DIY Built-in Garage Door Opener Module

[Ed Venture]

Since I have to park my XLT in the driveway, I didn't want to leave my garage remote on the visor. It would be too easy for someone to break the window and snag the remote to the garage door and walk away with thousands of dollars worth of tools. After looking at the price for a HomeLink or equivalent ($160) I decided to fab up my own using parts from Amazon.

I ordered up a Chamberlin Clicker universal remote, a 12V to 3V step down converter, a quality momentary push button switch, and a pack of tiny battery cable connectors and fabricated it up:

There really wasn't much too it; just a few dabs of solder to attach all the leads (please ignore my questionable soldering skills):

I had to clip out some of the plastic case at the top and the bottom to get the wires to pass through before I snapped it all back together. I also added a pigtail for the second button on the remote should I want to add it later.

Here is the unit with power off and then on:

Works like a champ! Now all I have to do is figure out where I want to install it and connect it to an accessory switched lead.

Best,

Ed

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[Chappy]

Looks great, Ed. Can't wait to see it how you mount it.

 

[Ed Venture]

Okay - all done! Installed the button in the overhead console and mounted the remote to the support below the steering wheel:

I spent a good deal of time tidying up the all my wires. Between the new garage remote module, auto mirror folding module, two dash cams, two amplifiers and a LTE WIFI hotspot I have a lot going on under there.

Best,

Ed

 

[Chappy]

That looks great, Ed! Congrats!

 

[micl9]

Love these kind of mods Ed!
Nice job. I especially like the blue LED switch.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Okay - all done! Installed the button in the overhead console and mounted the remote to the support below the steering wheel:

I spent a good deal of time tidying up the all my wires. Between the new garage remote module, auto mirror folding module, two dash cams, two amplifiers and a LTE WIFI hotspot I have a lot going on under there.

Best,

Ed

Hi ED,

A very elegant solution! Congrats!

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Fastfitzy]

Ed, I’m going to need you to make me one of these. If you’d like, I won’t charge you anything.
For one of my other cars I used a auto dimming homelink rear view mirror that I pulled at a salvage yard. Best 10$ ever spent

 

[Muscleford]

Question....Is the button live all the time or only when the truck is on accessory?

 

[micl9]

Question....Is the button live all the time or only when the truck is on accessory?

Depends how you wire it. I installed a Lariat visor with home link (I think $60 at JunkYard)and tied it to ign hot line rather than the always on setup of the stock wiring. Actually stock comes on with interior lights - ie after you open the door.

 

[slowmachine]

Actually stock comes on with interior lights - ie after you open the door.

I like it this way the best. My garage door faces the prevailing wind, which can be quite strong and cold in the winter. I get in the truck before opening the garage door to avoid the frigid blast, and open the garage door before starting the engine.

 

[micl9]

I like it this way the best. My garage door faces the prevailing wind, which can be quite strong and cold in the winter. I get in the truck before opening the garage door to avoid the frigid blast, and open the garage door before starting the engine.

Yeah we all have different needs. Mine sits out side ?. So it would be like leaving my garage door open if i wired that way.

 

[kieefer]

Okay - all done! Installed the button in the overhead console and mounted the remote to the support below the steering wheel:

I spent a good deal of time tidying up the all my wires. Between the new garage remote module, auto mirror folding module, two dash cams, two amplifiers and a LTE WIFI hotspot I have a lot going on under there.

Best,

Ed

What keeps

Since I have to park my XLT in the driveway, I didn't want to leave my garage remote on the visor. It would be too easy for someone to break the window and snag the remote to the garage door and walk away with thousands of dollars worth of tools. After looking at the price for a HomeLink or equivalent ($160) I decided to fab up my own using parts from Amazon.

I ordered up a Chamberlin Clicker universal remote, a 12V to 3V step down converter, a quality momentary push button switch, and a pack of tiny battery cable connectors and fabricated it up:

There really wasn't much too it; just a few dabs of solder to attach all the leads (please ignore my questionable soldering skills):

I had to clip out some of the plastic case at the top and the bottom to get the wires to pass through before I snapped it all back together. I also added a pigtail for the second button on the remote should I want to add it later.

Here is the unit with power off and then on:

Works like a champ! Now all I have to do is figure out where I want to install it and connect it to an accessory switched lead.

Best,

Ed

Why didn’t Ford think of this?
Nice job.

 

[Espo78]

Depends how you wire it. I installed a Lariat visor with home link (I think $60 at JunkYard)and tied it to ign hot line rather than the always on setup of the stock wiring. Actually stock comes on with interior lights - ie after you open the door.

I would be pissed if I had homelink in the Ranger and it worked that way. In every other car I've had it in it only works with the key in the ignition. Otherwise why even have it instead of a clip on opener?

Did you run the wire directly to the fuse box? I've heard there is wiring near the rear view mirror but I Have an XL and I haven't been able to find any wiring there. It's something I really want to add. The Junkyard visor seems to be the best option for me.

 

[Jrel209]

Safest way is just to add it to your phone

 

[micl9]

I would be pissed if I had homelink in the Ranger and it worked that way. In every other car I've had it in it only works with the key in the ignition. Otherwise why even have it instead of a clip on opener?

Did you run the wire directly to the fuse box? I've heard there is wiring near the rear view mirror but I Have an XL and I haven't been able to find any wiring there. It's something I really want to add. The Junkyard visor seems to be the best option for me.

I tapped into a ign switched line in the A pillar. It does go up to the mirror.

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