Thread: D1 ARB locker switches, something different

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




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

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

First remove the lights, then the back section can be removed by lifting the smap clips at the rear of the housing


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

You are trying to pull the circled bit inwards.
It comes apart into 3 basic pieces

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

Printed off from the computer on normal paper

Then mirror imaged onto acetate, printed at my local officeworks for a small fee

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

cut to size to fit into the window
i also glued a thin piece of clear perspex onto the back to add strength


The end result, logo sits flush with the housing, would look better if the grey matched the housing


Into the standard housing and ready to sort out the wiring


All finished, the switches glow almost exactly the same colour as the original switches. Night photos werent working for me sorry


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?

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