so the 11-up explorer have the current ford standard (wheel style switch with buttons flanking) the flex has the old style switch (mid to late 00) and then the facelift in 2015 brings it to the same style switch as the explorer. I checked the platform siblings first and the f150 switch came up as a random result so i pursued that option. so far, as far as OEM is concerned, it appears to be the only one that matches and will in theory click right in. I will definitely update with progress/results.
@Ta2dResqr I prefer factory fit and finish as much as possible too, and with how clean the dash is on these cars (symmetrical, minimalist, concealed peripheral controls) i want it as clean and functional as possible.
As for the foglamp placement themselves,
@kryptto I recently discovered my car is NOT a PP, the wheels threw me when i bought the car and a revived thread gave me the info i needed to figured out its a non PP. That said, I dont want to block anything currently on the car or potentially added in the future, function is #1. I also thought about cutting in to the panels to either side of the lower grille but I dont want to cut in to anything that might be SHO specific and difficult to replace and now knowing the collision sensor is in one of them, i am not disabling that for the sake of lights. I'd have to consider the placement of the trans cooler if i decide to add it in the future (if someone could snap a picture of it and show me how it mounts and where) but im not totally discouraged from mounting it in the lower grille yet. the pic is an example of what I am considering, compact, less than 2" of height and roughly the width of the upper part of the lower grille. the reduced airflow from something this small would be somewhat of a worthy trade off considering the options and checks the concealment and no cutting boxes. but now I would need to see where the trans cooler attaches to make an educated decision. this unit paired with the headlight switch is clean and simple and gives me the extra visibility im after both on long dark roads and snow. I had also considered mounting 2 5" round 05-09 mustang GT fog lamps behind the upper grille so that Id have replaceable bulbs but I figured the air blockage would become an issue.
someone with a 3d printer needs to make fog lamp ready panels to replaced the DRL panels, adapt them to take fusion fog lamps and these problems go away. if I had any clue how to run a 3d printer (and of course owned one) Id make a kit with the switch, panels, lamps, even a harness with a relay. I can picture it in my head but I lack the equipment.
