DIY: Adding the 12V Power Outlet Option in the Bed

[Jamie Jack]

I didn't like the cigarette lighter type of outlet as I've had lots of problems with them in the past. They will self destruct with 20a running through them. As well, they are not water proof. I bought the harness but used a marine style 12V outlet and plug, waterproof and built to last in a harsh enviroment.

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[adv_ranger]

Here is my setup in the back of the bed. Using Builtright molle panels and the Wolfhaus offroad 12v marine socket.

 

[Brianj67]

I was just wondering if anyone has just cut the plug and direct wired? Seems to me to be a rather inexpensive option. Anyone?

 

[Jamie Jack]

I considered it. It's a little tight on the frame rail to do it correctly; solder and cover with heat shrink to waterproof it, and it's right behind the wheel so it's going to get abused with gravel and water. As a retired electrician, it's certainly possible, but plugging in a waterproof plug was so much easier and was better for long term reliable.

But I didn't like the factory bed plug or the aftermarket choices becasue they were all cigarette lighter types which have not been reliable; pumping 20A through them has always destroyed them. Instead, I cut the top of the harness and soldered the wires to a waterproof marines style DC plug which is rated for 40A. In the bed, I plug in a 20A 12V to 12v charger to charge my fishing battery on the way home from the lake.

If you feel competent to find, strip, solder, and cover the wires in a tight space, there is no reason why you can't be successful.

 

[EdmuR]

Dumby Plug socket hack
1) Find an old bulb kicking around
2) Cut the plastic around the pins away and cut the pins off as far back as possible.
3) Drill 2 small holes in the pins
4) Solder your wires to the pins
5) Press them into the dumby plug and silicone around the wires where they enter the plug housing.

Did you cut the old bulb off? (Picture please)

 

[RealRigsRattle]

A little bit stumped here. The Wolfhaus plug looks great but I wanted something a little different.
So, I picked up a marine plug panel from Amazon. Got everything wired up behind the driver tail light, tested the plug and connectors on the plug side, and made sure the fuse is good.
I changed the factory connector out to an aftermarket weatherproof connector. Been using heat solder connectors to add the aftermarket connector to where I removed the factory plug. When I connect the factory side of the wiring to the aftermarket bedside of the wiring I get nothing.
Any thoughts? The solder looks good where I added the aftermarket connector but I thought maybe I had a cold joint so I removed and resoldered it three different times. Feel like I’m going crazy. At this point I removed the aftermarket plug and terminated the factory wiring so I don’t short.

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

A little bit stumped here. The Wolfhaus plug looks great but I wanted something a little different.
So, I picked up a marine plug panel from Amazon. Got everything wired up behind the driver tail light, tested the plug and connectors on the plug side, and made sure the fuse is good.
I changed the factory connector out to an aftermarket weatherproof connector. Been using heat solder connectors to add the aftermarket connector to where I removed the factory plug. When I connect the factory side of the wiring to the aftermarket bedside of the wiring I get nothing.
Any thoughts? The solder looks good where I added the aftermarket connector but I thought maybe I had a cold joint so I removed and resoldered it three different times. Feel like I’m going crazy. At this point I removed the aftermarket plug and terminated the factory wiring so I don’t short.

Nice work. You are aware that circuit times out and is not always powered ?

 

[RealRigsRattle]

Nice work. You are aware that circuit times out and is not always powered ?

Yes, I tested it with accessory power and with the vehicle running.

 

[RealRigsRattle]

I also checked to make to make sure my rear seat power outlets were functional so I don’t think they’ve been disabled. This port isn’t on it’s own in Forscan, right?

 

[RealRigsRattle]

Well, after changing out my wiring again I got nothing. Double checked the fuse and swapped it with one that was powering the rear center console ports and BOOM! Power to bed. The fuse still looks good even when compared to a new fuse! The weird part is this fuse must have been bad from the factory because it’s never had a load on it. Went into the BCM with forscan and disabled the timeout plus set time out to 18 hours so I should be all good. Also changed my preferred state of charge to 90%.

 

[mark_anderson_us]

As I posted in another thread. I have ordered (what I and a dealer parts guy) think is needed to add the outlet. Including hardware and the sub-harness. I will post pics of the install and part numbers to those interested. Waiting on parts from Detroit. Just a FYI drilling is required.

NOTE: 19N236B in the diagram below is not the correct part number. Should be 19N236A. See post #3 below for correct part numbers and quantities.

Anyone know which fuse protects this line and what rating it has?

 

[Dean Schaffran]

I know this is an old thread but I finally got around to building my version of the "no drilling or cutting needed" power outlet mod using the obround holes in the sides of the bed. I used both on the driver side and built it around PowerPole knockoffs. The rectangular hole used by the popular solution is covered up by the rails visible in this pic. Would be willing to discuss further if any interest.
Happy Rangering!

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