advice needed: dash/headlight switch placement

[95050JohnR]

Seeking the wisdom of others before I regret any decisions......I'm trudging along with my build and starting to think about my dash layout wrt the headlight switch placement. I think I want to minimize the dash a bit, so my initial thought is to place the headlight switch, and maybe the flasher switch, in a panel behind the dash as seen in the attachment (hopefully image attaches correctly). I haven't gotten to any of the dash or electrical yet, but my concern is if placement of the headlight switch here will interfere with anything else (fuse block/clutch ms/windshield mount/etc) being that the headlight switch is rather large? What about serviceability in this area behind the dash in the future? Any reason this area should be left open?

Thanks in advance,
John

218960

[gbranham]

If you mount your switch there, you're making a difficult windshield installation and removal a nearly impossible task. See those two windshield post bolt holes to the left of your aluminum panel? Your panel blocks the best route to them. From below, your fuse panel is in the way.

Greg

[95050JohnR]

Thanks Greg. That was exactly my fear and exactly what I needed to hear. What if this panel was somewhat removeable? Sounds like mounting anything here would still be a fools' errand?

John

[gbranham]

I personally wouldn't put any more wiring or switches, or anything, frankly, in that area. The windshield bolts are a bit of a challenge as-is. The headlight switch (the pull, not the body) is pretty small and unobtrusive on the dash in my opinion, and I didn't want to have to feel around for it while driving, so I just stuck it on the dash along with my other switches. Some folks have put a toggle 'pod' of some sort below the dash and on top of the trans tunnel to clean up the dash somewhat, and still have easy access to the various switches. That might be a route you could go.

Greg

[95050JohnR]

As I'm sure has probably happened countless times before, senior members of this forum have saved many tears, cuss words, and beers, from us junior members' poor decisions that impact us later on down the build road. Thank you for your insight!

John

[Jeff Kleiner]

I concur with Greg.

Jeff

[JohnK]

I wanted my headlight switch out of the way visually but still accessible so I put it on the left-hand side of the steering column, along with the billet button for the E-Stopp parking brake. That's generally where headlight switches are anyway, so it works out well.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=155706&d=1636166005

[rich grsc]

You don't want to hide the light switch

[95050JohnR]

Thanks JohnK. That's definitely an option. I believe you have the Russ Thompson turn signal and assume there's no interference with the pull of the switch with the turn signal stalk. I have the i.e.427 turn signal so my mileage may vary and would need to do some investigation if I were to put my switch in the same location.

Thanks rich grsc also!

John

[JohnK]

Yes, you definitely need to check for interference between the turn signal switch and headlight switch. I have the RT switch and the clearance is tight but works when the headlights are on. With the lights off there's plenty of room.

[95050JohnR]

Okay, let me put this under my pillow tonight and see what other harebrained ideas I need to run by you all;). Thanks for all the input.

John

[Derald Rice]

When I originally built 3319, I had the HL switch under the ash, for the same reasons that
you suggested...... Then one day I went to an all day car show and returned to a dead battery.
I had left the lights on and no one could find the switch to turn them off....

Don't make the same mistake that I made....Put it in plain sight...

And remember that it needs more clearance when the lights are on.

[JMD]

I don't have a picture for it, but I put mine in one of the aluminum brackets that support the bottom of the dash. It's just straight over the left side of the console cover and I pull it down to turn on instead of out. It's not visible but easy to reach. I didn't like the pull knob anywhere on the dash. I also eliminated the heater fan pull knob and replaced with two switches: one to open the electronic coolant shutoff valve (instead of the mechanical lever valve) and a three way switch on the dash that only activates the fan at med and high speeds. I did put the high/low beam switch on the dash (not the one in the pic, another metal toggle switch as I didn't like the plastic one). Just wanted switches, no knobs.

218983

And like Greg & Jeff said, don't use the panel you pictured behind the dash. You will certainly regret it later. That windshield (and body mounted side mirror) are hard enough to get to and that is your best access to them.

[95050JohnR]

Thanks JMD. Putting the switch on the support bracket is a possibility.

[Real Time]

Hi-I made a small aluminum panel and mounted it just below where your pic shows. I is in the corner where the horizontal and vertical 2 by 2's meet. I will most likely be installing my engine light there as well. Very natural location to operate and looks great. Got in and out dozens of times and no contact with my foot. I had to put a slight bend in the fuse panel (simply by pressing up on it) to give a tad more room for the switch. Still on the fence over weather I'll be just painting it black or going with the same leather as the dash- Hope this helps!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I am in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" group. Did a simple classic layout. Put it right in the middle of the switches. High/Low toggle right next to it on the left side. Hazards toggle on the other side. Small black button underneath is the panel dimmer

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=153848&d=1632788863

[95050JohnR]

Thanks Derald. That use case reaffirms why not to place the switch there. Appreciate all the real-world examples from the seasoned builders.

John

[CraigS]

Another option would be a sub dash panel. Maybe 2-3" tall, 8" wide, hanging just below the center of the dash and maybe 1" forward so it's not flush w/ the dash. You could also put a 4-way or other less used switch(s) there. Consider also if you have to pass any safety inspections in your state. They surely want the headlight switch readily apparent.