Ditching the push/pull headlight knob

[JeremyAlan]

Yay, more weird and off the wall mods for the Yellow Cobra lol. I've been wanting to do this mod since I had my '98 GT back in 2009. The detents between parking light and headlight wear out. Plus the design is dated and isn't helping the interior look any more modern.


So, in steps another OEM manufacture with a small headlight knob that will fit in our SN95s. The one I have is a VW part # "5KD 941 431 A" and I chose it because it has no automatic function and a rear fog function. I require the rear fog function because I'm living in the UK. I got the switch from ECS Tuning for $50 [ LINK HERE ]


Here are some photos with the Cobra.

First hurdle to tackle is the back lighting in the switch is red and as we all know Ford used a green lighting scheme. So, I've cracked open the switch to verify what LEDs are on the board so I can order them and swap them out.

I'll keep the thread updated as I go. What do you guys think?

 

[1slow50]

anything has to be better then the pull out switch that they used for like 20 years. I have a 95 gt and it has the same interior as my buddies 03 cobra, REALLY y would they keep it same??? change it up a lil bit

 

[ElrodKTPQ_89]

Cool idea ready to see how it turns out!

 

[1997GT4.6]

That's an awesome idea! That VW piece looks like it will look clean in the dash. Make sure to update this thread! Definitely going to follow this.

 

[ttocs]

are those surface mounted or through the board?

 

[Burninrock24]

Looking forward to this! But wtf is a rear fog light? Why are they required?

 

[JeremyAlan]

are those surface mounted or through the board?

Surface mounted


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[JeremyAlan]

Looking forward to this! But wtf is a rear fog light? Why are they required?

It's a bright red light on the rear of the car separate from you brake/tail lights. You will see the red glow through the fog long before you'll see the car. It's UK law to have one. I have a thread about it.


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[ttocs]

Surface mounted


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Get ready to have some fun!

 

[rz5.0]

Wonder if there is a ford one that could be a close replacement.. like the later suv's

Enviado usando mi SHP-L710 usando TapaTalk

 

[OnyxCobra]

I think this is a sweet idea, i briefly thought about doing this with a newer style ford switch but wasn't sure how to make it work. I'm interested to see how it comes out.

 

[ttocs]

Also curious how you will mount it? If you had the part it slit into it would not be too had too cut/glue it in place and smooth everything out but with out it good luck...

 

[GT3FC]

wow thats an awesome idea very intereted to see the end product

 

[Ferocious]

You always come up with the coolest ideas Jeremy. Looking forward to seeing how it pans out.

 

[CC'S95GT]

something different.:thumbsup:
good luck. definately suscribed.

 

[Walking Tall]

Should be really cool! Mine keeps falling off and it makes me mad. Can't wait to see it.

 

[JeremyAlan]

Also curious how you will mount it? If you had the part it slit into it would not be too had too cut/glue it in place and smooth everything out but with out it good luck...

I know desoldering and resoldering the LEDs is going to suck haha.

I was going to mount it with a piece of PVC and some brackets. It will be hard mounted to the dash structure just like the current switch. The instrument cluster surround will just require a hole to be cut in it for the switch to protrude through.

 

[DropTopPony]

Looks like the switch in my wifes Escape minus the rear fog thingy.


I see a lot of the euro cars on the road here particularly Volvo and Saab with the one extra bright rear light that really does stand out in bad driving conditions.

 

[duh09]

You must really have nothing to do over there... haha kidding kidding, its a sweet idea! I was thinking about something like this myself for my 67. I'm wanting to put a push-button start in it, the heater I've got planned has a sweet little control panel and the headlight switch would be the only "old" part left. Wonder if I could find one much smaller to fit on the 67 dash without being too obtrusive...

Can't wait to see the final result.

 

[JeremyAlan]

Got the switch back from a guy who works on circuit boards. I had him swap the red LED's for yellow-green ones. Apologies for the shit pic quality lol