Anybody ever done this? Was thinking of running a USB to each of the back doors (through the flip out ashtray) in my crewcab. Was looking at using something like this.

 

I personally haven't used that device but I have used other products from Powerwerx with good experiences.
That actually sounds like a good idea tho. Especially if you have passengers that need charging. A little plastic trim and sealant and you could transform the ashtray into a power port. Post pics when you have it done!

 

I bought something similar to this unit with a nearly 5-foot cord (Qualcomm pictured below). I ran the cable to the back and clipped the remote unit to the back of the passenger seat, giving a nice set of ports there with very little effort.

 

I definitely need some back there. Four people trying to charge multiple devices on the the front USB during a road trip ain't workin lol!

 

Been thinking the same thing, but wanting a flush mount. Look up marine USB port through ebay

 

I've seen the marine USB stuff on amazon. I'm hesitant to drill into any panels though. I like the ashtray idea because it will be hidden and still look factory. I don't mind leaving the USB end loose inside the ashtray but if I can get creative and find a way to secure it that'd be sweet. I'm still brainstormin...

 

I would try something like this...
USB Panel Mount

1 1/8 opening needed. The ashtray should be able to handle that. Using a small rectangle of plastic as trim, you could mount this to that then secure the plastic as trim to the top of the removable ashtray with the wiring going through the bottom into the door panel for power.

 

Yup^^^ that's what's saved in my eBay acct. Weatherproof/marine.... Hate the wire going over the console to charge phones in the back

 

Was thinking of adding USB's to back side of middle console for rear passengers. Anyone thought about a setup like that ?

 

BadDogKuzz added a small console in the back of the front seat at floor level. Turned out nice. Will see if I can find pics. He used wood as a face material but could use anything that might match interior colors




Edit: see post 23
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nd-more-2.html

 

There is plenty of room in there and it is easy to remove and put onto a work bench to test fit. I installed my auxiliary fuel tank gauge on the backside of the inside of the storage space. This way the gauge is not visible or distracting and if I want to check the fuel level of the tank I simply lift the lid and look down at the gauge.

 

Y'all post up some pics if ya got em. I wish I had a center console (I have a jump seat) it'd be much easier to do this. Rear doors are really my only option. I've got some ideas...


Allaboutmpg, i just followed the link in your post and it looks like he has a jump seat too. Doesn't look bad at all. Although, I'd like to try and make it look a little more factory.

 

I wouldn't drill anything... or at least not make anything irreversible. While you still have plenty of calendar pages to flip for a countdown, the USB A connector is going to slowly phase out. Thunderbolt 3 with USB C is the heavy favorite for new connections across all computing platforms. When this takes place over the next 5 years, your fancy schmancy USB port drilled into the truck will make teenagers slump and say "Ah man, you just have 10 watts" while looking for the 100 watt Thunderbolt port with a different connector. They would then have to count on the semi-drained battery until their gaming tablet dies, then droop their lip and blow snot bubbles for the remainder of the trip. Friends will look at the antiquated USB A port and just go "Oh... that's quaint. I'll see if I still have one of those cords in my computer bag".

With the continual growth of the USB A connector with up to 15 watts of power and pretty much universal acceptance (Universal Serial Bus), it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking this will go on for a long time. In my "era" of computing, I have seen the same rise and fall of popularity and acceptance of Parallel (DB25), Serial (DP9), VGA (DB15), and various versions of USB connectors (micro, mini, and B for example) and PS2 for mouse/keyboard. USB A is on the conveyor to the "It was a great solution in its day" glass case.

In case one might think I'm raising my hand too soon - my new laptop with 4K touchscreen has the Thunderbolt connector, and nothing I buy in the future will be without this powerful connector - since Apple, Windows, and Android all finally agreed on one port.

 

Took one of the back panels off this evening and started this little project. First thing was knocking out the rivets that secure the ashtray housing. after you punch out the rivets your left with this...
From the front edge of the opening to the door shell is just a hair shy of 2". The blue sea system USB I was looking at measures 2.02". Need to find a shallow mount USB. Or get creatively stupid lol.

 

How much room do you have around that bolt? Window track?
I was actually thinking of using the ashtray as the "box" that the backside of the USB mount would go into. Would then just need some kind of plastic "plate" that you could trim to fit so it fills the ashtray.