Steve,
I just finished installing my console upgrade this past weekend. It came out real good and works like a charm. I spent some serious time on the wiring...soldered all connections, ran wires hidden, etc...
I used a bunch if info from a couple of threads on here. There is one with some good responses from 'mikefox'. You can do a search for overhead consoles...There was one about 2 weeks ago that mikefox responded to that includes a wire diagram...especially of the plug from the console and what each wire does.
I followed this diagram...labled all wires very carefully and it all worked great.
-I would strongly recommend you get the mounting bracket from Ford. I bought mine for $10 new at the dealer. I don't see any other way to mount it. I also picked up a temp sensor from Ford. It was about $20 You will need to buy lots of wires to run. I used 20Ga wire I bought at Radio Shack...a 3 wire spool bundle ( I ended up needing 2 packages).
I DID NOT have the vehicle harness/plug either so I ran all wires to the senders/connections. I used flat spade connectors and soldered them to the wires. You can get by with crimp on connectors...but I have never had good luck with them...they always loosen up over time. I used spade connectors so I could always remove the console later on for service.
-I clipped off each wire at the console plug (about 1" from the plug) and labled each one carefully. I used that diagram from the thread. Hold the plug facing you and you will notice there are like 3 wires on one row and 5 on the other. Use this orientation to figure out where each wire goes. Since they are all black wires, except 1 white wire (the overhead lamps) you need to take time and label carefully.
-I did not use the VSS wire.
-I have an existing overhead light so I just popped it down and splice into its power wires for the 2 light wires (one for light when door opens and the other for switched spotlights. The diagram colors are correct for which does which. I ran these 2 wires through the headliner up to the new console.
-I pulled my radio out of the dash and hooked into the power wire for the pwr line and the radio light wire for the dimmer. Very easy...took all of 5 minutes.
-I ran new temp wires from the front under bumper area...around the fender...under the brake booster...the through a grommet under the brake booster. That wire then goes behind the kickpanel, up the A-pillar and under the headliner to the console.
-My ground wire hooks to one of the 2 screws that hold the bracket in place.
--I used a straightened coat hanger to feed all these wire runs. (through the firewall grommet and under the headliner)
-I searched carefully under my front bumper and actually found the temp sensor plug mounted to the radiator support. I clipped it off and hooked my temp wires to the plug.
I hope this helps some. I spent 2 slow days running wires. It was actually fun...I like wiring things up. If you are interested in anything I did...post back and I can explain any of it in more detail.
Cutting the headliner was the scariest part.
Ken
