Retrofit Aux Switches install completed

[sirius76]

I just completed adding OEM aux switches to my BB!

First to head off potential questions:
1. Why didn't you just get them from the factory? - Because I am a moron and didn't do the proper research
2. Why not just replace everything per this thread https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...talled-diy-writeup-instructions-photos.35388/ - See #1 lol, Seriously though I was really not keen on replacing the fuse box and having to deal with the DTC code that might be thrown in the background or that I would screw something up and brick my Bronco. This way the aux switches are totally "out of band" on OEM harnesses, etc.

I already had a Auxbeam box and buttons but I really wanted the Aux switches because they are so satisfying to toggle. I knew they were just switches to activate a relay.

I ended up having to use a generic fuse/relay box on Amazon ($30) because something about either the relays or wiring in the auxbeam didn't work as I expected. Maybe it relied on momentary relays idk. But I did reuse the auxbeam cable they ran through the fire wall and cut the ends off the switch panel and box. The auxbeam had the right amount of cables, 6 for switches and a +/-. After a few hours with a multi-meter I was able to get the pin out of the board on the OEM Aux switch and using a raspberry pi as a power source to test switch illumination. And proceeded to make a harness. I purchased the correct ford OEM harness ($82) for the sole purpose of cutting the aux connector portion off as I couldn't find just the correct end anywhere. I also acquired the overhead console with switches for only $200 on ebay.

To swap out the console I just had to take two screws from the sun visor holder and then the center console pulls down far enough to access the four screws that hold the console in. then run the Auxbeam cable and tucking it in on the pillars and along the top.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk!

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[BrianH]

What’s the name of the aux switch unit on the visor? You found that on eBay? Looks great.

 

[helifino16]

"they are so satisfying to toggle"

They're that much more fun when things come on:
1) Air Horn <-- This one especially!
2) A-pillar lights
3) bumper mounted light bar
4) open
5) Oracle grill letters
6) open

 

[Reidt131]

"they are so satisfying to toggle"

They're that much more fun when things come on:
1) Air Horn <-- This one especially!
2) A-pillar lights
3) bumper mounted light bar
4) open
5) Oracle grill letters
6) open

I have been craving a low "friendly horn" option to say hi to other vehicles without blowing out eardrums. Never thought about connecting it to the AUX switches.

I guess I need to order the retrofit parts to install AUX in my BB.

 

[sirius76]

What’s the name of the aux switch unit on the visor? You found that on eBay? Looks great.

It’s the ford oem aux switches. I will post the part number when I find it. It’s pretty common but usually around $350-400

 

[BrianH]

Thanks

 

[tgoat]

This is fantastic and takes all the risk out of pulling the fusebox and throwing the code. I think that this is an under rated post with a ton of potential!!!. Well done! Any further detail on how you wired the A piller harness, connected an add on fuse panel and added the necessary additional wiring would be hugely appreciated. Without a raspberry pie, is their another way to glean the pinouts and make an adapter?

 

[a.smith]

Would you be able to explain in detail how you did this? It seems to took an aftermarket aux switch system and spliced in the OEM switch assembly?

 

[sirius76]

This is fantastic and takes all the risk out of pulling the fusebox and throwing the code. I think that this is an under rated post with a ton of potential!!!. Well done! Any further detail on how you wired the A piller harness, connected an add on fuse panel and added the necessary additional wiring would be hugely appreciated. Without a raspberry pie, is their another way to glean the pinouts and make an adapter?

Sorry for the delayed reply.
So I just used the Raspberry pi as a 5v power source to test of the lights on the switches. The rest was done with a multi-meter to determine which pins went to which switches

I didn't have to mess with the OEM A pillar harness. Just run the cable bundle from from the after market aux fuse box up the pillar. I just had to purchase the OEM a pillar harness with the Aux connector so I could cut off that connector to make an adapter.

 

[sirius76]

Would you be able to explain in detail how you did this? It seems to took an aftermarket aux switch system and spliced in the OEM switch assembly?

Really no splicing at all. I took the aftermarket aux fusebox that I mounted in the engine bay and made an adapter that plugs into the back of the OEM aux switch module.

Just think of it as a totally stand alone system like any after market AUX solution except instead of a button pad the switches are the OEM Aux switch module

 

[a.smith]

Really no splicing at all. I took the aftermarket aux fusebox that I mounted in the engine bay and made an adapter that plugs into the back of the OEM aux switch module.

Just think of it as a totally stand alone system like any after market AUX solution except instead of a button pad the switches are the OEM Aux switch module

I see. I like that idea. Do the switches still light up and change color like factory? How did you route the cable from overhead to the fuse box?

 

[swooshdave]

I see. I like that idea. Do the switches still light up and change color like factory? How did you route the cable from overhead to the fuse box?

If you look carefully you can see the switch is lit.

 

[tgoat]

I wondering if you can just use the existing bundle in the A pillar and route that to the after market fuse box after connecting it to the OEM uplifter switch retrofit part? Basically use all the existing aux wiring and not buy the new harness?

 

[lat2801]

@flip

do you happen to have the pin out diagram for the harness and upfitter switch? I’m planning to do the same as above.

 

[lat2801]

@sirius76

Which generic panel did you buy?

also, you just disconnected the leads going to box from the harness right?

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