Well if you want to do it right it depends on what vehicle you have . I would like to share the info I've learned so far but need to know what you are working with

 

I have a 99 f150 xl super cab.

 

Ok I am doing the compass and the outside temperature display . Is that what you want to do ? . If so you will need the OHC and it all depends on how particular you are about details and neatness.


I'm changing out my headliner to make it look more like factory. Also I have changed out the complete wiring harness leading up to the OHC ( really not hard to do ) making a clean wiring job.


Don't know how much involved you want to get with this . There are short cuts. We can walk you through either way

 

What year and spec display are you putting in? It would greatly help with wiring information. For example, mine is a 99-02 2-button display sourced from a 99 Eddie Bauer, Part# XL1Z-10D898BA.

Also, how are you wiring the temperature sensor? I'm not sure if the Excursion wiring diagram/pinout will work. Been trying to identify the connector too, it's been a tricky *******. So far, I know it's made by Yazaki (hard to miss their logo ) and has ridiculously tiny terminals.

 

I just want a basic HC for looks the temp and compass isn't a concern. My head liner fabric came loose so I took it out and cleaned the foam off and painted it with plastidip. It should be easy to mod. Just looking for how it mounts to the roof.

 

Well if that's all you want to do all you have to do is cut a hole for the back mount. Here's a video of a guy removing one for repair you'll see how it is mounted




2001 f-150 overhead console removal - Bing video

 

So is there 3 pieces I need to get

 

Console assembly, mounting plate (underneath headliner), and Compass module which fits over the rear view mirror. Consequently, I just began work on a new switch mounting bracket. Should have it drawn up in KolourPaint, accurate to 0.015" by Friday as time permits.

Sorry, I got sidetracked when my gauge backlight crapped out. Sidetracked by the pretty new LEDs that are so bright I can see them in broad daylight...thanks Now I must LED all the things...

 

Well I don't know what you mean by needing three pieces . If you buy the OHC complete as I did you will get all you need. When I got mine that's when I discovered the headliner was different. So I went and bought a headliner.


Since the headliner has to come completely out that's when I decided to do the wiring harness for the OHC. If I hadn't have to remove the liner I would have just ran the needed wires to make OHC work


The one you see in the video I provided is the one I am using

 

I would like to contribute some information just learned from finishing my own trip computer/console retrofit. Pictures will come later this week after I get the flex cable in my phone replaced in order to take nnon-crappy pictures. But I will say this tho: stringing the new harness up the dashboard sucked. Getting wires through the firewall was a breeze tho.

The Trip Computer I have (99 Expedition Eddie Bauer 2 button, Part# XL1Z-10D898BA) does not appear to have the proper circuits to show instant MPG or Ambient Temperature. The display screen DOES show these functions though. The donor truck did have the EATC Climate System though. Based on that, I suspect one of two scenarios going on here:

1. The display screen is shared with the Excursion Trip Computer, but the Expedition just has these features dummied out by having less hardware on the circuit board (cost-saving measure) or it has the needed hardware, but is dummied out by a 'defeater' setup (sort of like the 10NES chip in your 8-bit Nintendo). With a flashlight, you can see the *F/*C temperature and Instant MPG indicators on the screen.

2. I possibly missed something in the wiring. It's unlikely as I've triple-checked everything at every turn, but better safe than sorry.

Could someone with a 2-button trip computer from the factory in their truck please chime in on if the instant MPG/Ambient Temperature works? Details on your truck would be most appreciated too.

Oh, and something useful to know too. According to the trip computer, my 5.4L 4x4 with 291k on it and four very dead O2 sensors does around 10mpg in town with both front AND rear A/C on max and a decent bit of idling.

 

Well I haven't chimed in on my progress on my Install of my OHC because my truck is in the body shop having a new rocker put in . But I can tell you that the wiring wasn't that bad. The F-150 was simple and straight to the point . No MPG, just compass and temperature.


I'm sure that the ambient temperature wiring has to be similar. The wires just run between the sensor and the console. The only challenge in the wiring is where I wanted to tap into VSS which you have several options.


To do what you want to do is possible but you have to get the right wiring schematic
My truck is a 1997. I got the wiring from a 2001 F-150 ext cab and got the schematic to match and the headliner

 

I've examined every 97-02 Expedition and 00-05 Excursion schematic available several times. The 00-02 Expedition manual has both your 1-button and my 2-button schematic in it. Have you ever cracked open the trip computer? Perhaps there are a few clues on the circuit board.

A similar example is in the EATC Climate Control unit. Mine is a 99 box, but has a 97-98 motherboard inside it. Might give you some ideas.

 

So what you're saying is the two button has the MPG function . Is that right ?

 

Mine does. Two button overhead console and has an instant mpg screen to pick and an average mpg screen. I do not have an outside temp option. I believe this is the main difference between the 1 button overhead console and the 2 button consoles. The 2 button consoles do not have an outside temp where the 1 button console does.

 

Glad I ran up on this thread. Would love to add the Console to my 1999 F150 standard cab Lariat short step bed 4x4 2 with 5.4. It did not come with one. And you would think a Lariat would have had this option from the factory?
Wondering if may have the wiring harness and be a plug and play deal on the 1999.

Pete