Best 12 Volt Doo-dads?

[Erik the Awful]

I'm nearing the point where I'm going to reinstall the headliner and upper console on my stepside, and I have 4 switches in the console that currently go to nothing. I've been trying to come up with ideas for those switches.

Good ideas:
Cargo light


Possible ideas:
PA - my son's Crown Vic is in the driveway and has a PA system, but I don't really need it.

Chilled cupholders - Nice idea, but I don't want to have to modify the cupholders in my center console to fit them.

Heated mirrors:
I have the slightly larger swing-out mirrors, which are nice for towing. I'm also in Oklahoma, so they might get used twice a year. Not ruling it out yet.

Rear air bags:
It's a consideration.


Rejected ideas:
12v compressor - I have a 12v compressor from a junked jump box, but if I install it it's going to be under the bed with a switch mounted next to it, not in the cab.

Under-body lights - I'm not 18 any more.

Fog machine - see under-body lights.

Air horn - see under-body lights.

LED rack - I don't need/want them.

Winch - they usually have their own switches, and I wouldn't want to use it from the cab.

Exhaust cut-outs - I'm already running a 2.5" exhaust. It wouldn't free up any horsepower.

Seat heaters - I already have seat heaters and a very nice box for controlling them.


Anybody have any good ideas? Function definitely trumps form. The purpose of this truck is a lightweight highway hauler/daily driver.

 

[454cid]

Heated mirrors?

 

[evilunclegrimace]

what about running led lights under the inside of the bed rail to light up the cargo box

 

[Redneckgeriatric]

lock up switch for torque converter. fog lights. master switch (fused) for all 12v acc. electric cooling fan .

 

[Donald Mitchell]

Emergency drop down oxygen masks like the airliners have, For when you had Mexican for dinner.

 

[Erik the Awful]

Heated mirrors?
I have the slightly larger swing-out mirrors. Heated mirrors are a thought, but I'm in Oklahoma, so not really needed. I'll put it on my 'maybe' list.

led lights under the inside of the bed rail to light up the cargo box
Stepside. There's no "underside" to the bed rails, but a cargo light on the back of the cab is already on the list.

lock up switch for torque converter.
700R4, so that's a good consideration, but I'd forget and leave it on. I prefer automatic operation.

fog lights.
I never use them.

master switch (fused) for all 12v acc.
That's what the ignition key is for.

electric cooling fan
See lockup switch for torque converter. I already have a Mark VIII fan in the shop.


Since yesterday I thought about:
rear air bags - I could use up two switches, one for pumping up, one for releasing air. Since I'll be towing, it's a consideration.

Light-up "Stop Tailgating" sign - but some road ragers would get triggered. I don't need that.

 

[Gonzo406]

https://www.gmt400.com/threads/auxiliary-cargo-lights.38688/

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Boost, N2O, and an HP tune!

 

[Erik the Awful]

Boost... hmm... an electric clutch and the Eaton M90 I scored a few months back? No, I'm saving that for my rotary-powered Sunbeam.

I'm not a fan of nitrous. Too much kablooey, and if you manage to avoid that you still have annoying bottle refills to contend with.

Gonzo, nice work! That looks slick, but stepsides don't have rails like that. my inner bed sides are flush with the top of the rails. I'm going to stick with a single cargo light on the back of the cab.

I do appreciate even the silly ideas! If nothing else it's a bit of humor in a technical guise.

 

[454cid]

Ejector seats????