D1 ARB locker switches, something different

[SSmith]

Decided id do something a little different with the switches when installing an ARB locker in my 97 Disco

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1373.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5386.jpg)


Heres how i did it.

Used switches from Bundalene (or son of cant remember) on ebay
any switch with the red on light will do
Compared to the ARB switch
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1374.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5365.jpg)
Wiring pattern took a little trial and error to figure out. The 3 or 4 i pulled apart doing this were all the same inside tho
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1375.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5368.jpg)
First remove the lights, then the back section can be removed by lifting the smap clips at the rear of the housing
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1376.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5370.jpg)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1377.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5369.jpg)
Insert a needle or very small screwdriver in through where the lights came from to pull the tabs holding the face onto the inner white bit
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1378.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=gutsofswitch.jpg)
You are trying to pull the circled bit inwards.
It comes apart into 3 basic pieces
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1379.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5371.jpg)
Next drill out the original logo and file it out so you have a rectangular window
this was my test dummy, no red light when on
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1380.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5373.jpg)
Printed off from the computer on normal paper
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1381.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5374.jpg)
Then mirror imaged onto acetate, printed at my local officeworks for a small fee
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1382.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5375.jpg)
So that when laminated they match up and block the light in the black sections but the white sections still glow like the originals when your headlights are on
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1383.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5376.jpg)
cut to size to fit into the window
i also glued a thin piece of clear perspex onto the back to add strength
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1384.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5379.jpg)

The end result, logo sits flush with the housing, would look better if the grey matched the housing
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1385.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5380.jpg)

Into the standard housing and ready to sort out the wiring
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1386.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5382.jpg)

All finished, the switches glow almost exactly the same colour as the original switches. Night photos werent working for me sorry
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1387.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy341/ssmith82/rover%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_5388.jpg)

A lot of fidling around to get these to turn out right, but very happy with the result

I used a relay to provide power to the compressor, through fear of the rover switches not being able to handle the current drawn by the compressor. Was this the right move or just overkill?

[one_iota]

Very neat job...I like the understated LR look as opposed to the chunky ARB in your face switches.

Relays are the safe way to go with rover switches.

[Sprint]

nice job! question though, whats the thing under the switches?

[SSmith]

I like the understated LR look as opposed to the chunky ARB in your face switches.
i wanted them to look like they belonged there

whats the thing under the switches?
"Madman EMS2"
engine monitoring system, often pops up in the ads top right of the forum screen
mounted in the carcass of an old external uhf speaker, to mirror the actual uhf external speaker mounted on the opposite side of the transmission tunnel

[SSmith]

P.S. i didnt use the whole A4 sheet of prints during this project so if anybody is interested in doing their own im happy to help out

[mns488]

I like the understated LR look as opposed to the chunky ARB in your face switches.
i wanted them to look like they belonged there



I've got the ARB switches in that spot in my d1 and thought they looked fine and normal.

Edit: good job as well!

[SSmith]

I've got the ARB switches in that spot in my d1 and thought they looked fine and normal.

Edit: good job as well!

thanks

i considered doing what you have done, decided to have some fun with it.
plus i didnt like the ammount of light (too much) put out by arb switches when i used them in a previous vehicle

[WedWon]

Brilliant solution

I have used a few L/R swiches for various purposes but they just have the "demist" "cruise control" etc logos still on them

This is a neat mod

Cheers

Jason

[Hendrik]

Great stuff. I was thinking about doing the same in my d2, but on the binnicle on the left. Will definatly use the logos you used.
Thank you for sharing.

[SSmith]

Thanks for the compliments
we will see how they stand the test of time

Quick heads up for anybody considering this.
1. the switches are a PITA to dismantle without breaking something
2. remember to print the logos mirror imaged on the acetate so when you glue it to the paper the printing is against the paper - or it will wear off when you press the button
3. the glue i used would dissolve the printing on the acetate making the image smudge. very fiddly to get it right. you need the 2 prints to get a proper blackout of the light, 2 sheets of paper might be easier but blocks a little too much light in the white parts and your logo's will be very dull

Sorry i lost the images i used to create the prints after a computer crash. Pretty easy to make, i just used MS paint, some trial and error to get them the right size.
I do have some spare prints sitting around PM me if you'd like them