Hey guys,
I'm sure this has been asked to death in the past, but I was wonder what have you all done for switches in your Super Duties. Ive got an '02 and Id like to add some lights to it but don't want the switches to look out of place or just throw in. I wouldn't mind adding the upfitter switches but for you guys that have done them is it worth it? Ive seem some guys swap out the lower dash but the grey never seems to match real well, and this truck is my baby and I'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to it. I tried searching the forum and didn't really find much, so lets see what you guys have done!

 

I got the F-650 lower dash from Riffraff Diesel(Riffraff Diesel Custom Auto Dash Kit). I had them (Clay) paint the lower dash (sent him my interior code) and it was almost a perfect match. My dash is 14 years old and has countless layers of cleaner/protectant and it has lived its life in the CA sun. There's no way to get a perfect color match. A few coats of Meguiar's and some time living in the truck and it will look OEM.

IMO to have the switches not look "out of place" or "just thrown in" you will either need an upfitter kit for later trucks or a mounting plate. Both of those options require dash cuts (that can look out of place or thrown in depending on your level of expertise). For me mounting several individual switches would fall under the "just thrown in" category. You also have to consider that even though there's space on the dash to mount switches you have to also have clearance behind there to mount the switches and run the wiring (which is not always the case).

Even if the color came out off it was worth the lower dash to have everything look professional (with lots of mounting/wiring room) as there are only a few places to mount more than individual switch in the dash (depending on the options your truck has). At almost a decade and a half old my truck has had plenty of life experiences and battle damage that are going to make it impossible to match anything to it. As much as I'm OCD about just about anything I do to the truck (everything takes me 4 times longer to install because I measure 15 times and cut once...and that doesn't include all the research I do before even buying it) I am happy with my lower dash purchase.

Since you have a manual he also has one for that too (Riffraff Diesel Custom Manual Dash Kit)

 

I was looking at those yesterday, and it looks like they have been discontinued by Ratliff diesel. It looks like it would have been a good option.

 

They're not discontinued...just out of stock. It is a popular item. He usually sells out in a short period after getting them in stock. If you can add it to your cart then he has them in stock. If you can only add it to your wish list then he is out of stock. The web page says it can be a 4-6 week wait for the next batch to order. If you are interested keep checking back or you can call/e-mail him to find out when he expects more. I waited a few weeks from when I was ready to buy until he had them in stock. Well worth the wait IMO.

 

Here's a link to Springer Pops add on, up fitter switches on his 7.3. Not sure if your dash is similar but maybe this can help with ideas.

http://www.springerpop.com/F350/upfitters.html

 

You can buy the same dash, minus switches, from some Ford dealers,
then put what you want in it.
I bought mine from a Ford dealer.

Much cheaper, too.

 

True. I opted for Clay's because it came painted, inserts installed, Carling switches (with labels), and switch wiring pigtails. Top notch. I ordered several styles so he left them out (at my request) so I could snap them into the switch plate in the order I wanted.

 

I also used Carling switches, They are very versatile.

 

Thanks guys, I will look into Ratliff diesel option. I also like the write up you posted R2Millers! Both are good options and thinking outside the normal hacking holes in the dash.