Here we are with trucks from 98.5 to 2002 and we've got those clunky cigarette light power points. 

 

I know some of you have had to replace the cigarette lighter sockets and possibly the power point socket. I'm wondering what the hole in the dash measures out to I want to replace both the cigarette lighter and the power point with a pair of USB charger port. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-Charger-Socket-Power-Outlet/dp/B07FLTTXBD/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539385959&sr=8-1&keywords=automotive%2Busb%2Bcharger%2B3%2BQC%2Bflush%2Bmount&th=1

 

If someone doesn't mind measuring out the hole for me. 

 

 

Now the reason why I'm heading this way is I want to ditch the bulky cigarette light cords. Like my Garmin 42LM is a cigarette cord which I could upgrade to a USB mini plug and buy a 6-foot cord and just plug in. I'm going to convert my Cobra Radar Detector from cigarette lighter plug to direct wire set up. Then my cell phone will have its own QC 3 port and never worry about it. Right now I've got a 3 port cigarette hub at the base of the cup holder. Rather a pain in rear end. 

 

If this works out I'll do the same thing to the 1996 Dodge Ram and convert it over to USB charger ports as well. Seems like more and more stuff is now charged on USB sockets and now here you are stuffing cigarette light charger in to convert 12V to 5V. It's time to upgrade. 

I can pull mine in the am and have a look. 

10 hours ago, dripley said:

I can pull mine in the am and have a look. 

 

Please? I'll FAX you a cold beer...

 

Here you go. The ID of the trim ring is 7/8" and the ID of the hole in dash is 1 1/16". There is room to enlarge hole.

Basically, the USB body is 1 1/8" (1.13"). So if your measuring 1 1/16" (1.0625") that is only another 1/16 of inch to go... 

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

Please? I'll FAX you a cold beer...

 

That does look tasty!!

Reamer instructions say, 'No operating while Intoxicated especially on dashboards'.

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Basically, the USB body is 1 1/8" (1.13"). So if your measuring 1 1/16" (1.0625") that is only another 1/16 of inch to go... 

The OD of the trim is 1 3/8". The way it fits the contour of the dash would make the power point face trim a little to big but if you shimmed it out a little you would gain the space you need to make it fit. Not sure about getting the nut on the back though, pretty tight back there. It would be worth a try. I have something similar plugged into the lower power point but its just a cheapie and works ok.

 

59 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

Reamer instructions say, 'No operating while Intoxicated especially on dashboards'.

Chickens cant read.

 ''Chicken language'' and pictures on page 4. 

USB outlets is an awesome idea and I didn't even realize there were things like this on the market. I think my 01 will be the guinea pig. My OEM Pixel 2 wall charger is 3.0 amp.

 

I just ordered one of these since it also has a voltage gauge. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F84VVB4/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

9 hours ago, 04Mach1 said:

I just ordered one of these since it also has a voltage gauge. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F84VVB4/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

 

I like that one more. Two 3-amp charger sockets that just perfect. Even its the same 1.13" size barrel. I was just looking at my 1996 if I could stuff one of these USB chargers in there too.

i put 3 of these in my mega cab, on center console one dash one rear seating area for the kids.

the work great. i had to take a razor knife and kinda scrape the edges to make the holes just a tad larger. kinda like deburing them.

I would like to do this same modification. My original cigarette lighter has broken and needs to be replaced. I pulled the cup holder in an effort to gain access into the opening where the cigarette lighter goes, but its way to tight to get a hand into. I'm not sure how you would ever get a nut on the back to tighten a new usb charger in there?

I'm going to order my power point this next month. Ill figure a way out. I've got big gorilla hands this should prove to be a good challenge.

On 10/13/2018 at 10:08 AM, dripley said:

The OD of the trim is 1 3/8". The way it fits the contour of the dash would make the power point face trim a little to big but if you shimmed it out a little you would gain the space you need to make it fit. Not sure about getting the nut on the back though, pretty tight back there. It would be worth a try. I have something similar plugged into the lower power point but its just a cheapie and works ok.

 

Chickens cant read.

There will be a lot of Chickens Looking at this one, don't need to read, FAX says it all

On 10/13/2018 at 10:56 AM, 04Mach1 said:

I just ordered one of these since it also has a voltage gauge. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F84VVB4/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1

 

I also just ordered my USB power point as well. I'll be installing this when I get it. I'm tired of the crappy cigarette lighter plug stuff and going to switch over to USB powered stuff. I still need to order a USB cord for my Garmin 42LM GPS. That will be two less cigarette light plugs to deal with. Be nice to have both on the normal cigarette lighter plug being that shuts off with the key. Where the power point below is constant on power. This happens to be my battery killer... 

3 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

I also just ordered my USB power point as well. I'll be installing this when I get it. I'm tired of the crappy cigarette lighter plug stuff and going to switch over to USB powered stuff. I still need to order a USB cord for my Garmin 42LM GPS. That will be two less cigarette light plugs to deal with. Be nice to have both on the normal cigarette lighter plug being that shuts off with the key. Where the power point below is constant on power. This happens to be my battery killer... 

I have mine but have yet to install it.

9 minutes ago, 04Mach1 said:

I have mine but have yet to install it.

 

Oh, come on now. Get out there and get that thing stuff in the dash. Cuss and swear at the old plug getting out of the dash. Then cuss and swear at the new one getting it in the dash. I can see it coming myself too.  I'm sure I'll figure out a solution to get it in there. 

15 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

Oh, come on now. Get out there and get that thing stuff in the dash. Cuss and swear at the old plug getting out of the dash. Then cuss and swear at the new one getting it in the dash. I can see it coming myself too.  I'm sure I'll figure out a solution to get it in there. 

If you want the redneck advice. I took my cubby hole thingy out, automatics have cup holders there, and cut some plastic out enough to get my hand in. Just cut it so it looks nice. I actually don't have that cubby hole anymore, thing was useless anyway, I put my rear-view camera monitor there.

Edited November 9, 20186 yr by Dieselfuture
Spelling

I'm still going to find a way without cutting up the dash. 

I put a 3 port cigarette lighter behind the dash and “permanently” installed power for my GPS and SiriusXM behind the dash. The plug on the 3 port has a 90° connection so it lives on my lower non-switch OEM plug and isn’t obtrusive at all. This way I can unplug it when the truck is parked more than a couple days. 

 

I then have a 12V to double USB plug I use for charging things such as a phone or iPad. 

 

Its similar to this one 

 

Cable Matters 2-Pack 10W 2A Mini Dual USB Car Charger for iPhone / Android Smartphones Including iPhone X/ 8/7, Galaxy S9/S8/Note8, iPad Air/Mini, Sony Xperia, Google Pixel/Nexus, LG G6/V30 and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MH3USBE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hPy5BbA324C2S

 

 

I don’t like the ones that are above 2A as they can damage smaller devices such as phones. 2A will charge a phone very fast and not do any damage to the battery. 

 

I’m not even sure I’d want to run 3A to my iPad which is designed for 2A.