New panel to replace the silly cigarette lighter and card section

[Techedz]

So I removed the stupid flip-down cig lighter panel and card holder and replaced it with a cool panel I made on the laser and fitted an $18 fleebay Din1 tray. Waiting for my switches to arrive, then I can wire it all up to finish it.

I can see a market for these for NW owners! I could do custom labels and plug fittings. Mine is designed for 16mm switches from fleebay and uses the factory cigarette lighter and a spare commondore one I had lying around. I'll post a photo of it in the car when i get it all re-installed.

[cruisn06]

nice work man, that is a dead spot in the wagon for sure.

[m_and_m]

Nice work. One of the cig sockets could be replaced with USB outlets, or maybe in the NX relocate the ones in glovebox that connect to the display.

[Skinny03]

Side note: How did you get that plastic shroud removed? I have a switch blank, where your diff locker switch is, I want to install a USB charge port into.

[Techedz]

Side note: How did you get that plastic shroud removed? I have a switch blank, where your diff locker switch is, I want to install a USB charge port into.

Good question, I intend to do a write-up as the only console / lower dash centre instructions I could find were for earlier models or Tritons. It's easier to explain with the help of pictures but here's a quick word version.

This is from memory, when I put it all back over the next few days I'll document it properly with pictures.

I already had the centre console stripped but looking at how this bit comes out i think you can leave the centre console in place. I'm putting my remote mounted UHF under the centre console bracket with an extension lead and plug to the panel I made in the old cigarette lighter panel.

You have to remove the dash trim ends (just flip them out but leave in place). Then remove the big trim pieces that run vertically across the dash because there are screws behind them for the glovebox etc (just pull them out firmly).

Remove the panel under the steering wheel (I think it was held in with 2 x 10 mm bolts from memory).

Remove the glovebox (6 screws) and let it hang down.

You should then see a screw on top of each side of the centre section. Remove these and pull it firmly out (it's held in by four clips). Don't try to pull it right out, at this point I used a stuby screwdriver to remove the tray (I think?) so I could get down the back of it to unplug the heater and diff lock switches.

These are a couple of pics I took but I'll post a proper word doc for printing with step by step instructions and pics later in the week.
I'll take a lot more pics.

[Techedz]

Nice work. One of the cig sockets could be replaced with USB outlets, or maybe in the NX relocate the ones in glovebox that connect to the display.

All covered.
I have 3 pairs of USB plugs on either side. Also adding a double up on the dash near the speaker for the gps and phone and one up in the back of the overhead light for a dash cam so I don't have lots of cables going across the dash and windscreen. I like it tidy. All going to a dedicated fuse panel.

I'll do a writeup with pics when it's done this week.

[KeithN]

Impressive, well done mate.

[signo1985]

Yeah impressive job man!

For the non savvy when it comes to auto electrical....where do all those cable need to go?
Are you tapping into adjoining wires....straight into the fuse box?
Wouldn't mind doing something similar in the future.

[Mike DiD]

If I had put USB sockets in the Passengers Foot Compartment, the plugs would have been broken off within an hour of the starting the first long trip.

[Jimbo2]

Nice job!

[Jack ANT]

Yep definitely a market, so how much would the lighter socket plate cost? Cause I'd be keen to replace the crap single lighter thing with a plate that has 2 lighter sockets and 2 USB sockets.

[Gravel Seeker]

So I removed the stupid flip-down cig lighter panel and card holder and replaced it with a cool panel I made on the laser and fitted an $18 fleebay Din1 tray. Waiting for my switches to arrive, then I can wire it all up to finish it.

I can see a market for these for NW owners! I could do custom labels and plug fittings. Mine is designed for 16mm switches from fleebay and uses the factory cigarette lighter and a spare commondore one I had lying around. I'll post a photo of it in the car when i get it all re-installed.

Nice job. About to add some switches myself and have been wondering about how to go about it so this is great. Will use cat5 network cable as it's cheap and easy 6-lead-in-one-cable to feed switched power to the relay panel

[Techedz]

Nice job. About to add some switches myself and have been wondering about how to go about it so this is great. Will use cat5 network cable as it's cheap and easy 6-lead-in-one-cable to feed switched power to the relay panel

I hid a little ebay fuse panel under the console so I can get to fuses easily if any blow. The top lifts off easily to get to them (just need a Phillips to remove the auto gear lever).