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Yet Another Coin Holder Mod. (voltmeter & USB chargers)
Greetings,
Yup - Another Coin Holder Mod Thread - LOL.
Performed on my 2010 F-150 Platinum Screw with full floor console.
I've been eye-balling the 12 volt power outlet on the passenger side for a bit, thinking that something else would look a little better than the ****-type cover. As I have done the coin holder mod on my previous truck and figured why not do a double mod.
I found a couple of USB 3.0 quick chargers on Amazon that I liked. One has a voltmeter display and the other one I picked to sort of match with the same blue colored lighting. I selected the black faced outlets although they have some cool colors.
I had done a little research on removing / accessing the left and right trim panels. It is a bit of a pain to remove the full length center console and, I have not quite finished installing the top panel that covers the floor shift lever. It just won't go on so, I will leave it be and come back to fight another day.
After removing the right side trim panel, I was able to remove the 12 volt outlet and the trim ring with the hinged ****. I got a sheet of textured material from Amazon that could be used for car stereo installations. I used a two and one-half inch hole saw to cut out a circle. I then used a one and three-eights hole saw to cut-out the section for the USB Charger. The trim panel that I cut out fit very well.
On the driver's side, I removed the coin holder and cut off the "holder" part. That will allow the face plate to sit a little more even than without it and, gives it a little more stability.
On the passenger side trim panel I installed the dual charger, on the driver side panel I installed the dual charger with the voltmeter. I tapped into the 12 volt outlet power for both chargers.
The Before shot. I use the "Scosche" mount to hold my phone.
It's strong. I had the large flat metal piece behind a silicone cover and a plastic cover on my previous phone.
I have recently been using a 12 volt charging adapter that has a voltmeter display.
I removed the center console armrest lower mount screws using a T-25.
Lifting up on the center console top cover.
Removing the trim piece above the center console trim cover.
Continued below ...
Last edited by Stickman81; 03-09-2019 at 11:59 PM.
The truck had to be placed into gear in order to remove the trim cover this far.
Next, I disconnected the electrical connector for the cup holder and floor lighting controls.
Disconnect the electrical connector.
Remove both left and right side trim panels.
Gently pull outwards at the rear section.
Once loose, pull the panel rearwards to disengage the "hook" at the forward side of the panel.
This will give you access to the 8mm bolts holding the front side of the console.
There is one on each side.
**
NOT PICTURED - There is also one on each side at the back of the console.
Very easy to get to when you move the seats all the way forward.
You will see the oval cutout with the bolt head exposed.
I bought some trim removal tools from Harbor Freight to help with this.
Any excuse to get new tools, right? LOL.
Shot of the passenger side airbag "removed" in order to gain access to the two mount bolts that hold the trim panel on.
The lower one has already been removed.
These were a copper color.
I believe these were 7mm bolts.
Once the console has been loosened and slid rearwards, you can now gain access to the lower bolts that secure the trim panels to the dash.
There is one on each side.
The red arrow points to the approximate location.
Here is the passenger side trim panel removed.
At the very bottom you can see a black tab.
That is were the lower mount bolt fits through.
The back side of the 12 volt power supply.
A few taps and twists and it came out.
Here is the USB charging adapter with the cover installed.
I did not use the covers on either of the adapters.
The 1/8th inch thick sheet of plastic.
One side is textured, the other side is smooth.
Almost a perfect fit using a 2 and 1/2 inch hole saw.
2 1/2 inch hole saw.
1 1/8 inch hole saw.
After cutting out the trim panel with the 2 1/2 inch hole saw, I secured it to the work bench.
I was able to use the drill bit of the 1 1/8 inch hole saw in the original hole for alignment.
Ops check on the bench of the USB Charging Adapter with Voltmeter.
This also has a cover.
This cover has a cut-out to show the voltage display if you wanted to use it.
I did not use the covers for either adapter.
I did install them on the back side of the adapters should I ever want to use them in the future.
A good yank with a pair of pliers and the coin holder comes out.
The orange connector pictured is plugged into the back of the coin holder.
This is the connector for the four wheel drive selector should it be installed.
Coin holder with the holder part cut off and the face sanded.
The USB QC with voltmeter and trim panel awaiting installation.
Nearing the end of the installation. Shot of both adapters installed.
I cut the plug from the 12 volt adapter and wired both new USB adapters into it for power.
Power is constant but I don't believe I will have a problem.
I have been running a similar plug-in adapter with voltmeter for several weeks now.
If it turns out that two little LED displays are too much of a drain, I can install a switch to turn both off when not needed.
BTW - There are USB adapters with voltmeters that have an ON / OFF switch if that is something you would prefer.
Shot taken the next day.
Nope - I cannot get the silly center console cover to go on properly.
I will likely take some of it apart anyway to tweak on the driver's side adapter.
I think I can make it fit a little better,
If I can't get the console trim on, I will take it to the local body shop for them to try.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my how-to.
I hope it gave you some ideas to do something similar or inspired you to do a project you've been thinking about.
I finally figured out how to get the center console trim back on.
I had a lot of trouble getting the top trim cover of the center console to go back on. It came off easy enough but, with the console bolted down, it would not go back on.
Today I found that the trim piece separated into two pieces. A "base" type frame and the top cosmetic trim with drink holders and such.
The console had to be loosened and slid backwards away from the dash. Then, I was able to install the base frame with ease.
Installing the "base frame".
With the "base frame" snapped in place the console can now be slid forward and bolted down.
The "base frame" has two holes in the top that allow access to the two front upper mount bolts.
Installing the top cosmetic trim piece was a "snap".
03-09-2019, 10:17 PM
Yet Another Coin Holder Mod. (voltmeter & USB chargers)
