Switching to Missiles

USAFTUNDRA · #1 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007, 09:37 PM

So I'm looking at all the blanks in my dash reminding me of all the options that my truck does not have. As for the switch blanks to the left of my steering wheel, how much room is behind those.
Enough for a toggle?
How hard are they to deal with?
Worth the time?

Just for fun, I'm thinking about putting a dummy covered toggle switch in each of them like you would use to arm missiles

Any idea if this would work? --The switch not the missiles

yes I read the faux fog light thead...I think there is a market there

Ando140 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007, 09:53 PM

I think there is some room back there, could prolly get a toggle in if you were creative. I think the OEM switches have a similar back end to standard toggle switches.
Hey, I noticed you're in the a/f in OK... you at Vance by chance? A friend of mine used to be a T-1 instructor out there.

CHINKinatundra · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007, 09:57 PM

yeah, should work. all you need to do is drill a hole and bolt that toggle switch and cover there.

USAFTUNDRA · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ando140

I think there is some room back there, could prolly get a toggle in if you were creative. I think the OEM switches have a similar back end to standard toggle switches.
Hey, I noticed you're in the a/f in OK... you at Vance by chance? A friend of mine used to be a T-1 instructor out there.

Enid America Baby! Good place to be.

anybody got a "how to" on how I get the blank out and put a switch in?

USAFTUNDRA · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 05:43 PM

Well...went to local parts store and got a switch and switch cover. Got a lap full of dash this afternoon trying to get to that blank next to the cargo light switch on the 2005. Finally got to it. Took about 15 min. and for the life of me I can't figure out how to get the blank out. Stupid thing would not go in our out. It just wiggled.

Meanwhile I'm scared to death I'm going to screw something up with this circuit board in my lap. I just put the thing back together and and hope someone has a good idea of how to get those things out. Otherwise, I have a great toggle switch and nifty red safety cover I'll sell really cheap

mostsleek · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 07:38 PM

You will need 2 items, flat head screw driver and long bladed knife(exacto knife). THe covers are held in by plastic tabs on the sides. Take the knife and insert it in the gap on the side. It might takes some force so use the screw driver if needed. Once you get one side the other side will just pop out. There is room back there for wiring. Some where on this forum I have posted pics of the switch I have installed.
Found it

lukewaterhouse · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 08:15 PM

Forget working on the toggle switch. Get the missles installed first then the switch won't seem so daunting.

USAFTUNDRA · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukewaterhouse

Forget working on the toggle switch. Get the missles installed first then the switch won't seem so daunting.

Yeah...prob. one of the dumbest projects I've ever taken on.

I gave up on the blank center console and decided to take on one of the blanks to the left of the steering wheel. Much easier to get to and came right out.

You really need a dremel tool to do this. I did it redneck style with a drill and various bits, but you have to ream out the inside of the blank to have something to mount the toggle switch on. Let's just say that toyota engineers designed this blank so that no toggle switch on the market will fit in the space that nothing was intended to go in anyway. I spent the better part of the night destroying a perfectly good dash blank.

I got it installed. It's a little loose but I had trouble getting the threads out far enough for the nut to fit. Now I have a big red switch on my dash. Yeah! Now the free world can sleep better knowing that my missile switch is connected to nothing and stands guard.

Too tired tonight to post pics. I'll embarrass my self tomorrow by doing that. But not half as embarrassed as I am that I misspelled MISSILE! AHHHH!

edit: fixed the spelling stuff.
Mod note: fixed the thread title for ya.

webwrangler · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007, 09:56 PM

LOL! There sure have been times I wished I had the missles!

T100_2_TUNDRA · #10 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webwrangler

LOL! There sure have been times I wished I had the missles!

I've always wanted guns under the hood myself...

Cyberbilly · #11 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAFTUNDRA

Just for fun, I'm thinking about putting a dummy covered toggle switch in each of them like you would use to arm missiles

I think you've been flying too high without oxygen.

j/k

zlathim · #12 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 12:57 PM

It was a cool idea anyway. Sorry it didn't work out for you but thanks for helping me cross one item off of my list of things to-do!

vando45 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 01:26 PM

I think some missile launch tubes would look real good where the foglights are. Don't you have some extra parts laying around the base that would fit in there?

DevinSixtySeven · #14 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 01:52 PM

Wheredja get the switches? They're on my list but never got around to them.

USAFTUNDRA · #15 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zlathim

It was a cool idea anyway. Sorry it didn't work out for you but thanks for helping me cross one item off of my list of things to-do!

After sleeping on it and getting to see it in the day time, I'm really pleased with the work. I snugged it up with some super glue and life is peachy. I would have liked it in the center under the radio but to the left of the wheel is fine. Guys at work thought it was funny and my neighbor who is a fighter pilot wants one for his truck

Quote:

Originally Posted by vando45

I think some missile launch tubes would look real good where the foglights are. Don't you have some extra parts laying around the base that would fit in there?

No extra parts, but I hear there are some harsh comments

for folks that are looking for alternatives to fog lights for their fog light holes. I personally think a set of twin .50 cals poke'n out of there would be nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinSixtySeven

Wheredja get the switches? They're on my list but never got around to them.

I got the red switch cover at O'Reilly's for about $5. They had one left. It was like providence was smiling down on me. You can find them online as well. Some for as high as $25 just for the cover but those are marine grade stuff. I broke my first toggle switch so I had to go to lowe's and get another one. Total cost for project was $15 and 4 hours. (most of that was trying to dremel without a dremel and finding out I could not put in center dash)

I try to get pics tomorrow...the camera does not work well in the dark and I got home to late today.

found a link to some cheap ones if wanted to do some like I did for show:Amazon.com: Pilot Anodized Safety Cover Toggle Switches - CARBON FIBER: Electronics