Is there a way to run a usb cable through the dash easily?

[RyanStroeder]

I ordered the Offroam Wireless Charging Magnetic charging mount. It (obviously) needs to be plugged in to power the wireless charging.

https://getoffroam.com/en-ca/products/magnetic-charging-phone-mount-kit-ford-f-150-2021-2024

I could always default to running the cable from the 12V 20W charger, but it would nice to come up with a solution that is stealth and doesn't have a loose cable laying around.

Has anyone tackled this first world issue before?

Thanks!

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[amschind]

Yeah, you can fish wires though the dash, but it's a pain. You need a coat hanger, eye protection, some extra blood, and a friend. Running RCA low levels from the back of the AV receiver to my amp under the seat was the most frustrating thing I've done with this truck so far, beating out the "bench press method" of re- and uninstalling skid plates without a vehicle lift.

 

[RyanStroeder]

Yeah, you can fish wires though the dash, but it's a pain. You need a coat hanger, eye protection, some extra blood, and a friend. Running RCA low levels from the back of the AV receiver to my amp under the seat was the most frustrating thing I've done with this truck so far, beating out the "bench press method" of re- and uninstalling skid plates without a vehicle lift.

haha understood

 

[Zedbra]

Tap the fuse panel under the passenger kick panel, run a wire to a USB switch or plug, then run it up to the cubby on the top of the dash. It's easy to get that cubby off and the glovebox comes out real easy - making it simple to fish a wire through. I added a Builtright dash mount and mounted the switch to it, but you can simply mount a USB switch to the cubby if you like. Super easy.

 

[RyanStroeder]

Tap the fuse panel under the passenger kick panel, run a wire to a USB switch or plug, then run it up to the cubby on the top of the dash. It's easy to get that cubby off and the glovebox comes out real easy - making it simple to fish a wire through. I added a Builtright dash mount and mounted the switch to it, but you can simply mount a USB switch to the cubby if you like. Super easy.

Nice! thanks, this is a good start for me. I just need to figure out the fusing (like you say) and then find an appropriate 12V to usb module? I wonder if I can run it through the vent to keep it ultra clean?

 

[mau47]

Nice! thanks, this is a good start for me. I just need to figure out the fusing (like you say) and then find an appropriate 12V to usb module? I wonder if I can run it through the vent to keep it ultra clean?

I am actually just finished doing something similar. I am using this fuse tap running off of fuse 36, it turns on and off with the ignition so it doesn't drain power when the key is off. I went with this plug tucked behind the glove box. I like that it gave me flexibility of USB-A and C and gives me a voltage readout. I went with a different wireless charger, but the rest of the process should be the same. If you remove the glove box it's not too hard to get the wire run across the backside of the dash. I brought my cable out in a gap between the hard plastic and pleather boot of the steering column but I have my wireless charger mounted next to the gauge cluster so its not super visible and doesn't run far.

 

[RyanStroeder]

I am actually just finished doing something similar. I am using this fuse tap running off of fuse 36, it turns on and off with the ignition so it doesn't drain power when the key is off. I went with this plug tucked behind the glove box. I like that it gave me flexibility of USB-A and C and gives me a voltage readout. I went with a different wireless charger, but the rest of the process should be the same. If you remove the glove box it's not too hard to get the wire run across the backside of the dash. I brought my cable out in a gap between the hard plastic and pleather boot of the steering column but I have my wireless charger mounted next to the gauge cluster so its not super visible and doesn't run far.

thanks! your charger is mounted to the right of the steering wheel? where did you mount the charger itself - into a cutout in the dash somehow?

 

[mau47]

thanks! your charger is mounted to the right of the steering wheel? where did you mount the charger itself - into a cutout in the dash somehow?

I purchased this charger based on the recommendation of another forum member, it mounts with some VHB tape to the area marked in the red box of the photo below.

The screen is slightly obstructed by the wheel so if you want full visibility thats not the location for you but for me it was more for convenience and not about seeing the screen. My other requirement was I didn't want to block airflow from the vents in summer (I like my AC) or blow hot air on it in the winter making the phone even warmer than it already gets wireless charging.

I have the factory wireless charger but I didn't like the location and would frequently end up forgetting my phone in the truck, so it's more about being visible for me than anything else.

 

[RyanStroeder]

I purchased this charger based on the recommendation of another forum member, it mounts with some VHB tape to the area marked in the red box of the photo below.

The screen is slightly obstructed by the wheel so if you want full visibility thats not the location for you but for me it was more for convenience and not about seeing the screen. My other requirement was I didn't want to block airflow from the vents in summer (I like my AC) or blow hot air on it in the winter making the phone even warmer than it already gets wireless charging.

I have the factory wireless charger but I didn't like the location and would frequently end up forgetting my phone in the truck, so it's more about being visible for me than anything else.

Right on, thanks!

 

[RyanStroeder]

Does anyone know where I can find the ford part number for the usb-a and usb-c combo port piece that sits in the cubby underneath the HVAC controls? I am leaning towards using that for a more OEM look...

Edit: I think this is the part, but it has connections on the back I'm not familiar with...

https://www.oemfordpart.com/oem-par...yMSZ0PWxhcmlhdCZlPTMtNWwtdjYtZWxlY3RyaWMtZ2Fz

 

[ReverendQ]

I ordered the Offroam Wireless Charging Magnetic charging mount. It (obviously) needs to be plugged in to power the wireless charging.

https://getoffroam.com/en-ca/products/magnetic-charging-phone-mount-kit-ford-f-150-2021-2024

I could always default to running the cable from the 12V 20W charger, but it would nice to come up with a solution that is stealth and doesn't have a loose cable laying around.

Has anyone tackled this first world issue before?

Thanks!

I pulled the center dash a part a little....it's not difficult....pull the center speaker cover, tray and upper dash surround, then I pulled the trim thats around the infotainment screen and I fished the USB cable down behind the center dash and into the back side of the "storage compartment" thats under the climate controls (storage area where the USB connections & wireless charging station is)....Im sure there are other more complicated ways....but this way you dont have to cut or splice any wires and you get instant integration into the infotainment system.

Personally I PREFER a wired connection (over bluetooth) because the sound quality is much better (bluetooth / wireless audio uses compression that reduces the quality significantly).

 

[UGADawg96]

Tap the fuse panel under the passenger kick panel, run a wire to a USB switch or plug, then run it up to the cubby on the top of the dash. It's easy to get that cubby off and the glovebox comes out real easy - making it simple to fish a wire through. I added a Builtright dash mount and mounted the switch to it, but you can simply mount a USB switch to the cubby if you like. Super easy.

Nice work there. Looks very similar to my setup:

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/builtright-pro-dash-mount-hardwired-12v-and-usb.17703/

Nice! thanks, this is a good start for me. I just need to figure out the fusing (like you say) and then find an appropriate 12V to usb module? I wonder if I can run it through the vent to keep it ultra clean?

See parts list in my link above.

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