Looking for a dash location for an aftermarket USB outlet

[John E Davies]

I would like a better USB solution than the two low powered, hard to reach Ford ports, this unit has a manual on off switch! (I need a switched source for my Garmin gps.) Any suggestions? There sure isn’t a lot of spare space in these Rangers..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHS5J4C...0L5VZEWU&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I might 3D print a simple bracket out of black ABS and put it in the inboard corner of the phone slot between the two glove boxes - but that will be a lot of extra work if it would flush mount somewhere else. I would power it using an “accessory hot” fuse in the driver side fuse box . Any comments are very welcome..

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

Sponsored

 

[1996-to-2025]

Do you use the wireless charging pad? If not, you could remove it and use that space. Might even be able to use the power lead, but it may not have enough power.

 

[John E Davies]

Do you use the wireless charging pad? If not, you could remove it and use that space. Might even be able to use the power lead, but it may not have enough power.

I do use the pad all the time. The power source is not a problem, but the receptacle location is…. Also, I forgot to mention, I prefer to not disturb the factory ports or block them.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[Aemonn]

Certainly not a lot of space.

There is a lot of empty space up under the passenger side dash. You could hide it up under there and then run a USB extension cable to a small flush mount port which would give you more options as to where you can cram them in.

Something like this:

USB
https://www.amazon.com/URWOOW-USB3-0-Square-Flush-Mount/dp/B07J4SY7BB?th=1

USBC
https://www.amazon.com/NFHK-Waterproof-Dustproof-Extension-Dashboard/dp/B0BM9LYR91

and I would probably use something like this to deliver the power instead:
https://www.coolgear.com/product/usb-power-delivery-60w-high-power-industrial-adapter-charger-ccg3pa

There are a variety of options to choose from. There is a more expensive automotive specific version that might be worth considering.
https://www.coolgear.com/product-category/usb-chargers/usb-charge-only

 

[el_sabio]

Someone in the Facebook group did this

 

[John E Davies]

Someone in the Facebook group did this

I considered doing that, but I need a manual switch and I was unsure about how to get power up there, is there a hot wire up there that can be tapped into? I could add a mini switch in the vertical face of the trim near the Airbag warning lights.

The downside is that it gets crazy hot in that location from the sun, I bet that the USB power supply will not live very long.

FYI there are a few USB adapter cables with inline switches available, I tried two variations and neither provided enough amps for my gps to work correctly.

Thanks for all the comments.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[superj]

can you wire it on the side of the center console? there is lots of room under the console top and you should be able to get power run from the fuse box fairly easily.

 

[Aemonn]

I considered doing that, but I need a manual switch and I was unsure about how to get power up there, is there a hot wire up there that can be tapped into? I could add a mini switch in the vertical face of the trim near the Airbag warning lights.

The downside is that it gets crazy hot in that location from the sun, I bet that the USB power supply will not live very long.

FYI there are a few USB adapter cables with inline switches available, I tried two variations and neither provided enough amps for my gps to work correctly.

Thanks for all the comments.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

If you used the the OVRHD mount from AAL (https://americanadventurelab.com/product/ford-ranger-ovrhd-mount/) for your GPS, you could install the usb receptical up on the mirror housing like i've seen comes stock on AUS model rangers.

I'd use one of those power supplies I linked to earlier, throw it under the dash with a 6 foot extension up the passenger A pillar, tucked behind the headliner and over to the mirror shroud. On the input power to the power supply I referenced, add an inline switch and put that switch somewhere on the dash, or jump on the 5A overhead toggle switch (I think SW 1).

I'd personally add a new new switch, probably left of steering wheel to keep things simple and avoid extending that circuit above the dash.

I've seen some driver side switch panels for AUS model rangers. Unfortunately all for right hand drive layouts. While looking that up again, I came across this which might be an option worth looking into.

https://gpc-offroad.com/products/stedi-switch-panel-ford-ranger-next-gen-ford-ranger-everest

 

[John E Davies]

can you wire it on the side of the center console? there is lots of room under the console top and you should be able to get power run from the fuse box fairly easily.

I prefer up higher. The side or top of the center console is risky for plugged in cables.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[John E Davies]

I can’t use an overhead power source, my gps is mounted low.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[superj]

I prefer up higher. The side or top of the center console is risky for plugged in cables.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

that is the only concern i could think of, maybe banging the cables with your thigh and breaking the ends off

 

[stormrider151]

I would like a better USB solution than the two low powered, hard to reach Ford ports, this unit has a manual on off switch! (I need a switched source for my Garmin gps.) Any suggestions? There sure isn’t a lot of spare space in these Rangers..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHS5J4C...0L5VZEWU&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I might 3D print a simple bracket out of black ABS and put it in the inboard corner of the phone slot between the two glove boxes - but that will be a lot of extra work if it would flush mount somewhere else. I would power it using an “accessory hot” fuse in the driver side fuse box . Any comments are very welcome..

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

There is a 12 volt receptacle in your center console under the arm rest. you could just plug a USB adapter in that and run your wire through the console to your GPS. I'm curious about your mounting rail. I have a 24 XLT and have been looking for something like that.

 

[superj]

There is a 12 volt receptacle in your center console under the arm rest. you could just plug a USB adapter in that and run your wire through the console to your GPS. I'm curious about your mounting rail. I have a 24 XLT and have been looking for something like that.

https://www.tackform.com/collections/ford-ranger-2024-2025-traxx-collection

 

[josephp732]

What about wiring in a 12V to 5V USB converter? Just remote mount the box, hardwire it to an ignition switched power source and connect it to the Garmin.

https://www.amazon.com/Klnuoxj-Conv...msclkid=5acaa148e7ad13a0eff1c9d5197d840e&th=1

Sponsored