I have one quick question, has anyone put an overhead console in a 2001 Ranger? I took the plunge and cut the hole for it today and from the pictures on John's install, it doesn't look like I have the same bracing in the roof that is pictured.

 

It has been done many times. Can you post a picture of yours?

 

 

that should be right but i would have to see it with out the headliner

 

Looks right to me. I have put them in trucks of nearly every year from 1998 to 2003 and though there are minor differences, they are all the "same" functionally. You made what looks to be a big hole though -- but it's hard to tell. Hope it's not "overkill" somehow. I usually start a bit smaller and work my way up to make sure the centering is right.

I'll say one thing though -- it IS nice and neat! Good job regardless. I think you're there -- it's just the color and angle of the shots that may be confusing you.

Keep up the good work!

 

That sure looks a lot like what John has posted at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/296394/3. His just might have a bit more fabric cut out in the front and the slots added in the roof stucture in the front. Take it slow and you'll get there.

Your 2001:



John's 2002:



You do have the sheet metal mounting bracket, right?

 

Man that looks scary..yall are brave..i gotta do it though!
Lookin good!

 

ya thats right. you really want to see something screwy my 1993 had something different but it still worked

 

Just do a nicer job than I did. It was cold the day I did it and I just whacked it. I did it a bit nicer on the other ones I did. That was the first one. None of them are really neat though since the headliner hole doesn't "show" -- or at least it shouldn't, lol!

 

ya and dont stop half way and go to the bar and then come back and try to cut the headliner i still cant beleave what i did

 

How close is the hole supposed to be to the outsides of the ohc? I mean are you only cutting the whole to get the bracket in there or what?

 

The hole is smaller then it looks. When I took the console out of the explorer at the jy, I made a temp-plate of the hole. The black outline is the actual hole in the explorer.
As for my other question, I took the sunvisor clip off and checked the depth and a screwdriver blade goes in about 2 inches before it touches the outer skin. I went to Menards for new drill bits and drill stops. Wish me luck.

 

Cool. Yeah, it needs to be big enough on one end to get the clips in evenly, and wide enough to be able to slide the bracket under the headliner.

There's really no "right" if it works -- the only "wrong" is the hold showing past the edges of the console.

I just used "butt splices" (yellow ones) as drill stops. I've got a lot of them laying around usually.

 

Knowing me..id go to far wide.

 

Just for reference on a sunroof version:

 

Just to let everyone know, I have everything done as far as cutting the hole, installing the mounting bracket and attaching the console for the first time. Everything fits perfect. I'm now in the process of adding longer wires to the harness.

 

Great!

Soon, you'll go to your truck, start it, and look up and exclaim, "NO WONDER I'M SO FREAKING COLD!!!" (single digits early this morning, lol -- probably worse up north there...)

 

sweet, good job post some pictures.

 

When you cut the slots be sure to cover the headliner with tape or something near the hole. I made that mistake. Cut them with a dremmel, and sparks burned a couple of little holes. Really don't show but I know they're there. Gonna get a new headliner soon, though.
Mine:

 

That's a good point about that. One guy was worried that the sparks would ignite something above the headliner, but I don't think it's that inflammable. The burn marks would suck though, for sure, even if it doesn't catch fire.

I may add that suggestion to my how-to on my site, thanks.

 

Here it is everyone, my console is completly installed. I want to say a "NBIG THANKS" to John for posting those great instructions on is install. If you folllow those you can't go wrong. I did have one thou, when I connected the two wires to the domelight, I connected them up backwards and blew #26 fuzz. Just reversed them, rep[laced the fuzz and the lights were on.

As for the install, I cut my hole about 4"s and 8"s at the widest points. Just wide enough to cut out the two slots in the mounting bracket. The bracket closest to the domelight was under the headlinner. This made it so when I screwed the console to the bracket, there were no gaps between the headliner and the console.

I followed John's method of drilling holes and then used a dremal tool to cut out between the holes, worked great.

I used 7 different colors of 16 gauge wire, so as not to be confuzzed

As for painting the console, which was tan to start with, all I used was "Testors" model car gray primmer and "Mist Gray Metallic" spray paint., figured if it is good enough for model cars it should work on plastic

Everyone wants pic's, so here they are.






I hope this helps everyone with questions on installing an overhead console.

 

man i want one...anything different for the 04+s, wiring wise?

 

why does it get wired to the VSS (vehivle speed sensor)? and where does the temp senser get mounted?

 

Hey, Len, I like your little color wiring diagram -- can I put it on my site?

And Stephan: the console has a function where it tries to keep the sensor from responding to engine heat. So, it looks for movement of the vehicle before it will allow the temperature to change (mainly going up) to keep heat that gets to it at idle and so forth from influencing the reading.

If you DON'T connect the VSS, as many of us have discovered, the readings will appear to "freeze" and you won't get the current temperature.

 

oh, thats what i figured, thanks john