How To: Long Console Install (Pictures!)

[sloop]

Little side note, any clever ideas on what to do with the ash tray bulb I found.. Never even knew I had it.

- Dom

excellent job - so far

i understand that fighting that radio wiring battle might be a little rough - but we DO have to connect that light for the 'rear integrated control panel' - if someone can guilt you into cleaning that carpet, i should be able to guilt you into connecting the light

this is from my ford cd from my 95 - it matches up with the other connections you made so this should be the same - ground wire is black/light green - simple enough - you already have a ground

the positive is light blue/red - that circuit powers the hvac light, radio light, message center and overhead console - should not be that hard to find one

but if you can't, the instrument illumination positive is also a red/black (the ash tray light should be a red/black positive and a black ground) - taping into a red/black circuit should work if you can't find a light blue/red

now if you get REALLY industrious and have a stock head unit, i could e/mail the wiring diagram for those radio controls...

(actually it does not look that hard to do - but we'll let that slide if you get that light working)

 

[DjDom]

excellent job - so far

i understand that fighting that radio wiring battle might be a little rough - but we DO have to connect that light for the 'rear integrated control panel' - if someone can guilt you into cleaning that carpet, i should be able to guilt you into connecting the light

this is from my ford cd from my 95 - it matches up with the other connections you made so this should be the same - ground wire is black/light green - simple enough - you already have a ground

the positive is light blue/red - that circuit powers the hvac light, radio light, message center and overhead console - should not be that hard to find one

but if you can't, the instrument illumination positive is also a red/black (the ash tray light should be a red/black positive and a black ground) - taping into a red/black circuit should work if you can't find a light blue/red

now if you get REALLY industrious and have a stock head unit, i could e/mail the wiring diagram for those radio controls...

(actually it does not look that hard to do - but we'll let that slide if you get that light working)

Oh, I actually assumed that the rear controls don't light up. I'll hook it up next year I guess, since it's already very cold out and I don't have a garage to work in.

And, I'm not to concerned about the rear radio controls so much as the CD Changer I got in the console. If you could send me those in a pm or something, that'd be great!

 

[just1me]

Your console has the 6 disc cd changer? A while back I bought a full length console out of a 97 Mountaineer had the 6 disc cd changer as well, when I got the console I also got the wiring harness from the cd changer to the radio, but it wouldn't work with my 01. So I just used the console and put the cd changer and cd changer harness in a box in the closet.

 

[sloop]

 

[sloop]

 

[sloop]

 

[DjDom]

Yeah.. way more work than it's worth. I'd have to run wiring from the controls, to the amp. Not worth it.
And if I swap out my radio for an aftermarket one, it won't work anyway.
I'll leave it not working I guess.
I'll hook up illumination though, I guess. Just gotta figure out how.

 

[just1me]

Yeah when I got my console it had 2 separate harnesses, 1 for the console itself for the power outlet, rear air/heat/radio controls, and then a separate harness that ran from the cd changer all the way to the radio itself. I couldn't use it because the 98-up radio is different than the 97-down, and mine also didn't have the plug for the cd changer on the back of the radio.

 

[DjDom]

Yeah when I got my console it had 2 separate harnesses, 1 for the console itself for the power outlet, rear air/heat/radio controls, and then a separate harness that ran from the cd changer all the way to the radio itself. I couldn't use it because the 98-up radio is different than the 97-down, and mine also didn't have the plug for the cd changer on the back of the radio.

Exactly. The console I took was also from a 2000, and the CD Changer harness is for a 98+.
So, I can't run it in my explorer, since I don't have a 'plug' for it.

I do have a CD changer button on my radio, so there is some hope. But, I have no idea how I'd hook it up.

 

[just1me]

On the back of some radios there is open slot for the cd changer to plug into. You could switch out to a 98-up radio if you wanted. To bad you don't live close by I'd give you the harness I have, I have no use for it, or the cd changer.

 

[DjDom]

On the back of some radios there is open slot for the cd changer to plug into. You could switch out to a 98-up radio if you wanted. To bad you don't live close by I'd give you the harness I have, I have no use for it, or the cd changer.

Oh, I have the harness for the cd changer that plugs into a 98+ Radio.
But I don't want to swap my 97 radio, since they use a different system. The 98+ has amp built in, 97 has amp separate in the back, which I prefer since mine is swapped.

 

[just1me]

That's true I had a 90's Sable in the past had the JBL system with a subamp as well that sounded pretty good. If you need it though, I got a free harness and cdchanger, otherwise it will just remain a closet ornament.

 

[DjDom]

That's true I had a 90's Sable in the past had the JBL system with a subamp as well that sounded pretty good. If you need it though, I got a free harness and cdchanger, otherwise it will just remain a closet ornament.

I've got both already just sitting around. I know people here look for the CD changer cartridge sometimes. Or sell 'em on eBay.

 

[just1me]

Yea personally if I could afford it, I would rip out my stock headunit and replace it with another better stock Ford 6 disc in dash headunit, but for now I'll keep rocking the stock cd/cassette unit.

 

[DjDom]

I'd swap in a nice touchscreen head unit.
Probably going to do that eventually, if money permits.

 

[just1me]

That would be pretty nice, I like the ones with GPS navigation.

 

[Camacorn]

Sorry for reviving a REALLY old thread, but a lot of other people are linking to it, so in some aspect, it's still alive.

I had a question regarding rear AC since I'm going to get a full length Willow Green console soon, if I grab that floor vent for it, will the AC work for the rear as well? Also, will I have to use the floor setting on the HVAC for the rear to work?

Thanks!

 

[DjDom]

The AC will work after having it on for a while. Yes, you have to have the HVAC set to floor/feet.

 

[Long$hot]

What vehicle is the long console originally out of? I just purchased a 2005 Sport Trac with this same console but the inserts are broken and the rear controls are not working. I appreciate the wiring information, which should enable me to get that part up and running. But I wasn't sure which model the console came out of to begin looking for the replacement inserts. Thanks for your help.