Aux - prewire ?

[GTC-NOVA]

As Ford finally pulled my order with an ETA sometimes December... I am starting to look for add-on toys. Does anybody know if the AUX 1 to 4 are prewired and how difficult is to install for instance a xenon light bar in the front grille (http://sdhqoffroad.com/20visionxreflexfordraptorlightbarandmount.aspx)? Is the wire already there or needs to be done all the way from the cabin by a mechanic?

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

i havent even bothered looking at mine yet, i dont know if its different this year.........

but mechanics usually dont run wires in vehicles. they always come to us when they gt stuff like that

 

[Icecobra]

The wires will be run, colors may change but they still do the same thing... Its a PITA you have to connect the wires behind the glove box to extend tehm under the hood to that location... Its all color coded just very tight places to work... Not impossible my old fat fingers managed so almost anyone can...... And as per the quote below yes Ford does get hurled a few words of disaproval as this would ahve been much wasier if they had tied them together first then installed the dash.. If I needed to undo the dam things it is much easier to cut them than splice them... I dont know who thunk it up but should be fired..... Oh keep band aids, a little rag to wipe up the blood from the skinned knuckles... but I did get all 4 done at once, so dont do one and think ok im done, your not... The next accessory you ad and you will be behind the glove box again cussing at Ford.... and yourself if you dont do them all at once.....

 

[Dane]

To be clear, there is a set of 4 wires pre-run to a spot behind the glove box. The Aux switches have a set of 4 wires run to the same spot, but not connected (one per switch, owner's manual will tell you which color is which switch, also they are fused with different sizes, but you can change them). This is the serious PITA referenced above. So, if you want an Aux switch to ultimately run to under the hood, you have to complete the connection by connection the wire(s).

It's a serious pain because it's so tight and you have so little extra wire. Make sure you pull the panel off the side and remove the glove box.

I recommend one beer first, be prepared to be furious and have bloody knuckles unless you have little girl hands. There was much swearing at Ford engineers when I did mine.

 

[c-ne-elk]

Again more clarification, there is a wire coming from the uplifter switch to the glove box and at this same location there is a wire going from the glove box through the fire wall to the engine compartment. You have to make the connection behind the glove box.

Another suggestion (that I did not do but regretted it later) even if you think you will never use all the uplifter switches, make the connection to all four wires at one time. That way if you ever need the other 3, this connection will be made. I use 3 switches currently and did them at 3 different times, cussing the person from Ford that decided not to make this connection in the first place.

Did we mention that it is a PITA to make this connection?

Do a search of the forum, there are some great video's and step by step instructions of how to do this and what the amp rating of each switch is, they are different.

 

[Steele16]

If you cut one piece of tape you can pull.the wires about 4" out of the side of the dash by the door... It's pretty easy after you do that. I think my whole light bar project including all the wiring and mounting the bar took.about 45 minutes.

 

[GTC-NOVA]

The wires will be run, colors may change but they still do the same thing... Its a PITA you have to connect the wires behind the glove box to extend tehm under the hood to that location... Its all color coded just very tight places to work... Not impossible my old fat fingers managed so almost anyone can...... And as per the quote below yes Ford does get hurled a few words of disaproval as this would ahve been much wasier if they had tied them together first then installed the dash.. If I needed to undo the dam things it is much easier to cut them than splice them... I dont know who thunk it up but should be fired..... Oh keep band aids, a little rag to wipe up the blood from the skinned knuckles... but I did get all 4 done at once, so dont do one and think ok im done, your not... The next accessory you ad and you will be behind the glove box again cussing at Ford.... and yourself if you dont do them all at once.....

DAMN...!!! I don't care about the beer...that's plenty...but the work looks daunting...requiring a techie...!!!

 

[Steele16]

DAMN...!!! I don't care about the beer...that's plenty...but the work looks daunting...requiring a techie...!!!

Its really not that bad... I'll pop my side cover off and take a pic later tonight. Its not bad at all.

 

[Icecobra]

This is really simple just a pain in the arse to do... Colors are there you will find 8 wires behind glove box, I did not find tape to cut for mine to pull out. Smashed fingers cant see the wires easily while soldering and tieing together... Very doable even for the most tool challanged... Four wires are together from upfitter switch and four from engine compartment... I have big fat fingers and do not flex like I used to.... But there is a certain satisfaction saying I did it....

 

[cayenne]

If you cut one piece of tape you can pull.the wires about 4" out of the side of the dash by the door... It's pretty easy after you do that. I think my whole light bar project including all the wiring and mounting the bar took.about 45 minutes.

I don't know what went on when they wired your truck, but I cut anything loose that I could and they still don't reach outside of the dash. I got extra slack by cutting the tape, but nowhere near what you are talking about.

I think you may have gotten a longer run of wires! I'm envious!