Cigarette lighter installation?

[Cornhusker]

I have a couple "blank" covers on two of the holes next to the choke. Is like to install a cigarette lighter so I can plug my cell phone charger in. LMC truck sells the whole setup. However, I don't know much about wiring so any specific tips would be appreciated.

[sargentrs]

Give some thought first to how you're going to use it. If you want to use it without having to turn the key on, you'll wire it to a constant hot like your headlights. To use it only when the key is on, wire it to a keyed hot. Even though your truck may not have come with the cigar lighter originally, the connection is typically already built into the harness. Look for an insulated female bullet connector hanging loose in the general vicinity of that hole in the dash. Here's the diagram for a '69. http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... s81-85.jpg

[Cornhusker]

Give some thought first to how you're going to use it. If you want to use it without having to turn the key on, you'll wire it to a constant hot like your headlights. To use it only when the key is on, wire it to a keyed hot. Even though your truck may not have come with the cigar lighter originally, the connection is typically already built into the harness. Look for an insulated female bullet connector hanging loose in the general vicinity of that hole in the dash. Here's the diagram for a '69. http://www.fordification.com/tech/wirin ... s81-85.jpg

Thanks for the info! I'd like it to stay hot even when the truck is off. I'll give it a shot.

[jimmy828]

I lucked up and found original one at a swap meet that looked good. It also was wired for light in socket .Sarge, you are right about the spare wire. It was on mine when i installed the lighter.

[sargentrs]

It's been so long since Maine's been disassembled, I can't remember, jimmy, was that keyed hot or constant?

[jimmy828]

It's been so long since Maine's been disassembled, I can't remember, jimmy, was that keyed hot or constant?

I have not tested the lighter yet for reason of no battery in truck The vendor that i purchased it from told me about the wire i should look for but there was nothing mentioned about switched or constant . Wish i could help. Maybe someone will buzz in and answer.

[sargentrs]

Just curious. I'm going to wire mine in constant hot. Thanks!

[68RGR]

I'll check mine but I seem to remember ALL lighters back in the day were powered all the time.

I'm pretty sure I used to push the lighters in when I was a kid in the car alone. They always popped back out and I had no key.

[Cornhusker]

I'll check mine but I seem to remember ALL lighters back in the day were powered all the time.

I'm pretty sure I used to push the lighters in when I was a kid in the car alone. They always popped back out and I had no key.

Thanks for checking.

[68RGR]

I just checked the wiring diagram and the lighter is connected directly to the main battery feed (black wire with yellow stripe) through the 15 amp fuse in the fuse block. So, the lighter socket has power all the time. Which, is as it should be, in my opinion.

[sargentrs]

I like it constant hot so that's good. Nothing more frustrating than needing to charge your phone and having to keep the key on. My wife's car even shuts off power to everything after 10 minutes even with the key on. Another way "big brother" protects us from our own selves, much to my annoyance.

[68RGR]

Don't get me started on what current day car companies do!

We had a van with dual sliding doors. The way it came, the dang thing flashed the lights EVERY TIME those doors opened . . . Why? To alert passing drivers that someone may be exiting. Know what? If my passengers are dumb enough to step out in front of a moving car, then I don't want them as passengers.

The other thing is the way some vehicle owners are to too lazy, ignorant, (insert your description here) to read the manual in order to turn off things like the lights flashing or the horn blowing every time you hit the remote. They just go with the flow. Same thing with "automatic" headlights. Why sit in a parking spot waiting for someone with the engine running and the lights on? Turn the lights off! You may need to run the engine for HVAC but with the lights on you are using even more fuel (Yep) and burning the bulbs out prematurely.

Another annoying thing is the way our SUV puts the A/C system in "outside air" when you have set it to recirculate and you change modes. Haven't figured out a way to override that one yet.

I told you not to get me started! Sorry for the rant.