RamAirGT22
05-08-2003, 02:36 PM
Here is how to make a custom switch panel out of the cubby hole located below the fog light switch on the left hand side of the steering wheel.
1. Use a flat head screw driver and pry down the tabs on the inside of the hole. I started with the top and once the top was loose it came right out.
2. I took a peice of plexiglass and formed a peice the best I could to fit into the hole. I used a dremel which worked very well and was fast.
3. After the plexiglass was fitted in tight I then taped up the back of it with masking tape so that when I pored in the epoxy it did not run down the back. I used West Systems epoxy becuase it was avalable through my work. You could use a polyester resin as well, epoxy is just more expensive.
4. Pour the resin onto the plexiglass. I used a small throw away brush to make sure to get it in the cracks so it looked like one piece. The brush also helped to even the resin out and after a few minutes the resin became flat and smooth.
5. After the resin dried I applied more to the front. Once that was dry I did the same thing from the back to make sure everything would stay in place.
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyhole.JPG
6. Then I sanded everything down with 120 grit sandpaper and some sanding bits on the dremel. I cut off the back of the cubby flush to the hardened resin so that I could fit the switches in later.
7. Once everything was dry I applied 4 coats of primer and 3 coats of paint.
8. Once dry I measured my holes for the switches and LED's and dremeled them out. You could use a drill bit but I was to lazy to get one out of the closet.
9. I then applied a final coat of paint to cover up and marks I may have left and let it dry over night.
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbywholes.JPG
10. I then mounted my switches and my LED's. Once the LED's were in place I put some super glue to hold them there. I wired everything up and popped it back in to place under the dash.
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyswitchdoneback.JPG
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyholeinstall2.JPG
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyinstall3.JPG
I got everything I needed from my work and the LED's I used were premade 12V LED's made by Blueseas. I got the amber to match the rest of the lights. I can get them in green and red also if anyone is interested and also in 120v and 230v too.
If you have any questions you can email me or PM me. Good Luck.
1. Use a flat head screw driver and pry down the tabs on the inside of the hole. I started with the top and once the top was loose it came right out.
2. I took a peice of plexiglass and formed a peice the best I could to fit into the hole. I used a dremel which worked very well and was fast.
3. After the plexiglass was fitted in tight I then taped up the back of it with masking tape so that when I pored in the epoxy it did not run down the back. I used West Systems epoxy becuase it was avalable through my work. You could use a polyester resin as well, epoxy is just more expensive.
4. Pour the resin onto the plexiglass. I used a small throw away brush to make sure to get it in the cracks so it looked like one piece. The brush also helped to even the resin out and after a few minutes the resin became flat and smooth.
5. After the resin dried I applied more to the front. Once that was dry I did the same thing from the back to make sure everything would stay in place.
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyhole.JPG
6. Then I sanded everything down with 120 grit sandpaper and some sanding bits on the dremel. I cut off the back of the cubby flush to the hardened resin so that I could fit the switches in later.
7. Once everything was dry I applied 4 coats of primer and 3 coats of paint.
8. Once dry I measured my holes for the switches and LED's and dremeled them out. You could use a drill bit but I was to lazy to get one out of the closet.
9. I then applied a final coat of paint to cover up and marks I may have left and let it dry over night.
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbywholes.JPG
10. I then mounted my switches and my LED's. Once the LED's were in place I put some super glue to hold them there. I wired everything up and popped it back in to place under the dash.
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyswitchdoneback.JPG
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyholeinstall2.JPG
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/LaceyMarine1/cubbyinstall3.JPG
I got everything I needed from my work and the LED's I used were premade 12V LED's made by Blueseas. I got the amber to match the rest of the lights. I can get them in green and red also if anyone is interested and also in 120v and 230v too.
If you have any questions you can email me or PM me. Good Luck.