Installing new switch in place of dash blanks

[peterpanner Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peterpanner]

Hi

Is there an easier way to pop out switch blanks in the dash than pulling the whole area apart to get to the rear of the blanks?

I read in one forum that you have to remove the door sill then other panels.

[Defender90 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Defender90]

Hi

Is there an easier way to pop out switch blanks in the dash than pulling the whole area apart to get to the rear of the blanks?

I read in one forum that you have to remove the door sill then other panels.

If you mean the switches on the right hand side of the steering when then I've just done it. Pull the plastic cover off shown below.



Then you can, lying on your back on the drivers side foot well, you can get a screwdriver to the switch panel and pop it off. You need skinny arms and hands. See below.



If you mean another switch panel then I have not yet attempted that.

[LeighW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LeighW]

If you get an icy pole stick and file it to a flat chisel shape you should be able to pop them out without scratching the panel. Cheers Leigh

[Defender90 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Defender90]

Or if you know you are going to fit a switch then just drill a hole through the blank one you want removing and put in a bend coat hanger or strong bent wire and pop it out from the hole

[peterpanner Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peterpanner]

Thanks very much. I will give it a go.

[joe b Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close joe b]

Defender 90,

I need to do this so just checking is there any clips or screws etc I should know about as I have never done this before?
Are you able to provide anymore info on how to get the first panel then the switch panel off,
I need to make some adjustment to my custom switches arb put in place for me for my spottys and led bar as they are not sitting correctly and getting stuck.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Admittedly this was in my 120 - but for the dash panel I just stuck my hand up the back and popped the blank out with my fingers

[joe b Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close joe b]

is the switch panel easy to pop out form there once the dash panel is removed?

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

For the ones in the centre console area (not sure if the same for the dash) I leveraged one out with a metal ruler. (not the measuring bit)

[joe b Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close joe b]

I am wanting to get the whole panel out to access the back of the switches also, it Is the panel to the right of the drivers wheel to clarify, ill see if I can pop it out but I think the main panel needs to be removed first

[maulbeagle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maulbeagle]

Any update on this joe b ?

[Duncan Groenewald Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Duncan Groenewald]

FYI - to access the switch panel containing the 4x4 mode dial in the lower centre console - below the radio do the following:

Remove the triangular shaped padded panels on the left and right sides of the centre console - under the dash board. These just pull out - pull them out gently by lifting the side closest to the engine bay and then ease them out. The top corner is partly behind the plastic corner trip. To replace put this corner in first and gently press back into place.

Once these are removed you can remove the two plastic corner trip pieces on the left/right side of the vertical centre console (on either side of the radio). These also pull out of the clips holding them in place. They are also slightly under the top dash piece so pull them out directly toward the rear of the car (away from engine bay) from the bottom first - be sure to pull then entire piece together but at an angle of about 30 degrees with the bottom coming out further than the top in idea to accomodate the slightly recessed position of the top. Apply a firm even pressure and be sure to support yourself to prevent a sudden excessive movement in the event the lower clips release suddenly. Too much of an angle when removing will most likely damage the clips.

I use two hands with a very firm grip holding both sides to the tip and the top and at the bottom and then increase the pull pressure until I fell the clips starting to release the trip. Once the initial grip is released ease them out gently with little pressure keeping the bottom a little ahead of the top to clear the recessed area. Replacement is the opposite, put the top in first and get it under the recess and them gently press evenly on top and bottom until it pops back into place.

After removal of the side trim the bottom switch panel can be removed by also pulling firmly but gently to the rear - grip firmly on either side and ease out the bottom slightly ahead of the top. You may have to remove the attached cables to get full access to the empty switch panel. The switch panel has 4 triangular wedges, two on top and two on the bottom. Lift the plastic frame at these clips and press the plate backwards - get the top two clips released and then do the same with the bottom two and the empty plate will just pop out the back. Good luck finding a switch to fit this slot - it has a curve to it and is not the same size as the smaller switch slots.