Is it possible to add a 12v power outlet inside the center console? It's so cavernous, I would love to hide those wires for the cell phone, PDA, MP3 player, etc and run them out from the console to charge my stuff. Can I tap into the power for the rear cigarette outlet for something like that? Any ideas/thoughts are much appreciated!

Also, as a side note to hiding wires, is it easy to run a 1/8 stereo plug from my PIE adaptor to the center console?

Thanks a ton, and apologies if the questions are newbie! Just starting to get into mods here...

 

I would think you could tap off the rear cigarette outlet.. There is enough room back there for you to do your wiring...

You is is very easy to run the wire from your PIE to the center console. You will need to just pull the trim peice off around the shifter and there is a ton os space in there. You will need to drill a hole on the inside of the center console for the wire to enter.

What you could to is get a female 1/8 stereo plug and install that next to the cigarette outlet you are going to install in the console. All you would need then is a short male to male 1/8th cable to go from the plug to your MP3 player. That way when you dont have or MP3 player in the truck you dont need to have a wire hanging there.

 

you could easily add an outlet, with the outlet facing forward and mounted at the back fo the console. wiring that would be a breeze. I added an LED lamp for the console and tapped off of the 12v wiring back there. It works fine.

Adding the stereo plus should be pretty simple. it might be easier with a lariat over an XLT, but either is possible.

 

I have the XLT. No shifter in the middle. Just the carpeted hump and captain's chairs. Do I pull up the carpet? Run a hanger underneath it? Any suggestions from the geniuses here?

 

I would try the hanger under the carpet first before I pull it up. One thing is put some tape over the end of the hanger you are pushing under the carpet just incase you hit something like wiring you dont have a sharp edge to cut it.

 

OK, that's the same setup as mine.

Take your center console completely out. First remove the upper portion, that goes around the cupholders and lid. It snaps in place. Then remove the console lid. That makes it easier to get in. Down at the bottom, there are 4 bolts holding the console in place. Take all 4 out. Disconnect the 12v plug in the rear of the console. Console simply lifts up and out. While you have it out would probably be a good time to install the new 12v plug.

Remove the center trim piece around the stereo. Start by popping out the cupholders, grabbing underneath the trim and pulling.
There's a black trim piece that's flush with the carpet with a fastener on each side, remove it.

Now you should be able to run a snake (or a coat hanger) along the side of the hump. You should be able to figure it out from there... good luck!

 

I ran my cable from the PIE to the console and it was pretty simple. I didn't need a snake or coat hanger. Just lift up the carpet slightly where the front of the console is and feed the cable towards the dash. I had enough play in the carpet that it made a nice fold and created a tunnel so the cable found its way easily. I don't have 4 wheel shifters on the floor.

I also ran the cable up through the console and through the solid black piece where the dog dish cupholders sit. When not in use the cupholders hide the wire. Fishing the cable up through the console was sort of a pain.

 

i do a lot of work installing lights in police cars and i've found one of the easiest ways to snake wires is use an old thin antenna with the ball on it. run it in from opposite the end you want your wire to come out, tape it behind the ball and pull easy....nothing to snag wires or tear anything.....most moulding / trim pieces on the ford and others pop in and are easily removed, just be careful. and alway try to wire anything as close as you can get to a GOOD power source such as the rear 12v......should not be a problem....just don't be scared to try.