How to wire a switch panel in my 2022 xlt FX4 and is it worth a shop doing it?

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

So recently ish I added some nilight ditch lights to my ford ranger and have the hooked up to a switch inside that came with the kit off of amazon. I want to eventually add a roof light bar and maybe a few other smaller lights or a winch. However i wanted to know how hard it is to run a switch panel thru the dash of the ranger almost to the center console area like under the screen. I have never taken apart the dash or anything because i just poked the wire for my ditch lights thru the already existing fire wall wire boot on the drivers side with a drain snake. (nothing was damaged in the process). I was wondering if i would have to take apart the whole dash and would it be super annoying and hard to do? Bottom line is it worth possibly paying a shop like 200-300 bucks to run those wires with accessory wires so i wont have to run new wires from the switch panel to the inside of the engine bay. (As seen on the tremor accessories switches where the wires are just left in the engine bay so accessories can be easily wired to them. Anything helps thank you!

P.S this is the switch panel in question (Nilight 3 Gang Toggle Switch 12V Rocker Switch Panel with LED Light and Flip Cover Heavy-Duty ON/Off Switch Plate 3 Pin SPST，2 Years Warranty) its from amazon. If you have any recommendation on switch panels that are no bigger than 4 switches i would love to see those!

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[Tom_C]

There's several posted here, do a search for 'switch panel'. There is one posted in the thread below. Scroll down a few posts for the switch panel. There are others splattered around in various posts, some in that area, others up top in the tray on the top of the dash.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/custom-dash-console-cubby.33057/#post-739460

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/auxillary-switch-panel.27305/#post-702606

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

There's several posted here, do a search for 'switch panel'. There is one posted in the thread below. Scroll down a few posts for the switch panel. There are others splattered around in various posts, some in that area, others up top in the tray on the top of the dash.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/custom-dash-console-cubby.33057/#post-739460

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/auxillary-switch-panel.27305/#post-702606

I looked at those and i didnt find the answer exactly but i go the general idea. Thank you so much!

 

[Colo_Ranger]

When I ran a switch panel inside the cab, I didn't need to remove any of the dash. If you're worried about ease of wiring, check out the Garmin PowerSwitch. No wiring through the firewall.

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

When I ran a switch panel inside the cab, I didn't need to remove any of the dash. If you're worried about ease of wiring, check out the Garmin PowerSwitch. No wiring through the firewall.

is that like a wireless system? im worried about it messing up the voltage or something like that. Is it reliable?

 

[Tom_C]

is that like a wireless system? im worried about it messing up the voltage or something like that. Is it reliable?

It appears it is wireless, yes. What do you mean 'messing up the voltage'?

I'm old school so I would personally prefer to not have to use an app, or that control panel thingy that appears to be the size of a phone. I don't mind using an app, per se, I just would like it tucked into an easy to mount panel and not have to find a spot for something as large as a phone. That's my opinion.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

is that like a wireless system? im worried about it messing up the voltage or something like that. Is it reliable?

Its bluetooth controlled from your phone (and carplay/android auto). I've had it on for over a year and had no issues with pulling power when not engaged. I use remote start all the time and I have never gotten the message about it being turned off for low battery.

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

It appears it is wireless, yes. What do you mean 'messing up the voltage'?

I'm old school so I would personally prefer to not have to use an app, or that control panel thingy that appears to be the size of a phone. I don't mind using an app, per se, I just would like it tucked into an easy to mount panel and not have to find a spot for something as large as a phone. That's my opinion.

I see. What i mean by messing up the voltage or electrical system is when i have my cobra 29 LTD classic (peaked and tuned with a wilson 5000) on and i turn on my nilight ditch lights it seems my CB get far less power to the cigarette outlet. I dent know if that is just what happens or fi my cb or the outlet is messing up. Also i do have my lights wired directly to the batterie so the can be used when the truck is off. Then my second concern with this is how much strain is it going to put on that lil alternator if i have led fogs on after market switch with the ditch lights and the 52 in curved light bat i would want to add.

I would too rather have a switch panel but i don't know how easy its going to be to wire all those accessories wires too it. Also i don't know if its gonna heavily effect the electrical system or honestly how to wire a nest of both 2 ditch lights right now and a roof light bar and some ridge fogs in the future.

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

Its bluetooth controlled from your phone (and carplay/android auto). I've had it on for over a year and had no issues with pulling power when not engaged. I use remote start all the time and I have never gotten the message about it being turned off for low battery.

ohhh okay that's pretty nifty. I think that's too high tech of me i think I'm going to do some switches because i don't know if i wanna be having to get a phone mount and all of that just to turn on my lights and half the time i don't have my phone with me anyway because i can communicate via CB

 

[dozxab]

There's several posted here, do a search for 'switch panel'. There is one posted in the thread below. Scroll down a few posts for the switch panel. There are others splattered around in various posts, some in that area, others up top in the tray on the top of the dash.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/custom-dash-console-cubby.33057/#post-739460

Mine is in that thread. Available on Etsy. All the info on it is there. Lots of configuration options. https://www.etsy.com/listing/122775...qD1_SX77poaAjlJEALw_wcB&variation1=2713153963

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

okay thank you! Is it super flimsy and did you have it may any small holes for wires to slip out of the dash for it?

 

[dozxab]

okay thank you! Is it super flimsy and did you have it may any small holes for wires to slip out of the dash for it?

The only hole I had to make was to get the wires into the cab from the engine compartment. The mount is rock Solid for the switches.

 

[The_Stranger_Ranger]

The only hole I had to make was to get the wires into the cab from the engine compartment. The mount is rock Solid for the switches.

Okay perfect. I'm thinking I'm going use the already made wiring boot under the driver side dash to run my wire and see if i fish it behind the dash to come out right by the cigarette lighter plugs. Also how did you mount it tot he dash? did you have to like screw it in and if so how did you get the driver or dill to reach at seemingly a weird angle?

 

[dozxab]

Okay perfect. I'm thinking I'm going use the already made wiring boot under the driver side dash to run my wire and see if i fish it behind the dash to come out right by the cigarette lighter plugs. Also how did you mount it tot he dash? did you have to like screw it in and if so how did you get the driver or dill to reach at seemingly a weird angle?

If you look up at the place where it goes, between the power ports, there is a grill of sorts. The switchplate has hooks that slip into the holes. Push up and back and it locks into place. No tools or screws required. I just pulled the plastic under the steering wheel down, it is meant to be easily accessed for the fuse panel behind it, to run the wires. I wire tied them to the metal frame work behind it.

 

[fjwlobo]

I was looking at getting this one. It gives you the option to use the switch panel, remote or phone to control your auxiliary lights. Thought about mounting it to the pillar ?‍

https://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-Blue...ight-Waterproof/dp/B0DM1ZQF31?ref_=dslp_pg_dp

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