write ups on double din conversions out there, including on this board. The switch panel pics I could show you would just be what a stock newer TJ looks like. I just put another fog light switch in the extra spot and wired it with it's own inline fuse and plugged it in to the factory fuse panel. So instead of pulling the fuse, I just flip an OEM switch.

 

[Bionic_Scorpion]

I forgot to get back to this. I installed a double din bezel and head unit, and it was for a newer TJ that had the 4 switch panel. There are already some good write ups on double din conversions out there, including on this board. The switch panel pics I could show you would just be what a stock newer TJ looks like. I just put another fog light switch in the extra spot and wired it with it's own inline fuse and plugged it in to the factory fuse panel. So instead of pulling the fuse, I just flip an OEM switch.

I've read multiple posts about the double din center bezel install but I was under the impression the 03-06 bezel would not fit the 97-02 models which is why they make 2 different models. Thats why I was asking about any modifications you did to make it fit. Its my understanding the clips don't line up and are in different locations. I thought maybe you adapted a 03-06 4 switch panel to a 97-02 bezel.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Oh, gotcha. Yeah, two of the four clips didn't even come close to lining up, and I had to cut a couple of the little support legs. Overall it's less than ideal, but it is secure enough for me with just two clips. I had bought that bezel way back when it was the only thing on the market. I recommend buying the one out there for your correct year.

 

[Bionic_Scorpion]

Oh, gotcha. Yeah, two of the four clips didn't even come close to lining up, and I had to cut a couple of the little support legs. Overall it's less than ideal, but it is secure enough for me with just two clips. I had bought that bezel way back when it was the only thing on the market. I recommend buying the one out there for your correct year.

I appreciate it.