Replace rear audio control ideas?

[Quxote]

Hi All,

I posted a thread about replacing the stock HU and had a great response I figured I would ask another question.

I understand that replacing the HU will render the rear audio controls useless, which is fine by me...I am actually glad my daughter will not be able to control the radio anyway. My question is this....had anyone done any mods to remove the control panel and replace it with something else. I am thinking of putting in a cigarette lighter to use as a power supply for my daughters DS oe something, but i would like to be able to keep the rear climate controls working.

Are there any kits to do this? Or if anyone has done it, can you post pictures?

I have a 95 XLT.

Thanks

Quxote

 

[Anime]

You can keep all your audio questions in the same thread, no need to start another for each question.

The climate controls should still work.

You can wire in a cigarette lighter, probably even a set of 2 or 3 so you can plug in AC/USB adapters, too. A really trick setup would be to wire in the AC converter and USB plugs as part of the panel, but that would be more work than just using AC/USB converters that plug into cigarette lighters.

You can do the mod by just getting a set of cigarette lighter plugs, either at the auto parts store, stereo shop, electrical supply, etc., or just getting one of the 3-in-a-row plugs at wallyworld or the auto parts store, and either removing the plastic housing and securing it to a panel that will take the place of the audio controls, or just use it as is and attach it in the space where the audio controls were somehow.

For power, you can choose to just use it by plugging it into the existing cigarette lighter plugs in front with an extention, or going all the way by splicing wires and wiring it into the stock cigarette lighter, or even making a dedicated fused link from the battery or fuse panel to the rear lighter plugs.

 

[Quxote]

I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a panel to replace the one in the truck without the audio controls.

Do you know if some Explorers have a panel there with JUST the climate controls and some empty space. Maybe from an Explorer without the JBL audio. Ideally that would be great and i could find it at a junk yard. This way I can just cut a hole for the lighter socket. I was thinking of a cigarette lighter and A/V jacks from the HU so a portable DVD player can hook up to it.

 

[Jothcra]

My Explorer does not have the JBL audio, but I still have the rear audio controls. I believe the rear audio controls came bundled with the long center console, but I could be wrong. I'm interested in doing something similar to this as well, so if you do figure out a solution be sure to tell us about it!

 

[Quxote]

I am gonna search a couple of junkyards to see if there are any Explorers without rear audio controls but WITH rear climate controls, That would be the best solution, my second option is finding a plate with no controls, or a piece of black plastic that fits and cutting new holes for the climate controls and a cigarette lighter.

 

[made126]

ac plug and 12volt plug

When I did this I used a piece of black plastic I had laying around and cut holes for my climate control and for power outlets(ac and 12 volt). Its a great place for these cause then you don't have to run the cords up to the front for your rear passengers. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the results.

 

[Quxote]

Great idea...do you have a pic of it?

 

[spabula]

I want to do something back there too..

I found these:

Which are roughly that small size 4.75" x 2.75". I might try it but i have to figure out something to do with the air controls........... hmmmmmmmmm

 

[spabula]

Ok. so i just tore into my console. there are two plugs going to the controls. one to the stereo controls and one to the fan control. the vent control is obviously manual/mechanically controlled.

So this what im thinking... I am going to try and mount the mini LCD where the control panel is. I am going to remove the interior cup holder piece (which i cant stand! every drink ends up on my floor!!) and mount the controls there from the back so it looks clean. Then fasten the cup holder closed. I dont need the stereo controls anymore. I took that whole assemble apart and i am going to remove all of the stereo controls from the control panel and mount the AV jacks for the LCD there as well as a USB power source. Well..... if i can figure the usb thing out.. it cant be that hard.. right? The wiring to the stereo controls has power and a ground controlled by the ignition soo thats good. Although if i gut the stereo controls out of the control assembly im gonna lose the back lighting for the controls. So i still need to figure that part out. maybe i can wire in some LEDs back there somewhere..............

This is all in the planning stages as of right now :

I ordered the LCD so I guess the first step is to see if it is even going to fit nicely where i want.

Any comments? suggestions? ideas?

 

[Jstcruz]

I'd like to see what this ends up looking like when you do it. I want to put a video system in my Ex for the kid, not sure if it would be better to do a removeable set up or install the headrest screens and all that. If nothing else I would want to just put a plain panel there.. that would be one of those bored unexpected day off kind of thing lol

 

[whitemage25]

When I did this I used a piece of black plastic I had laying around and cut holes for my climate control and for power outlets(ac and 12 volt).

I did something similar. I used a piece of black plastic from a plastic folder. I cut out the openings for the climate controls and an opening for a mic for my glass break sensor that I mounted inside the old audio control housing.

It should be pretty easy to put in a 12 volt power port, you can get one at most auto parts stores. I would just extend the power from the front point to the rear.