dave1123

Here's something I did in my WJ, since my A/C hasn't worked since 2012 and we removed it all while installing my new engine. I used 2 Daystar switches and a piece of side paneling to make my own switch panel. The little green LEDs are there so I can find the switches at night. JB Weld for plastics works great on ABS and Polyprop. Yes, I know it's dirty.

caged

that looks pretty slick

jon-d

Nice job.

dave1123

Actually, it's a hack job! It would have gone easier if I had a jig saw or something to cut out the plates, but I had to use a Dremel with a cut off wheel because I don't have a workshop anymore. 3D printing would have been great! Basically just remove the air directing vanes and glue plates over the openings, then block off the ductwork. It takes a bit of work to remove the vane holder without destroying it because it's heat welded in place. I also have to figure out what resistor to use to reduce the brightness of the little panel LEDs because they are a bit bright at night. One switch is for my amber foglights and one is for my rooftop flasher.

Speaking of which, my rooftop flasher has a halogen headlight bulb in it because it was a cheap rotating light that died, so I converted it to just flash. However, it draws 4 amps which melts a cigarette lighter type plug due to resistance. I now use a mono headphone 1/4" plug and jack and it just gets a little warm.

BlueRidgeMark

Nice!

dave1123

Thank you for that. I'm not trying to brag about this. I just want to show others what is possible. What prompted this was I bought a snap-in panel for my XJ that does the same thing from Quadratec and it works so great and was so easy to install that I wanted something in my WJ. The one in the XJ doesn't even block off the dash vent too much. I suppose if you used them for heat out those vents, problems could arise, like softening the switches. I figure if I used XJ switches in the WJ, there's enough room for 8 switches, but who needs them on a basically street jeep? BTW, there is no provision in the WJ circuitry for the high idle function that the XJ has.

94zj318

While it is a cool idea, I wouldn't want to take up my factory HVAC vents. Starting with the '03 WJ's, Jeep replaced the '99-'02 WJ's ashtray with just a storage compartment. Mine's an '02, but if I had an '03+, I'd want to see about using up that compartment.

-Vince

dave1123

That whole panel with the power outlet and cigarette lighter just snaps in on 4 spring clips and If I recall correctly the ash tray piece is just heat welded over some studs on the back of it. The front is curved so there is that, but you could easily glue a panel piece into the front of it and cut out the back to access the area. My rear cargo area storage pocket fell apart and when I looked it over it had been broken before and the PO had just glued it together. I just used a piece of the back of that for mine, figuring to get a replacement at the boneyard. I didn't care for the grey color, so just sprayed it black. It's high density polypropylene and the front panel is ABS, but the JB Weld worked to bond them together. That ash tray panel has fused constant power, fused accessory power, and even a lighting supply for the ash tray. Even 2 ground circuits.

I ran my rooftop light off the power outlet supply, fused at 15 amps, and my foglights off the cigarette lighter supply, fused at 10 amps, but the foglight switch only powers a relay.