OEM AUX Switch Alternatives

[Maximus4R]

Hi All -

Trying to find some alternatives to the OEM physical Aux switches. Looking OEM is my biggest concern (behind working obviously). Seems like folks have only good things to say about caliraised switches but, while they look like a great option, I’m worried that the blue color is going to stand out like crazy at night. Rave has a couple options too but not many choices. Sticker fab blanks (out of stock) look like a darker black and no backlight on the actual label/call out.
For someone being ridiculous like me, are the OEM switches the best option?
Thinking of tying them into a diode dynamics d-switch (it has 12v triggers) for expansion and install friendliness.

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[DustyLens]

“Every time you try to operate on of these weird black controls that are labelled in black on a black background, a little black light lights up black to let you know you’ve done it."
Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #2)

 

[vready]

@Maximus4R - I'm trying to accomplish the same thing and have installed the CaliRaised switches (but have not wired them to anything yet...) so I can show you how they look with backlighting. The blue backlight doesn't stand out too much, and in every other respect, they look/feel OEM.

Let me know how it goes with the Diode Dynamics D-switch. That looks like an interesting option. I'm also following the discussion over on this thread to see whether you can add the OEM fuse block assembly to run these switches.

 

[Maximus4R]

@Maximus4R - I'm trying to accomplish the same thing and have installed the CaliRaised switches (but have not wired them to anything yet...) so I can show you how they look with backlighting. The blue backlight doesn't stand out too much, and in every other respect, they look/feel OEM.

Let me know how it goes with the Diode Dynamics D-switch. That looks like an interesting option. I'm also following the discussion over on this thread to see whether you can add the OEM fuse block assembly to run these switches.

Man, those do look amazing. Thank you!

 

[Maximus4R]

Cali-raised confirmed that their switch colors can’t be changed but were super cool and recommended both CH4X4 and http://stechswitch.com/ as potential options. I ordered a switch from CH4X4 to check out but I might be all in on Cali-raised at this point. I’m a sucker for companies who genuinely want to help people vs just selling them stuff. Plus @vready’s pics look great.

 

[rocktheroad]

Cali-raised confirmed that their switch colors can’t be changed but were super cool and recommended both CH4X4 and http://stechswitch.com/ as potential options. I ordered a switch from CH4X4 to check out but I might be all in on Cali-raised at this point. I’m a sucker for companies who genuinely want to help people vs just selling them stuff. Plus @vready’s pics look great.

OMG I didn't think about that part... Looks like I ordered two different colors:

and this one:

I just saw in this post that the second one lights up blue when it's on. I have no clue what color the indicators are for the first one. I don't want to end up like a Christmas tree

For now, I have just amber/white for the roof lightbar, and two side lights.

I ordered a 360 Lighting Kit, but the plan is to separately turn on the left/right sides. And I have no idea what is going on with the two back lights, as this kit is originally for Tacoma, so I will wait until everything arrives to see what to do with the rear lights.

 

[Icculus]

https://www.4x4spod.com/products/?page=1&vid=177271

 

[Dead Horse]

I just saw in this post that the second one lights up blue when it's on. I have no clue what color the indicators are for the first one. I don't want to end up like a Christmas tree

You know, for people like me that wear bifocals, the Christmas tree approach might be a godsend. If I'm wearing my gas station sunglasses, I could see a glowing color, but not 1/4" text that says "ROCKETS" or "GREASE SLICK". Because MAN would it be embarrassing to hit the wrong one of those.

Just sayin. Not a terrible idea you've given me here.

 

[rocktheroad]

You know, for people like me that wear bifocals, the Christmas tree approach might be a godsend. If I'm wearing my gas station sunglasses, I could see a glowing color, but not 1/4" text that says "ROCKETS" or "GREASE SLICK". Because MAN would it be embarrassing to hit the wrong one of those.

Not exactly sure how light work actually works, does it stay on all the time, or just when you activate it? In the latter case, it might only be helpful for damage control.

 

[RogueWarrior65]

I bought a switch from StickerFab just to see what they looked like. I took it apart to see how it works. There's a little PCB inside with two surface mount LEDs and a surface mount pushbutton switch. The switch is not momentary which is probably more universal as there aren't many aftermarket devices that use a momentary pulse to turn it on or off. The pigtail has five wires.

What's interesting to me is that the exterior button part appears to be molded in white plastic and then painted black. That might mean that a hobby laser engraver could make truly custom switch.

 

[LFGRTX]

These are my CaliRaised switches. The switch icons illuminate at night with the headlights and the blue status light turns on when the light bar is on. The status light is pretty bright, but it’s not a distraction for me because of where they’re located on the dash.

 

[Icculus]

That looks good. Will hopefully get my spod setup installed this weekend to show another alternative.

 

[zxsix]

Do you unplug the factory aux switch and plug the cali raised switch into it, or is there some wire splicing needed?

ETA answering for future searchers. Yes, just plug and play with original oem wire connector.

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