Upfitter switch installation
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Taking the center console out is pretty easy. It is held in by two screws and a bunch of clips. Might give better access to the harness plug in. Look at the video at this link...it is #55
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...012-xlt-4.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...012-xlt-4.html
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Connecticut
Just did mine last weekend..harness plug is located on drivers side straight up above brake pedal,way up.Center console is not an issue.Nor does it need to come out for anything.I dont know why they claimed it needed to come out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
I did that video, but I was looking to replace a actuator. Upfitter switches should take maybe 20 minutes to install. It's literally 2 bolts and some clips to pop the front dash bezel off and then to run the wiring to under the steering wheel to plug into the connector.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
From: Chesterfield, VA
I can only think of two advantages (perspective). 1) on-board air will only be powered when ignition key is in run position and 2) even then only if you put appropriate switch in on position.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
I feel like a complete idiot with my 2012 Superduty, I have a 2000 did most of the work myself, but this 2012, wow!
I had to have my radiator replaced at the dealer and while it was there I asked them to install my upfitter switches, they did it for around $200 give or take a few bucks, the service manager discounted the radiator so the price of the upfitter wasn't so costly.
Now it's installed, I want to wire my grill light bar and my heated windshield wipers to the switches, here is my question? where can you run your power wires to? Do they run through the firewall then behind the dash to the switches or is there a power wire somewhere in the truck that can be wired into?
All of this new computer stuff has me baffled!
I've had this truck for 2 months, been on all the forums to learn, there is so much to learn with these new vehicles.
Heck, my 2000 Superduty seems like a antique compaired to these new models.
I had to have my radiator replaced at the dealer and while it was there I asked them to install my upfitter switches, they did it for around $200 give or take a few bucks, the service manager discounted the radiator so the price of the upfitter wasn't so costly.
Now it's installed, I want to wire my grill light bar and my heated windshield wipers to the switches, here is my question? where can you run your power wires to? Do they run through the firewall then behind the dash to the switches or is there a power wire somewhere in the truck that can be wired into?
All of this new computer stuff has me baffled!
I've had this truck for 2 months, been on all the forums to learn, there is so much to learn with these new vehicles.
Heck, my 2000 Superduty seems like a antique compaired to these new models.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I feel like a complete idiot with my 2012 Superduty, I have a 2000 did most of the work myself, but this 2012, wow!
I had to have my radiator replaced at the dealer and while it was there I asked them to install my upfitter switches, they did it for around $200 give or take a few bucks, the service manager discounted the radiator so the price of the upfitter wasn't so costly.
Now it's installed, I want to wire my grill light bar and my heated windshield wipers to the switches, here is my question? where can you run your power wires to? Do they run through the firewall then behind the dash to the switches or is there a power wire somewhere in the truck that can be wired into?
All of this new computer stuff has me baffled!
I've had this truck for 2 months, been on all the forums to learn, there is so much to learn with these new vehicles.
Heck, my 2000 Superduty seems like a antique compaired to these new models.
I had to have my radiator replaced at the dealer and while it was there I asked them to install my upfitter switches, they did it for around $200 give or take a few bucks, the service manager discounted the radiator so the price of the upfitter wasn't so costly.
Now it's installed, I want to wire my grill light bar and my heated windshield wipers to the switches, here is my question? where can you run your power wires to? Do they run through the firewall then behind the dash to the switches or is there a power wire somewhere in the truck that can be wired into?
All of this new computer stuff has me baffled!
I've had this truck for 2 months, been on all the forums to learn, there is so much to learn with these new vehicles.
Heck, my 2000 Superduty seems like a antique compaired to these new models.
they are located at the drivers firewall, just behind the fusebox
and under the dash, pull the panel under the steering wheel, just to the left of the opening..
see the tech sticky topic at the top of this forum for details on the wire connections to the upfitters.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
under the dash, cause I can't turn upside down anymore and still see, I made a little 3 inch jumper with crimp connectors on each end,
then stripped and crimped one wire and then the other.
the truck provided wires don't leave any extra room..
under the hood.. what a pain.. big hands, small space, short wires, tall truck..
someone said in a recent post they pulled the left front wheel well liner and tire and had a lot more room.
I might try that on the next wire hookup (onboard air compressor and aux fuel tank valve already done) for my light bar in the bumper.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 3
I read that about the wheel well liner and did that. Removing it was a big help. The firewall wires are folded back upon themselves and taped with a wrap of black electrical tape.
I had to use a small blade on a pen knife to cut the black electrical tape loose - I couldn't see it and did by feel.
That gained about two inches more of wire. Those wires look like they are all about 18 or 16 gauge wire. I'm assuming that I have the right wires.
I had to use a small blade on a pen knife to cut the black electrical tape loose - I couldn't see it and did by feel.
That gained about two inches more of wire. Those wires look like they are all about 18 or 16 gauge wire. I'm assuming that I have the right wires.
Last edited by pacnorwest; Oct 22, 2014 at 07:08 PM. Reason: thumblethumbs
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I read that about the wheel well liner and did that. Removing it was a big help. The firewall wires are folded back upon themselves and taped with a wrap of black electrical tape.
I had to use a small blade on a pen knife to cut the black electrical tape loose - I couldn't see it and did by feel.
That gained about two inches more of wire. Those wires look like they are all about 18 or 16 gauge wire. I'm assuming that I have the right wires.
I had to use a small blade on a pen knife to cut the black electrical tape loose - I couldn't see it and did by feel.
That gained about two inches more of wire. Those wires look like they are all about 18 or 16 gauge wire. I'm assuming that I have the right wires.