Looking for suggestions on unused switches

[tw205]

So I have an 85 BII I bought years back not running sitting in a field for too many years. During the process of reviving, finding door panels in decent shape proved futile. I bought a 90 BII for parts rig( had the Dana 35 ). The interior panel were much better than the 85 so I used them. Roof liner, side walls all the trim and what not. But the door panels were for electric windows and locks and the 85 was all manual. I didn’t let that stop me. Lengthened the window crank shafts and drilled a hole and here you go. So I got these unused window and lock switched that do nothing. Although I have had passengers try to use them. . So what to do with them? Any thoughts?

 

[Roert42]

Some kind of kill switch? Have to hold the lock button or the starter doesn't go?

Winch controller? Up down for in and out?

I assume they are all momentary switches or I would say use them for different lighting circuits.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would wire all of them to an ah-ooooo-ga horn mounted under the passenger seat.

 

[tw205]

I would wire all of them to an ah-ooooo-ga horn mounted under the passenger seat.

That actually came to mind. Or a 007 ejection seat

 

[dvdswan]

Ejecto-Seato cuz.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yep, a big ass horn under the seat and " do not touch buttons" sticker on the door.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I would wire all of them to an ah-ooooo-ga horn mounted under the passenger seat.

I have a better idea.

One switch (on the drivers door) gets wired to a flame thrower. Hit that switch when somebody's tailgating you, it shoots flames out the back of the truck. The other switch gets wired to a truck air horn (mounted inconspicuously somewhere). Somebody cuts you off, hit that button, and watch the character that cut you off pull over to change their underwear.

Yes, I have a mean streak.

 

[Chapap]

Some kind of kill switch?

That was my first thought! I’m trying to find a good spot to hide a switch and that’s a good one. Hidden in plain sight.

 

[tw205]

That was my first thought! I’m trying to find a good spot to hide a switch and that’s a good one. Hidden in plain sight.

Kinda hidden but if someone actually looks and sees a window crank and a window button? Like I said , I’ve had passengers try to use the button so some don’t even question the odd setup.
Great suggestions gang. With 3 on the driver side and two on the passenger the combinations are many.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I actually had to write schematics and diagnosis for the CUCV program for GM. Their black out lighting system was Mil-Spec wiring and used momentary switches contacted to a pair of relays to control the operation of the lighting. So it is possible to control lighting with one of the window switches or door lock switch.

 

[tw205]

I actually had to write schematics and diagnosis for the CUCV program for GM. Their black out lighting system was Mil-Spec wiring and used momentary switches contacted to a pair of relays to control the operation of the lighting. So it is possible to control lighting with one of the window switches or door lock switch.

Nice! I’m a low voltage tech/engineer and am sure I can make it work most anything with the proper relays and supporting power supply

 

[Uncle Gump]

I tried to write that section of the book sitting at a desk with only schematic blueprints.... but I had no technical specs for anything else in the system. I just couldn't make sense on how it worked. I had to get a DMM and travel to a vehicle to analyze what was going on when you push the switches. After about a half day of probing the system I had figured it out and the engineer walks in. He said that a lot of Mil-Spec wiring works the same way. From what I remember was one normally open momentary switch that would control ground to energize the first relay. The switched side of that relay controlled the ground that would energize the second relay. That switched ground circuit was also spliced back into the control side of the first relay so it would remain energized after the momentary switch was released.... through a normally closed momentary switch. So when the OFF side of the switch was pressed.... it would open the ground of the first relay and it would deenergize causing the second relay to deenergize and turn off the lights. Really weird stuff. I would think you could search up a schematic that shows what I tried to describe.

 

[Chapap]

I tried to write that section of the book sitting at a desk with only schematic blueprints.... but I had no technical specs for anything else in the system. I just couldn't make sense on how it worked. I had to get a DMM and travel to a vehicle to analyze what was going on when you push the switches. After about a half day of probing the system I had figured it out and the engineer walks in. He said that a lot of Mil-Spec wiring works the same way. From what I remember was one normally open momentary switch that would control ground to energize the first relay. The switched side of that relay controlled the ground that would energize the second relay. That switched ground circuit was also spliced back into the control side of the first relay so it would remain energized after the momentary switch was released.... through a normally closed momentary switch. So when the OFF side of the switch was pressed.... it would open the ground of the first relay and it would deenergize causing the second relay to deenergize and turn off the lights. Really weird stuff. I would think you could search up a schematic that shows what I tried to describe.

What are advantages/disadvantages of this compared to a regular switch? Seems like a complicated way to have buttons instead of switches. And Mil-Spec is referring to military stuff right? Only thing I ever saw was the switch pictured, occasionally the newer switch pictured (guessing a drop in replacement for the lever one. Didn’t like it either, can’t intuitively operate by feel), and off the shelf International or Freightliner stuff on the newest generation machines.

 

[Uncle Gump]

What are advantages/disadvantages of this compared to a regular switch? Seems like a complicated way to have buttons instead of switches. And Mil-Spec is referring to military stuff right? Only thing I ever saw was the switch pictured, occasionally the newer switch pictured (guessing a drop in replacement for the lever one. Didn’t like it either, can’t intuitively operate by feel), and off the shelf International or Freightliner stuff on the newest generation machines.
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You would have to ask Uncle Sam why they do it that way. Mil-Spec is military... they have an entire different set of rules then automotive specs.

 

[tw205]

Head spinning ! But could be the beer. I’ll revisit this when the hangover has passed.