Upfitter Switch Wiring Questions - Diesel Forum

homepukes · 02-25-2008, 12:32 PM

I am trying to hard wire my radar detector to one upfitter switch and my Garman to another upfitter switch. I am wiring female connectors to the truck wiring so I can plug in my detector and Garman without destroying the male connector. My questions are:

1. Is using 10 and 15 amp switches okay? In otherwords does the detector and Garman just pull as many amps as they need or will there be 10 or 15 amps going to the unit at all times. I am pretty sure they draw only as much as they need and 10 or 15 is a max draw and will blow a fuse. I just don't want to find out the expensive way.

2. Where do I ground the wiring? For instance, the brown wire is the only wire and I assume the hot wire. I expected to see a ground wire with it but there isn't one that I can find.

DslDav · 02-26-2008, 10:04 PM

Yes, whatever you connect will only draw what in needs to run. The upfitter switches are rated for the max allowable draw for the particular switch.
No grounds go through the upfitter switches. You simply connect the ground to any metal framework to connect to chassis ground. Several options are under the dash near the upfitter wires.

homepukes · 02-27-2008, 10:06 PM

Thanks for the info, I knew someone would know.

homepukes · 02-29-2008, 10:40 PM

I got my radar detector and Garman hooked up to the upfitter switches today. The hardest part was getting the wiring through the dash and taking the dash apart without breaking anything. Everything works great and I don't have to worry about running the battery down if I forget to turn off equipment.

CM71 · 03-31-2008, 08:12 PM

I'm going to be installing an airlift kit - how hard was it to take the dash apart? I'd like to use the upfitter switches for this, as well, but don't think it is possible since I need momentary on and off switches.

homepukes · 04-01-2008, 09:28 PM

To use the upfitter switches you don't need to take the dash apart. The only reason I had to take the dash apart was to run the wires behind the dash. I just wanted a clean look with no wires hanging out. There is a link on one of these forums about what the wires look like and which switch each wire goes to. All four wires are under the driver's side dash behind the parking brake. The switches work like the light switch in your home. Flip it up and you have power, down and it cuts power off. Turn the key off and the power shuts off even if the switch is up. It works great for stuff like a radar detector or GPS because it will not allow you to run the battery down. I am not sure how it will work for your application. If you need momentary power you can just move the switch up and down. It was really very easy to hook the wires up. Next to my power folding mirrors the upfitter switches are one of my favorite options.

Harley350 · 04-02-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homepukes

To use the upfitter switches you don't need to take the dash apart. The only reason I had to take the dash apart was to run the wires behind the dash. I just wanted a clean look with no wires hanging out. There is a link on one of these forums about what the wires look like and which switch each wire goes to. All four wires are under the driver's side dash behind the parking brake. The switches work like the light switch in your home. Flip it up and you have power, down and it cuts power off. Turn the key off and the power shuts off even if the switch is up. It works great for stuff like a radar detector or GPS because it will not allow you to run the battery down. I am not sure how it will work for your application. If you need momentary power you can just move the switch up and down. It was really very easy to hook the wires up. Next to my power folding mirrors the upfitter switches are one of my favorite options.

Would you be so kind and email me the link? Thank You!

CM71 · 04-02-2008, 09:03 AM

homepukes,
Thanks for the clarification. We'll see how it goes once I get the airlift kit - I'd like to be able to use the upfitter switch to control the compressor (that sounds easy enough), but I will also have to figure out how to work in the air pressure gauge. The gauge might need to be in close proximity to the switch. I'd like to avoid mounting the airlift gauge with the supplied frame and instead mount the gauge in the blank panel beneath the switches, using an upfitter switch to control. I have the manual shifter for the transfer case, so there is just a panel and not an extra storage compartment in that area. If I have to use the airlift supplied frame for the gauge and switch, I'll probably end up mounting the whole thing in the console so it is out of sight.

homepukes · 04-02-2008, 10:12 PM

I don't have a link because I don't remember where I got it. I do have it saved on my computer so if you email me at homepukes@aol.com I will send it to you.

As far as mounting something in the console you could just use the power point in the console instead of using the upfitter switches.

jtment · 09-28-2008, 03:16 PM

So where would you start looking if you had no power at any of the 4 factory wires behind the emergency brake?

**Scottb NY** · 09-28-2008, 04:30 PM

it sounds like you are looking at the 4 pass thru wires from the engine compartment to the cab. If that is the case, look under the hood and they are taped up to the drivers side by the firewall. These are totally different than the upfitter switch wires. They are located behind the SJB AKA the fuseblock.

jtment · 09-30-2008, 01:18 AM

Hi there, no, I"m sure I got the right wires. At first, before I pulled down the fuse box, I did see the 4 wires under the hood. In fact I thought it weird that they were not shrinked up to avoid touching, then I found the other ends behind the fuse box, so I got the right ones. See my earlier post for an update. Thanks for your input. Those wires you are speaking of could easily be misleading..........

torino73 · 10-03-2008, 11:31 AM

Not trying to insult your intelligence here- but I think there is a section in your manual that lists a website to go to that has all the info you need regarding the upfitter switches. I have not attempted to use mine yet, so I haven't been to the site.

jtment · 10-08-2008, 08:56 PM

Hey there, no insult taken at all. I did see the site that the owners manual showed, however, it only shows the exact photos I've already seen from other posters. The site isn't real clear on the exact location of these wires. Only to say they are behind the fuse panel. Actually they were taped to the back of the fuse panel. I never even thought to look. Funny, I had more trouble trying to figure out what you called these switches when searching through my owners manual. I was looking for aux switches and the like. Who ever would have looked up "upfitter" I just happen to stumble on that discription.

cbrinkhaus · 11-06-2008, 10:26 AM

Stupid question to all of this. I'm looking to put some fog light in. How would I wire these to my upfitter switch? I have not done a lot of wiring so a step by step would help tremendously. Thanks in advance!!