I want to add 3 switches to the area that is occupied by the panel to the left of the red arrow, How does it come out?

 

Best I can figure is a dremel. I've been eyeballing that spot for a while wanting to do the exact same thing with some locker switches and such. If you figure it out, please post up your results!

 

That looks like a molded piece, not a panel.

 

Depending on your year model, that whole section of the dash cover pops right off. After 03-04 somewhere in there, there are screws above the stock radio. Since you no longer have the stock radio in yours, you can likely grip it and rip it to pull that whole piece straight back toward you to make it easier to cut it out and install your switches.

 

That should pop out. That would be where the electronic 4x4 switch goes.

 

I can confirm that on my 1999 2 wheel drive, that small section in question does not pop out and the back is solid without any outline to match the outside. However, like I said before the entire large piece surrounding the radio and gauges does pop out with no screws on mine.

 

find someone with some wood working skills and have him make a wood frame with the opening smaller than the outline you are pointing to......use the wood frame as a guide for a roto tool to cut a nice hole out.....get some nice switches and have the wood guide made to mathc the needed hole...mount the switches on a black piece of plastic...screw the black plastic into the new hole ....mount the balc plastic in the back...nice chrome bolts from the front....simple.

 

On my 06 it pops right out and snaps back in with no problems.

 

You mean that small section pops out or the whole dash trim?
Is your truck 4 wheel drive?

 

Just the square panel. It's a "blank" for those trucks without auto 4x4. It was also an excellent access point to get to my flasher when I went to led turn signals I had to get an electronic flasher. My truck is 4 wheel drive but has manual locking hubs.

 

I've got a '99 2wd and I swear that square doesn't come out without some persuasion from a dremel. I figure when I go to install my switched, I'll very carefully measure where my hole needs to be and carefully drill a hole for the switch to mount so it all looks clean. It might pop out on the later models, but it just doesn't pop out on the '99's.

 

I removed the upper dash, the panel does not pop out, it only appears to.
I will use a Carling 3 switch panel to install in that area, like this picture.
The Carling part number is VM3. They also make a single switch panel (VMS),
as well as a 6 switch panel and a modular panel.

 

Tks for the pic. It looks like the carling units will make for a clean looking install.

 

I watched a video that showed how to pop the headlight switch out of the dash.
Wrong year video. It broke the front off the switch and I had to buy a new switch.

I removed the entire dash panel, radio, radio adapter, passenger air bag switch etc.
I reinstalled the headlight switch and airbag switch, so I can drive it enough to get my new shocks installed.

I've had my door panels off several times but still don't know the proper way to put them back in, so the top doesn't jump back out.

Which hooks should be attached first?

 

Bump .