Switch Panel Layout — Trader-01¶
Vehicle: 1996 F-250 Crew Cab System: Infinitybox NGX Status: In Progress Last Updated: 2026-02-01
Layout Philosophy¶
The goal is a clean, functional interior that doesn't scream "project truck" but gives easy access to all controls. Group switches by function and frequency of use.
Guiding Principles: - Primary controls (lights, wipers, ignition) stay in OEM-ish locations - Frequently-used aux controls within easy reach while driving - Rarely-used controls can be tucked away - Consistent switch style within each panel - Labels visible day and night
Switch Inventory¶
Primary Vehicle Switches¶
| Switch | Type | Inputs Used | Current Location (OEM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight | Rotary or Push-pull | 1, 2 | Dash left of column |
| Dimmer (Hi/Lo) | Momentary or Toggle | 3, 4 | Floor or column stalk |
| Turn Signal | Self-canceling stalk | 5, 6 | Column |
| Hazard | Push-on/push-off | 7 | Dash or column |
| Ignition | Key cylinder | 9, 10, 11 | Column |
| Horn | Momentary | 14 | Steering wheel |
| Wiper | Multi-position | 15, 16, 17 | Column stalk or dash |
| Washer | Momentary | 18 | Column stalk or dash |
Auxiliary Switches¶
| Switch | Type | Input | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Bar | Latching | 24 | Medium | Front floods/spots |
| Pod Lights | Latching | 25 | Medium | Ditch/A-pillar |
| Rock Lights | Latching | 26 | Low | Underbody |
| Rear Work Light | Latching | 27 | Medium | Chase/reverse helper |
| Air Compressor | Latching | 28 | Low | Onboard air |
| Front Diff Lock | Momentary | 29 | Low | If equipped |
| Rear Diff Lock | Momentary | 30 | Low | If equipped |
Powertrain Switches¶
| Switch | Type | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TC Mode (2H/4H/4L) | Rotary or rocker | STU TC Controller | NOT through MASTERCELL |
Location Zones¶
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DASH │
│ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌────────┐ │
│ │ ZONE A │ │ CLUSTER │ │ ZONE B │ │ ZONE C │ │
│ │ Primary │ │ (gauges) │ │ HVAC │ │ Glove │ │
│ │ Switches│ │ │ │ Vents │ │ Box │ │
│ └─────────┘ └─────────────────┘ └─────────┘ └────────┘ │
│ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ COLUMN │ │
│ │ Turn/Wiper │ │
│ └──────────────┘ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│ │ CENTER CONSOLE │ │
│ │ ZONE D │ │
│ │ (Aux Switches) │ │
│ └─────────────────────┘ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ZONE E: Overhead (optional) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Zone A: Dash Left (Primary Switches)¶
Location: Left of steering column, OEM switch panel area
| Position | Switch | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlight | Rotary knob | OEM-style pull-rotate or modern rotary |
| 2 | Hazard | Push button | Illuminated when active |
| 3 | Panel Dimmer | Rotary knob | Controls backlight brightness |
Style Options:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| OEM replacement panel | Period-correct look | Limited availability, dated style |
| Custom aluminum panel | Clean, modern | Requires fabrication |
| 3D printed panel | Exact fit possible | May look cheap if not finished well |
Decision needed: OEM-look or modern clean?
Zone B: Dash Right (HVAC / Secondary)¶
Location: Right of cluster, near HVAC controls
| Position | Switch | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Defrost | Rocker or push | If rear defrost equipped |
| 2 | — | — | Reserved for Vintage Air controls |
Note: If using inVIRONMENT with Vintage Air, HVAC controls may be integrated. Pending Jay's response.
Zone C: Column Switches¶
Location: Steering column stalks
| Stalk | Function | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Left | Turn signal + Hazard | Self-canceling, latching hazard |
| Right | Wiper/Washer | Multi-position + momentary |
Steering Column Options:
| Column Type | Turn Signal | Wiper | Dimmer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OEM 1996 F-250 tilt | Stalk | Stalk | Floor | Non-airbag, fits truck |
| ididit Universal | Stalk | Stalk | Stalk or floor | Popular swap column |
| Flaming River | Stalk | Stalk | Stalk | Tilt options |
| Keep OEM column | Stalk | Stalk | Floor | Lowest cost, proven fit |
Current plan: OEM 1996 F-250 tilt column, non-airbag (noted in email to Jay)
Floor Dimmer vs Column: - Floor dimmer: OEM feel, one less stalk, foot-operated - Column dimmer: Modern feel, multi-function stalk, hand-operated
Zone D: Center Console (Auxiliary Panel)¶
Location: Center console or dash center — primary aux switch location
This is the main panel for off-road and accessory switches. Needs to be: - Reachable while driving - Visible at night (backlit switches) - Organized logically
Recommended Layout (6-8 Switch Panel)¶
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ │
│ │LIGHT│ │ POD │ │ROCK │ │REAR │ Row 1: Lighting
│ │ BAR │ │LIGHT│ │LIGHT│ │WORK │ │
│ └─────┘ └─────┘ └─────┘ └─────┘ │
│ ┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ ┌─────┐ │
│ │ AIR │ │DIFF │ │DIFF │ │ TC │ Row 2: Off-road
│ │COMP │ │FRONT│ │REAR │ │MODE │ │
│ └─────┘ └─────┘ └─────┘ └─────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
Switch Panel Options¶
| Style | Size | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carling Contura | Standard | Industry standard, tons of options, replaceable | Common, everyone has them |
| sPOD style | Proprietary | Integrated, clean | Locked to sPOD ecosystem |
| OEM blanks | Varies | Stealth look | Limited to OEM sizes |
| Custom CNC | Any | Unique, exact fit | Cost, lead time |
| Switch-Pros | Proprietary | Touchscreen option | Cost, complexity |
Recommendation: Carling Contura V-series (rocker) — universal, lit, waterproof, huge selection of legends/icons.
Panel Mounting Options¶
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Dash center (below radio) | Easy reach, visible | May interfere with HVAC |
| Console top | Natural hand position | Crew cab console depth? |
| Console face | Hidden but accessible | Harder to see |
| Overhead console | Out of the way | Neck strain, less accessible |
| A-pillar pod | Racing look | Intrusive, visible from outside |
Decision needed: Panel location and switch count
Zone E: Overhead Console (Optional)¶
Location: Headliner, above rearview mirror
Good for: - Map/dome light controls - Garage door opener - CB mic clip - Compass/temp display
Not recommended for frequently-used controls — awkward reach.
Transfer Case Selector¶
The TC mode switch deserves special attention — it's used often enough to need good placement but shouldn't be accidentally bumped.
Options¶
| Style | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Rotary knob | Positive detents, OEM feel | Needs panel space |
| 3-position rocker | Compact, fits aux panel | Easy to bump |
| Separate switch pod | Dedicated, visible | Another thing on dash |
| Floor shifter look | Classic T-case feel | Fabrication, space |
STU TC Controller input: Verify what switch type STU expects — momentary, latching, or rotary encoder?
Wiring Considerations¶
Switch Panel to MASTERCELL¶
All aux switches in Zone D connect to MASTERCELL inputs via a single harness run.
Recommended approach: 1. Build switch panel with pigtails 2. Run one multi-conductor cable to MASTERCELL location 3. Use Deutsch DT or Weatherpack connector at panel for serviceability
Wire gauge: 18-20 AWG sufficient — these are signal wires, not load wires
Backlighting¶
Carling Contura switches have: - Independent lamp: On when switch is ON (shows status) - Dependent lamp: On when panel lights are on (backlighting)
Connect dependent lamps to parking light circuit for automatic backlighting with headlights.
Panel Design Checklist¶
- Count total switches needed (currently ~8-10)
- Choose switch style (Contura recommended)
- Choose panel location
- Design panel layout (switch spacing, rows)
- Select switch legends/icons
- Plan wire routing to MASTERCELL
- Decide on backlight color (amber? red? white?)
Open Questions¶
Decisions Needed from Owner¶
| Question | Options | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aux panel location | Console top / Dash center / A-pillar | Affects panel size |
| Switch count | 6 / 8 / 10 | More = bigger panel |
| Backlight color | Amber / Red / White / Blue | Match cluster? |
| Diff locks? | Yes / No | Adds 2 switches if yes |
| TC switch style | Rotary / Rocker / Dedicated | STU compatibility? |
| Headlight switch | OEM rotary / Push-pull / Toggle | Dash panel design |
Pending Infinitybox Response¶
- Can inVIRONMENT coexist with Vintage Air controls?
- Any switch recommendations from Infinitybox?
Parts to Source¶
| Item | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carling Contura V-series rockers | 8 | Qty TBD based on final layout |
| Switch panel housing | 1 | 4x2 or 6x2 configuration |
| Switch legends (laser-etched) | 8 | Match functions |
| Panel mounting bracket | 1 | Custom or universal |
| Multi-pin connector | 1 | Deutsch DT 12-pin or similar |
| 18 AWG TXL wire | 50 ft | Assorted colors for switch runs |
Reference Images Needed¶
- Photo of dash left switch area
- Photo of center console
- Photo of column stalks
- Measurements for panel sizing
Next Steps¶
- Take photos/measurements of switch mounting areas
- Finalize switch count and panel location
- Order switch panel housing and switches
- Create wiring diagram for switch panel
- Build and test panel before final install
Related Documents¶
- MASTERCELL_INPUT_MAP.md — input assignments for each switch
- POWERCELL_OUTPUT_MAP.md — what each switch controls
- ELECTRICAL_PLANNING.md — system overview