Swap USB Port Locations???

[thebigdu]

Probably a long shot, but do any of you Ford electronics gurus think it might be possible to swap the USB port locations in the media bin with those inside the enclosed center console? I would prefer the two ports in the media bin be for charing only and those inside the center console be for USB stick and wired AndroidAuto/Carplay.

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[Snakebitten]

Hmmmm

It's gotta be doable, but you'd need some custom harness work I bet.

I too like the console ports for their built in cable routing with the cover closed, as opposed to the media bin cover simply closing as far as the USB cable allows.

 

[Snakebitten]

If you look closely, (second image) you can see the cable that connects the media bin USB hub to the cable that routes to the APIM or GWM? I don't know exactly which.

That's the cable that would need to be made longer and reach the USB hub in the console storage.

 

[powerboatr]

that is so weird
i have never used the center console ones, i thought they were all same same dead steam
see i learned something new today ?

 

[Snakebitten]

that is so weird
i have never used the center console ones, i thought they were all same same dead steam
see i learned something new today ?

The center console allows me to charge my phone without Sync4 and it trying to play footsies.

And it charges pretty fast too. (USB C)
Ford left a good size cable route to allow the lid to close without pinching anything.

 

[Buyer2021]

It's gotta be doable, but you'd need some custom harness work I bet.

I tend to agree.

Is there any chance that the USB connectors (USB ports) themselves in the console lack the 'data pins' / only have the 'charging pins'? That'd be a pisser to discover after getting the data cable to 'em

The OE config works well for me, console for phone charging with the cord through the provided gap and the always fully-closed media bin for my music flash drive.

I don't use any feature on my phone that requires a USB to SYNC connection, but I understand other folks' habits may differ, no worries. If I did need a wired phone-to-SYNC connection I'd certainly want that to be via the console ports, so Good Luck to the OP!

 

[thebigdu]

Honestly the factory setup never bothered me until I started having wireless AndroidAuto connection issues after one of the recent updates. I figured I'd just go wired, since I have the cord sticking out from the center console anyway and place my phone sideways in the long storage slot next to the shifter.

 

[Tenchi]

Honestly the factory setup never bothered me until I started having wireless AndroidAuto connection issues after one of the recent updates. I figured I'd just go wired, since I have the cord sticking out from the center console anyway and place my phone sideways in the long storage slot next to the shifter.

Safe to assume to tried removing your phone from the phone list and added it back? Same with removing you truck from connected device on your phone? If not, I recommend giving that a try, a fresh start on the pairing.

 

[thebigdu]

Thanks everybody for your input. I'm not sure I want to do any custom harness work right now to make this work; I will try repairing my phone for the time being.. Maybe it's really that simple?

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I keep thinking of this and how annoying it is that Ford give us a nice notch to run a cord out of console but it isn't connected with data pins. Simplest solution an extra long quality USB-C cable running inside the console back to the large storage area then out the notch. Not sure how much room there is inside console to work around the shifter and cup holders.

 

[Gerstein1989]

I keep thinking of this and how annoying it is that Ford give us a nice notch to run a cord out of console but it isn't connected with data pins. Simplest solution an extra long quality USB-C cable running inside the console back to the large storage area then out the notch. Not sure how much room there is inside console to work around the shifter and cup holders.

I figured this out with some help from @JHForman812.

It requires some cutting to cut a hole for a new usb and changing some of the usb cable connections from a 2017 ford explorer and a different usb hub but no custom harnesses. All factory cables. This is the end result. You lose usb c in the media hub. This is on a ford lightning but are trucks are pretty much the same so it will work.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I figured this out with some help from @JHForman812.

It requires some cutting to cut a hole for a new usb and changing some of the usb cable connections from a 2017 ford explorer and a different usb hub but no custom harnesses. All factory cables. This is the end result. You lose usb c in the media hub. This is on a ford lightning but are trucks are pretty much the same so it will work.

That is very cool. Do you have more pics of the process?

I had issues with wireless AA on a long distance trip recently and had to fumble around moving my USB cable to the bin I usually keep closed.

 

[Gerstein1989]

That is very cool. Do you have more pics of the process?

I had issues with wireless AA on a long distance trip recently and had to fumble around moving my USB cable to the bin I usually keep closed.

It’s similar to the light up cup holder retro fit. Are you familiar with that. It’s similar as you have to take a couple trim pieces off but other than that it’s all factory harnesses from a 2017 explorer lol. I can take some pics this week.

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