Tiller Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Has anyone removed the dash panel in front of the steering wheel? I understand that in some European models this is actually a small compartment. I'm interested in seeing if I can remove it so I can mount some switches on it and run the wiring down behind the dash. Thanks! Tiller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Here is the link to the Thread on that panel and what they do in the EU http://fordtransitconnectforum.com/topic/5243-storage-compartment-above-instrument-cluster/ Tiller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Pull the panel directly towards the back of the van like you are sliding out a drawer. It is difficult to grab, but it will unclip and pull out. Tiller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiller Posted September 23, 2017 Author Share Posted September 23, 2017 2 hours ago, Don Ridley said: Pull the panel directly towards the back of the van like you are sliding out a drawer. It is difficult to grab, but it will unclip and pull out. Thanks Don!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiller Posted September 23, 2017 Author Share Posted September 23, 2017 I wonder if I could order that one part from Europe and if it would be a direct replacement? Assuming of course I order the hinge assembly with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiller Posted September 23, 2017 Author Share Posted September 23, 2017 I'll probably pull that panel in week or two. It might be possible to "modify" and hinge the existing panel so it serves the same purpose. There are some nice dash switches available that I think could be mounted on that panel for easy access by the driver. One of those switched FZ-blocks that Don had posted about would fit in that space I'm sure. It's a short run to the battery for power for it. The wires could be worked down behind the dash maybe. Being able to open that panel easily would be nice for accessing any wiring needs or changes. I'm thinking something along the lines of this, but I'd want maybe even a lower profile. This would be mostly for extras like exterior floodlights, maybe additional interior lights since the stock interior lights pretty much suck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted September 23, 2017 Share Posted September 23, 2017 If you go to Ford UK and get to the parts section the whole thing is most likely available Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtn Posted September 24, 2017 Share Posted September 24, 2017 I wonder why did Ford leave the compartment out of USDM units. Not that it’s a cheaper car in the US. And the headlight adjustment knob while we’re at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 I can't say anything about the compartment . The head lights are done according to DOT Rules so we can blame them for the head lights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 On 9/23/2017 at 10:18 AM, Tiller said: the stock interior lights pretty much suck. Replace them with LED lamps. It will make a big difference. I replaced all of mine with red LED, to preserve night vision, and gives the interior more of a 70's shagging wagon ambiance. You could also pick up a couple of 5 meter LED light strips in any color that you want, and just run them on the same circuit as your existing interior lamps. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0145YY9IU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s02?ie=UTF8&th=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 https://smile.amazon.com/SiriusLED-Extremely-Chipset-Interior-Courtesy/dp/B0186P1MUW/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1506313665&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=w5w+3030+led Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrm223 Posted September 25, 2017 Share Posted September 25, 2017 ^ Even better for the LED rope lights is get the RGB ones so you can pick & choose your color randomly - or even strobe if you're at a party somewhere, haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted September 26, 2017 Share Posted September 26, 2017 A lot of those RGB sets come with a remote control for your "party in the back". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiller Posted September 30, 2017 Author Share Posted September 30, 2017 I've had the LED strip lights for months now, in both blue and white. I just haven't gotten them installed yet. Time.. time.. time... I probably won't screw with headlights at this time. No overpowering reason to spend the money right now. i will wait until a bulb blows out and it needs replacing. Unless for some reason I start having electrical issues and need to lower the overall draw on the system. But I'm not seeing any now. I'd rather spend the money on off-road lights to mount on the roof rack rail and mount the switches on that panel on the dash. I have pulled the panel and found that once it's removed, if I remove the two rear clips from the panel and reinstall it, it is much easier to remove. The fit still seems fine and I'm not getting any additional noise or vibration from having done so. I've got about 1000 miles on it now since I removed the rear two clips and no issues. Once I get the switches in and fully wired, and I don't see a future need to access the panel very often, I'll reinstall the rear clips again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I wish that dash panel didn't stick out as far as it does. It blocks my view of the dash. @Tiller - did you consider adding switches to the area at the center of the overhead storage area, like the pic below from another vehicle? In the TC there's a storage compartment for glasses for some TC models, not mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiller Posted October 1, 2017 Author Share Posted October 1, 2017 I have the sunglass compartment and the control buttons for the skylight screen up there. BTW: the sunglass compartment looks like crap. The Honda and Acura models have a much nicer and simplistic design for their sunglasses holder. I have thought about putting them up top but was thinking that when wiring up multiple switches, running the wires up in the dash would be easier than up the pillars into the overhead area. Of course it depends on what is being wired. But that was my thought anyway. If it blocks your view have you considered taking it out and and cutting some of it back? You might be able to do a passable job yourself or you might need to cut it and then take it to a shop to have it recovered or otherwise redone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 19 hours ago, Tiller said: I have the sunglass compartment and the control buttons for the skylight screen up there. BTW: the sunglass compartment looks like crap. The Honda and Acura models have a much nicer and simplistic design for their sunglasses holder. I have thought about putting them up top but was thinking that when wiring up multiple switches, running the wires up in the dash would be easier than up the pillars into the overhead area. Of course it depends on what is being wired. But that was my thought anyway. If it blocks your view have you considered taking it out and and cutting some of it back? You might be able to do a passable job yourself or you might need to cut it and then take it to a shop to have it recovered or otherwise redone. I agree, harder to wire up plus your panel is already in use. Mine's a waste of space being a blank panel. Thanks for the option of fixing that dash panel, but that would be too drastic for me to take on. I never look at the analog gauges (speedo and tach). Kind of a waste for me. I check my speed with the center digital speedo. I think the whole dash design lean towards style over function. I did consider a heads up display but haven't done any research beyond a quick glance. G B L and Tiller 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G B L Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Style over Function! Is this your first Car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTCOne Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 On 9/30/2017 at 11:18 AM, Tiller said: I've had the LED strip lights for months now, in both blue and white. I just haven't gotten them installed yet. Time.. time.. time... I probably won't screw with headlights at this time. No overpowering reason to spend the money right now. i will wait until a bulb blows out and it needs replacing. Unless for some reason I start having electrical issues and need to lower the overall draw on the system. But I'm not seeing any now. I'd rather spend the money on off-road lights to mount on the roof rack rail and mount the switches on that panel on the dash. I have pulled the panel and found that once it's removed, if I remove the two rear clips from the panel and reinstall it, it is much easier to remove. The fit still seems fine and I'm not getting any additional noise or vibration from having done so. I've got about 1000 miles on it now since I removed the rear two clips and no issues. Once I get the switches in and fully wired, and I don't see a future need to access the panel very often, I'll reinstall the rear clips again. On 10/1/2017 at 2:32 AM, Tiller said: I have the sunglass compartment and the control buttons for the skylight screen up there. BTW: the sunglass compartment looks like crap. The Honda and Acura models have a much nicer and simplistic design for their sunglasses holder. I have thought about putting them up top but was thinking that when wiring up multiple switches, running the wires up in the dash would be easier than up the pillars into the overhead area. Of course it depends on what is being wired. But that was my thought anyway. If it blocks your view have you considered taking it out and and cutting some of it back? You might be able to do a passable job yourself or you might need to cut it and then take it to a shop to have it recovered or otherwise redone. Tiller - Based on these posts, it sounds like you have the Panoramic glass. I have been considering putting the LED light strips on the black edges around the glass but above the shade. Then they are hidden from view, but could add some nice lighting at night, which is when i typically have the shade open. I keep it closed during the day, too much sun and heat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Those strip lights can also be wired up to strobe. Then you can mount them on the windshield and back window for warning lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiller Posted November 1, 2017 Author Share Posted November 1, 2017 On 10/3/2017 at 1:27 PM, FTCOne said: Tiller - Based on these posts, it sounds like you have the Panoramic glass. I have been considering putting the LED light strips on the black edges around the glass but above the shade. Then they are hidden from view, but could add some nice lighting at night, which is when i typically have the shade open. I keep it closed during the day, too much sun and heat... That's a good idea. I'll have to look at that. I never thought of that. It would be nice when sleeping in the TC to have overhead lights. I'll check that out. Thanks! Tiller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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