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Topic: Switch panel design (Read 5743 times) previous topic - next topic

Switch panel design

I've always wondered, what was Ford's reasoning behind putting the power mirrors, windows and seat(s) controls in between the seats? It's something unique to the Fox platform.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

Switch panel design

Reply #1
It's taken me a long time to get used to everything being there .... I still go to roll the window down from the door

I think they just tried to make things fancy

Switch panel design

Reply #2
in a way, it's nice that everything is at your fingertips, and it does eliminate the need for a separate switch for the passenger side window, but I think the seat-mounted switch is more intuitive. The way they're laid out, just by feel, you don't know which is the front tilt and which is the rear tilt, plus I see people, especially with the full console, accidentally bumping the main seat joystick, and catching the driver off guard.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

Switch panel design

Reply #3
Must just be that Im used to them, but ive never had a problem not getting the right switch. Of coarse this is my 4th 87-88 Tbird and 3rd that had the full console.

Switch panel design

Reply #4
power seats are essentially useless. just get rid of them and forget about it.

I'm going to be moving window and mirror switches over to the door on my bird.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Switch panel design

Reply #5
Quote from: Haystack;425597
power seats are essentially useless. just get rid of them and forget about it.

I'm going to be moving window and mirror switches over to the door on my bird.

Now see I disagree about the power seats, I like having the adjust-ability to get me in the perfect angle and position for comfort. Coarse it may not help that Im 6'5"!!!

Switch panel design

Reply #6
Quote from: Haystack;425597
power seats are essentially useless. just get rid of them and forget about it.

Quote from: Tbird-fanatic;425599
Now see I disagree about the power seats, I like having the adjust-ability to get me in the perfect angle and position for comfort.


Yes, the power pass seat is totally frivolous. Pwr driver seat, however does help the driver's visibility and comfort. But they are a hassle in a 2 door. I've mentioned before, that Pwr locks on a 2 door Ford are not a necessity, pull the handle, unlocks/opens the door, plus these cars aren't all that wide, so it's nothing for me to lean over and pull the handle to let someone in.
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

Switch panel design

Reply #7
What has always bugged me is that the window up and down seem backwards. Or is it just me?

 

Switch panel design

Reply #8
Yeah some go one way, some go the other
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.


Switch panel design

Reply #10
Express down?
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.

Switch panel design

Reply #11
The switches between the seats was done for cost savings. With power windows between the seats you only need one set of switches, instead of a set in each door. It also makes for a much simpler wiring harness, especially for the driver's door (with switches in the door, wires must be run between the driver's door switch and every window in the car). This is not unique to Ford. A lot of manufacturers do it - some mount them in the console (older Saturns), some mount them in the dash (Mini, PT Cruiser, Liberty, etc). Some even go so far as to only have power front windows with manual rear ones (older Neons, some older Mercedes cars, and I seem to remember some older bottom feeder Toyota cars as well).
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Switch panel design

Reply #12
No, like I said, it only eliminates the switch on the front pass door.

79-86 Mustang/Capri 'verts as well, I've seen them with 4 crank windows, power in front, crank in the rear, and all 4 power.

Neons and PT Crusiers also had a funky hvac fan speed switch setup, the switch went a/c:4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.


Switch panel design

Reply #14
woohoo!!! what do I win?
Current: 1986 Thunderbird, 105k 3.8/C5, 2 tone  Midnight Wine/Medium Taupe, wing windows, wire wheel covers.


Former: 1985 Cougar GS 115k Oxford White/Regatta Blue, 5.0, full console, 14" 8 hole aluminum T-Bird rims, Edelbrock valve covers.