Custom concealed switch panel.

[christophbmw]

So ive always loiked the "OEM" look of the E30 interior dash area. So when it came to adding switchs for various gadgets it was hard on finding placment for switches as to not disturb the factory look. i have always pondered the thought of putting concealed switches in the ashtray. That said check out my project:

ps, my camera sucks so mind the pictures, its looks WAY nice in real life!


starting from the left: first button is a momuntary red pushbutton to flash my 55W backup lights, second switch turns on my concealed radar detector (custom built into the service reminder indicator lights on the dash, looks heklla bitchin.....more on that later), second button turns on a concealed trunking scanner (so i have ears on the local authorities.....and so i can listen to airplanes), third switch activates my two front mouted missile launchers (no joke), the two small red buttons on the right are momuntary buttons to launch either one of the two missiles (more on that later too). the three center sqaure buttons have a green "on" led light so i know when they are "on".


heres the look when its closed.


heres a picture of the back, i should have taken it after i finished the curcuitry....in the picture it is full of silicone glue for protection.

anyways just thought id share, it took me awhile to build so any comments welcome and sorry for the poor quality pics, writeups on the custom radar detector, and missile launchers (just for kicks) are coming soon!!!

[AL GReeNeRy]

sweet job.  ill be messaging you for some wiring help on something like that in the near future

[ak96ss]

Looks nice!

Me, I just added a few extra euro two-button foglights to the blanks above the radio. Doesn't give you the momentary contact, but other than that it works well.

[christophbmw]

Looks nice!

Me, I just added a few extra euro two-button foglights to the blanks above the radio. Doesn't give you the momentary contact, but other than that it works well.

ya i have two euro fog switches and i thought about that too. i already put one it the fog light spot but havent connected the 2nd button for anything yet :rolleyes:.

[BrandC]

GB for the twin front-mount missile launchers lol?

[n2motorsports]

GB for the twin front-mount missile launchers lol?

i'll take the seat ejector/missile package

very nice work, i use to have my lighter double as a kill switch

[christophbmw]

i will youtube the first launch and post......definetly going to wait untill it rains (just in case .

[jpod999]

That's pretty awesome.  Definately want more info on this 007 action.

[AL GReeNeRy]

i'll take the seat ejector/missile package

very nice work, i use to have my lighter double as a kill switch

howd you do that? i always wanted my stock lighter to be a push start button and if you take it out you cant start the car..

[jpod999]

howd you do that? i always wanted my stock lighter to be a push start button and if you take it out you cant start the car..

Now that I could live with.

[kowalski]

howd you do that? i always wanted my stock lighter to be a push start button and if you take it out you cant start the car..

that wouldn't be too hard to wire up assuming you were still using the key. basically you need to run the starter wire through the contacts for the posative and negative, then when you push down the lighter it completes the circuit and powers up the starter.

break down, one end of the starter control wire from the igtion into say the posative connection for the lighter, the continuing piece of wire that actually goes to the starter on the negative side. when you push down the lighter it connects the circuit.

I think the second way i worded that makes a little more sense...

[christophbmw]

that wouldn't be too hard to wire up assuming you were still using the key. basically you need to run the starter wire through the contacts for the posative and negative, then when you push down the lighter it completes the circuit and powers up the starter.

break down, one end of the starter control wire from the igtion into say the posative connection for the lighter, the continuing piece of wire that actually goes to the starter on the negative side. when you push down the lighter it connects the circuit.

I think the second way i worded that makes a little more sense...

and if you used diodes you could make the lighter curcuit still functional.

oh forgot to add: i also installed two red lights (not LED's) to the upper section of the center console storage (under the heater controls) and you turn it on with a switch (which is also concealed under the heater controls). looks nice at night when i need light, and it matches the instruments, i will post pics when im done with this project (and do a writeup since 90% of the parts where bought at radioshack or my local hobby shop).

[DaveM-sport]

Thats Brilliant!!!

Might give the cig lighter start button/immobiliser a go. Only problem with it I see could be I'll have nowhere to stick my phone charger in:rolleyes:

But I could make up a hidden plug for that too somewhere.



Out of curiousity? I suppose the headlight clusters flip down for the missles:p

[gearheadE30]

Dang, you're doing all of the stuff that I've been wanting to do but am too lazy! I like the rocket idea, and one of my friends is trying to buy a large mortar mounted to a trailer off of ebay right now...

How did you wire up the rear fogs? Are the wires already there, like the front fogs, or does it have to be custom?

[christophbmw]

How did you wire up the rear fogs? Are the wires already there, like the front fogs, or does it have to be custom?

i havent, i might use the button for something else.