XLT console into XL

[97WillowXLT]

XLT console has the rear air + switches for it...

My XL doesnt...

When I put this in, with the harness for the switches and the hook up for the air (should be behind my ashtray now if i predict right) be there and everything go well together?

 

[JDraper]

The harness's aren't there from the factory. I put a long console into my '01 XLS a couple of years back, and you will need to get the harness and the front plate for the airbox below the dash. You will also need to make sure you get the floor mounting plates for the long console. They are different than the XL/XLS console. Unfortunately, the harness you need to do a "stock" installation is the complete wiring harness for the dashboard. Over $1100.00 new from Ford! . They didn't design it as a modular system so you could just plug it in. I ended up with a compromise setup. I wired in the A/C controls with my own wiring, and ignored the radio controls.

 

[97WillowXLT]

I have an afermarket radio anyway.....
I'm not worried about the people in the back controlling the stuff anyway now that i think about it...

All i'd really like to do is have the air blowing into the back when it's on...

but it isn't necessary... I'll just make a custom flat black panel or something where the switches are...

Do you have anymore details of the different in mounting???

Pics would be great, how many are there, etc? b/c some metal plates came with it...

 

[JDraper]

I don't have any pix, but here's something that I had written a while ago for someone else doing the switch:

The full length console has two bolts at the dash, two nuts under the cup holder area, and then it slides backwards off of two prongs that are under the armrest area of the console on the floor. The two prongs are on a plate that is riveted to the floor. You will need to drill out the rivets to get the plate off the floor. You will need the plate to re-install the console in your truck. The cubbyhole area (or info center, depending upon the console) just pulls off, as does the ashtray area. You will also have a large square wiring harness block that must be unbolted. This is under the front of the console. If you are putting this into a truck without a long console, you will also need to get the front cover off the heater to make the rear heat flow (if you plan on using it.) If you want the rear heater and radio controls to work, GET THE WIRING HARNESS OUT OF THE DASH!! I converted my truck from the short console to the long console, and the wiring is a PITA without the harness.

 

[97WillowXLT]

looks like i got everything but those plates....

I guess something custom is gonna have to be made

 

[FreeWheelin4x4]

Keep us updated Zero. I picked up a limited long console yesterday. Didn't have the plates nor wiring harness (who cares, AM radio anyway) but it did come with the bottom heater duct that I need to replace. My problem is the plates, if you come up with something custom, let us know so those in our shoes can benifit also. I don't have the time of day to think to myself, let alone fab something.

 

[97WillowXLT]

Will do....

I wish someone had a set of the brackets and could provide some measurements as a good starting point... that'd be cool.

 

[briwayjones]

How does the heat and air conditioning ducts hook up. You have the ducts at the front of the console but that duct is heat only isn't it? How do you hook into the AC ducts?

 

[FreeWheelin4x4]

The heater ducts that I got with mine are the bottom middle piece,detach the old one, attach the new one, attach it to the console and it works. I made sure of that before anything else, until I mount it though it's not stable enough to be trusted.

 

[97WillowXLT]

It looks almost as if cutting a hole in the current duct that's there and just fabbing something to hook them up would work just fine....

I dont think i'll try it though...air in the back isn't of worry to me, it heats/cools the back 100% fine now.

 

[briwayjones]

although that lower duct is just heat though isn't it? AC doesn't come out on the floor.

 

[97WillowXLT]

I'll try it tomorrow and see lol.

 

[FreeWheelin4x4]

You could cut and fab with plastic a duct into the console. Checked today (sinse I will shortly no longer have a use for the original.) and it works just fine. A bit of plastic or even a dryer hose may work. Culk the holes and seems and you're good to go. I used precut plastic pieces I hot glued together and reinforced with epoxy on the outside, let it dry and put it in place with the hole I made, used culk to seal it up and it works great with the console just put in place not secured.