Console Switch Interchangeability

[Rich in Vancouver]

I would prefer picking up a set of switches complete with the panel as the price seems to be about the same as switches alone. I would use an aftermarket seat warmer kit with the factory switches although that would be a project for later.
Finding used 75/ZT seats here isn't possible and my existing seats are in near perfect condition anyway.

Well...Whaddya know. There is a thread from 2014 on this swap in the How-to forum. It covers pretty much everything except fitting heated seat switches to the console. It had some good tips like: The wiring for the hazard and lock switches comes from the console so it looks like it is a simple matter to relocate it to the switch panel.
Here's the link to the thread but unfortunately PhotoBucket has deleted the pictures.
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=177172

[Rich in Vancouver]

Result!
In the end I picked up a 2-hole switch panel on E-Bay, but had to settle for walnut finish plastic as I couldn't find one in Rhodium. The panel arrived yesterday so I popped my blank panel off and stopped by the local auto parts store to match the paint. Luckily they have a big rack loaded with rattle cans with the caps painted in the colour of the contents. I bought the closest match and painted up the 2-hole panel. It's very close, maybe a shade lighter than the original but close enough that it won't be noticeable.
Pulling the switch wiring back to the new position was a pain as it required removing the climate control panel for access and it was a challenge getting the fish wire through, but it's now in place with everything working.
Unfortunately as clf predicted the console is too shallow to take the heated seat switches so I will have to plug the holes in the old plate and repaint. Luckily I have plenty of time for projects at the moment!



UPDATE!
I found an easy solution. I had a brainwave and went to the garage and popped the bottom half off the switches. Now they don't bottom out in the console and neatly fill the switch holes. As a bonus the switches aren't ruined and can be reassembled if I ever install heated seats.

[clf]

Originally Posted by Rich in Vancouver

Result!
In the end I picked up a 2-hole switch panel on E-Bay, but had to settle for walnut finish plastic as I couldn't find one in Rhodium. The panel arrived yesterday so I popped my blank panel off and stopped by the local auto parts store to match the paint. Luckily they have a big rack loaded with rattle cans with the caps painted in the colour of the contents. I bought the closest match and painted up the 2-hole panel. It's very close, maybe a shade lighter than the original but close enough that it won't be noticeable.
Pulling the switch wiring back to the new position was a pain as it required removing the climate control panel for access and it was a challenge getting the fish wire through, but it's now in place with everything working.
Unfortunately as clf predicted the console is too shallow to take the heated seat switches so I will have to plug the holes in the old plate and repaint. Luckily I have plenty of time for projects at the moment!



UPDATE!
I found an easy solution. I had a brainwave and went to the garage and popped the bottom half off the switches. Now they don't bottom out in the console and neatly fill the switch holes. As a bonus the switches aren't ruined and can be reassembled if I ever install heated seats.

That is a really, really (to quote Trump ) good colour match.

If you have a stereo with a USB socket on the rear, maybe an extension cable to it, and mould in socket? Or wire one in as a charging point for a phone? Or now that you have the colour, just fill in the holes and blank it (but I would obtain another cover to keep as a spare to return it standard if ever you wanted).

[marinabrian]

Or get a four hole switch cover and have the seat switches in the correct place

Oh, decisions, decisions

Brian

[Rich in Vancouver]

Here is the console switch panel with the dummy heated seat switches in place. I could always paint them black to save confusion but I am not that easily confused...Yet!