I want to get into the cigarette light plug to rewire it. Right now on 06 it's non switched and I need to put it on a key switched circuit. I use it for my radar detector and keep forgetting to unplug the detector. Had it plugged in while I was away on a trip only to return to a dead battery. I just can't figure out what or how take apart to get behind the cigarette plug for rewiring it. Perhaps there is already a threat showing how to take apart the dash in that area, but I couldn't find it.
Any help is greatly appreciated.......

 

If you are going to take the time to rewire everything why not hard wire the detector cord to a switched supply which will leave your cig plug for other uses. You also need to be careful as the cig power also powers the OBD scan port on most of our trucks. I am not sure if this is the case on the 06 but you might want to check.

 

Thanks... wouldn't want to screw up anything on that front! Perhaps someone knows if rewiring the plug to a switched circuit would pose some problems. It's not like I can't use the plug in anymore, it's simply on a switched circuit so I can't see how that would hurt anything? Hopefully someone knows the answer and how to take apart that dash....

 

I don't know for sure how to rewire the cig. lighter, but I just hardwired my detector down at the fuse box (use a multi-meter to find a switched source) and it took all of 30 minutes and was very simple.

Some Radar detectors also have a auto-power off mode, after 30 minutes of the ignition being turned off they'll power down, check your manual to make sure there isn't an option for this on yours as well.

 

I know how rewire if I can the get dash pulled apart to reach the plug in. Just not sure how to take apart a 150 dash? I know everyone of these comes apart a certain way but I haven't been able to figure this one out. BTW.. this is detector doesn't have the auto-off feature unfortunately. I'm hoping that someone has taken apart the dash and can point me in the right direction...

 

Rather than rewiring the cig lighter, why not use an Add-a-Circuit (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=071-585) and a cigarette lighter jack (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...mber=265-237)?

I hooked up the Add-a-Circuit to fuse no. 22, which is the one with the delay for the radio, and hooked up my Sirius satellite radio to it. I dropped the glovebox and ran the wiring back up in there. It works like a charm.

 

You know that sounds like an excellent idea. Where did you install the new cigarette plug? I think this should work well and keep my factory plug for whatever...

 

I mounted it inside the dash, behind the glovebox. I routed my wiring up behind the radio and out of the tray atop the dash. I'm having some work done on the truck now, but I'll post pics as soon as it's back.

 

Great... I'd like to see where you installed it. I already ordered the parts tonight.... thanks...

 

Are you going to mount the radar detector permanently? Where is that going to sit?

BTW, I should be getting my truck back tomorrow (long story why I'm without my truck for 3 days for tires, but there you are - at least I have a Lariat loaner).

 

No I won't permanently mount it. I usually just stick them to the windshield (suction cup) and let it rest on the top of dash. BTW if you don't mind me asking what happened with your tires?

 

I use an Escort Solo S2 cordless Radar/Lazer detector. No wires for me. The batteries last about 3 weeks.

 

It's kind of a convoluted story, but you asked! My brother-in-law owns a dealership upstate NY. I'm in Southern NJ, about 3.5 hours away. (I'm a Ford guy and I buy all my vehicles from him.) He found me the FX4, and was going to put new tires on it. We only had one weekend we could get together for me to pick up the truck, but he hadn't gotten the tires yet. He told me when he got them he'd come and pick it up, leave me a loaner, and drive it back up to put the new tires on. He drove 2.5 hours to my office on Monday, worked on it today, and is driving it back tomorrow. Certainly not the simplest solution, but it doesn't bother me. The Lariat I'm in is pretty nice.

 

Damn nice of your brother to do 5 hours of driving to get your tires on. I doubt mine would drive 5 minutes! Yea I have FX4 myself the Lariat was a little to rich for me, but it's really nice. You won't want to give it back....
Be sure and post the pics when you get your truck back...... and thanks again for the suggestion........

 

He had the '05 FX4 and the '06 Lariat on his lot at the same time. Mileage on each was comparable, and the Lariat had some of the fancier upgrades (leather, audiophile stereo), but I went for the FX4 for two reasons: color -- Dark Gray vs Sand -- and the $3K difference in price. I've got to say that after driving the Lariat for the past two days, I'm happier in my FX4.



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