Installed my overhead console today.

[Fhantazm]

I installed this today. WHAT A PITA!!! I have a 91, and as you know it is not provisioned for an overhead console, so I had to do some sheetmetal cutting. There are now sheetmetal shavings all over the inside!! I ran out of daylight, so Ill go sweep it out tomorrow. Anyways. Heres a pic of the finished product. Ill try and get better pics tomorrow.

 

[X~FACTOR]

Sweet! Looks like a lot of work to get that fitted and have everything wired up. Good going!

 

[RiverRat]

Looks good. bet it took some work to get it to fit that well.

 

[Fhantazm]

Both of you are correct. I have the permanent metal shards in my hands and arms to prove it!! That was the hardest part, cutting into the sheetmetal to get it to line up correctly. The wiring was pretty simple.

 

[JPA1982]

could u give a quick write up on the wiring if u wouldn't mind, i'd appreciate it, cause i'm planning on doing this soon, thanx

 

[Fhantazm]

Heres my writeup:
I got the console and temp sensor from a 96 Explorer, off ebay for $41. I then made a cardboard template a little smaller than the console, and traced it onto the headliner. I then took a sharp knife and cut the headliner, exposing the inner roof. Heres where it became a pain. I eyeballed the mounting braket to make sure it was lined up between the visors evenly, marked the slots and drill holes and went to work! The mounting plate is held to the roof by 2 screws and the console is attached to the mounting bracket by 2 plastic "fingers" with push clips on the ends. The "fingers" are pretty deep so you have to cut into a sheetmetal support bar on the interior roof, to allow for the depth. I took a small drillbit to drill the pilot hole. Then went to a 1/2". I then reemed the hole out more, and took some metal shears to make it larger and rectangular. This was the most time consuming and difficult part of the whole project. Im sure there is easier ways of doing this, but I was working with what I had. After that I installed the temp sensor in front of the radiator and ran the wires through the cab via a grommet in the firewall. I then ran all the power, ground and dimmer wires under the headliner and down the drivers side a-pillar. I got my constant/switched power, ground and dimmer leads from my car stereo harness. This method is the easiest and also provides a fused connection for the console should something go wrong. I then tested everything, took the metal clips off the "fingers" so i could do a test fit without it being premanantly installed. All looked good, so I pulled it back down, reattached the clips, prayed and pushed it up. The rest is history. Now I must tell you that because the roof is not provisioned for this console it does sit a little lower in the front than a 93+ but it is barely noticible. Theres also a similar writeup with wiring diagram and calibrating instructions here, but for a 93+.

And heres a writeup with wiring diagrams for 93+ installations.

http://www.explorer4x4.com/overhead.htm

 

[Fhantazm]

Here are a couple more pics in the daylight

 

[JPA1982]

aprreciate it a lot, i am buying one off ebay myself right now, will come in handy. i have 97 xlt so hopefully its a lil easier.

edit: correction, i won the auction thanks to cable modem, lol, have to feel for those who don't have it when it comes to auction sites, have my overhead console in soon!

 

[dgibson]

think I might have to check into doing this. wonder how much I can get one at a junk yard for.

 

[Fhantazm]

JPA1982-Great! Yea cable modems definitley make the difference. How much did you end up getting it for, and did you get the temp sensor? Also yours is going to be a cinch to install. Just run your wiring, cut yoru headliner and attach!


dgibson-Go for it man! Your a 93, so you probably have the slots and screw holse already there. Should be much easier.

 

[JPA1982]

i picked it up off ebay for 47 shipped to my door,
i know where a few X's are that have these at junk yards near my school, but no one would ever call me back to tell me how much they wanted for them,

dgibson, so if u want one and can't find one, let me know and i'll try and go push the guy at the yard more for it,k just keep in touch with me

 

[Fhantazm]

Did ya get the temp sensor with it??

 

[JPA1982]

not sure, hope so, lol
is it part of the wiring harness or what?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...Check+Status&item=2463919776#ebayphotohosting

did i get screwed?

 

[JPA1982]

to anyone who is looking, better deal then i got, lol oh well
grey console overhead with bracket
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2464175913&category=33695

 

[Skeets'91EB]

Looks good, did you paint your dash?

 

[Fhantazm]

Originally posted by JPA1982
not sure, hope so, lol
is it part of the wiring harness or what?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...Check+Status&item=2463919776#ebayphotohosting

did i get screwed?

Not screwed, per se, but you didnt get the temp sender. Its a seperate piece that looks like a cigar that goes in front of the radiator. Also, it doesnt appear that you got the mounting bracket, either. Try and find those 2 items on ebay, theirs usually an abundance of those, as well.

EDIT: I just emailled one of my sources to see if he can get you a temp sender as well as a mounting bracket.

 

[Fhantazm]

Originally posted by Skeets'91EB
Looks good, did you paint your dash?

The only thing on the dash that is painted is the little plastic around the 4x4/low range buttons. I put a little blue on there.

 

[JPA1982]

that would be great if u could pick those up for me, let me know when u find nething out how much and stuff

as always appreciate it greatly.

 

[Fhantazm]

No problem man, will do!

 

[JPA1982]

ok so i am in the middle of doing this mod, have the linder cut, and the console in temp. neway,
i have a 97 xlt 4x4, do all these yrs come with the temp sensor already, dumb questoin this is the temp sensor right? or neone know what it is, came from behind grill, just in front of radiator, had same wires as the console, blue/yellow & blue/white?