thunderstruck
This message exists only to take up space.
Replace your cigarette lighter with a factory-looking AUX input
Today I replaced the cigarette lighter in my center console with a Poly-Planar IC-3.5PM input jack. I never use the cigarette lighter anyways and this beats having to drill a hole in my dash. Best of all, it looks completely factory!
I did this small mod to my GMT800 Avalanche, but this *should* work for just about any vehicle with a cigarette lighter.
To remove the cigarette lighter, you must remove the trays from the center console (I'm not sure how to remove the lighter from trucks without a center console). First, release the bottom-right end of the dash bezel just above the center console. The bezel doesn't need to be removed, you just need to release the bottom-right two clips and maybe the top right clip. Now pull on the bottom sides of the center console panel to release the two bottom clips, then pull on the top of the panel to release the top two clips. Pull out the panel from the bottom end and release the wiring harnesses from the lighter and 12v jack.
Now you need to remove the metal sleeve from the outer plastic ring. To do that, bend the metal tabs into the sleeve, then pry (or break, it won't matter) the small plastics tabs holding the sleeve. Push the sleeve out from behind. Be very careful not to break the tabs holding the outer plastic ring to the panel. You need to keep that plastic ring, the jack is too small for the hole without it.
Now feed the wires through the ring, center the jack in the hole, and then tighten down the nut onto the jack.
Route the wires to your headunit or adapter and reinstall the panel the same way you removed it. Enjoy your factory-looking auxiliary input!
Today I replaced the cigarette lighter in my center console with a Poly-Planar IC-3.5PM input jack. I never use the cigarette lighter anyways and this beats having to drill a hole in my dash. Best of all, it looks completely factory!
I did this small mod to my GMT800 Avalanche, but this *should* work for just about any vehicle with a cigarette lighter.
To remove the cigarette lighter, you must remove the trays from the center console (I'm not sure how to remove the lighter from trucks without a center console). First, release the bottom-right end of the dash bezel just above the center console. The bezel doesn't need to be removed, you just need to release the bottom-right two clips and maybe the top right clip. Now pull on the bottom sides of the center console panel to release the two bottom clips, then pull on the top of the panel to release the top two clips. Pull out the panel from the bottom end and release the wiring harnesses from the lighter and 12v jack.
Now you need to remove the metal sleeve from the outer plastic ring. To do that, bend the metal tabs into the sleeve, then pry (or break, it won't matter) the small plastics tabs holding the sleeve. Push the sleeve out from behind. Be very careful not to break the tabs holding the outer plastic ring to the panel. You need to keep that plastic ring, the jack is too small for the hole without it.
Now feed the wires through the ring, center the jack in the hole, and then tighten down the nut onto the jack.
Route the wires to your headunit or adapter and reinstall the panel the same way you removed it. Enjoy your factory-looking auxiliary input!
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Upgrade.
....it does look sweet though!!
But it's cool you took the time to do that!
