This is how I turned my Gen1 xB ashtray into a 3 port lighter accessory

I like to have more than one lighter outlet available in my vehicles, and I have no use for the ashtray so that looked like the perfect spot for my mod. I think I found this XT 3 port @ Walmart, don't remember the cost, but they're cheap and you can find them @ Target or Pepboys also...



This one fits perfectly with removing the plastic clips that make the grooves the ashtray slides on and a little dremel work on this bottom plastic piece...




This is what it'll look like with the bottom bar dremeled off and plastic pieces removed...



The 3 port lighter should now slide in the opening nice and snug...




Another nice thing about this set up is the 3 port lighter I chose already has 2 mounting holes molded into the plastic cover. And the plastic plate above it which use to be the inside top of the ashtray is perfect for mounting to. So once you have it in the position you like simply drill some holes and pick up some bolts and nuts at the hardware store, Think I used #6 1 1/4" with a lock washer, I'll post them with a pic later if anyone wants. Here's a pic of the mounting holes and plate in the dash that you mount to...




Then all you need to do is tap into the stock lighter wires and TAADAAAAA!...




The silver matches the stock interior if you still have it and looks very OEMish. Or it's very easy to take a part if you wanted to paint it.... This was my first mod write up, what do you think?

 

Nice write up with pics! I might have to give this a try...thanks!

 

nicely done!

 

Hmm this gives me an idea.

I wonder if it would be possible to make a outlet box with exactly the same shape as the ashtray. Then it would slip right in.

 

If you were making your own box you can buy individual replacement outlets and fab something up. I usually have more than one thing plugged in so sliding it in and out isn't a big plus for me. Post what you come up with if you do it though.

 

This should be put in the tech section for the Xb.

 

Why do you need 4 outlets?

 

Radar detector, phone charger, iPod/MP3 player accesory, etc., etc.

 

I wanna make my own box but I also want it connected to an inverter for an AC outlet...I'm thinking about putting the inverter under the passenger seat and running an extension cord up to the center console underneath the carpet.

I'm interested in doing it this way because I like to leave no trace of what I've done.

 

Because of all the stuff ShadowOnTheBayou mentioned and on trips sometimes more than one person want's/needs to charge their phone, which is why I was thinking about running one of them to the back.

brambling, why don't you hard wire it or just run a direct hot from the battery for the inverter. That's what I'm going to do, 1 hot in direct from the battery to a distribution block that splits to my amp and the inverter.

 

That's what I wanna do. I'm trying to figure out if I want to have outlets from the inverter near the center console, or leave them under the passenger seat.

i'm thinking I could just plug an extension cord into the outlet of the inverter, but for the other side it's going to be a trick to find just what I want, which is an outlet that would attach to a flush surface.

 

how bout this?



Seems silly but it just might work, is there an electrician in the house?

 

Seriously though, I hadn't thought about relocating the AC outlets. Maybe look for a decent power strip, one that you can take the top plate off of. Depending on how good an inverter you have, you probably won't want six plugs piggy backed off one.

What about something like this?

http://www.btx.com/ItemForm.aspx?ite...8-0b6f153641b6

Think you could take this apart and flush mount it pretty easy, make your own cover plate, but if so I would think you could wire up your own outlet cheaper with the pic from my previous post if you know what you're doing.

 

The problem is going to be finding an outlet that has no more depth than nessary, and one that will mount inself to a square hole and not require another screw. I want it to look good!

 

I hear ya, if you come up with something let me know, I'm going to do something similar, but if you don't want to use screws... there's always duct tape.

 

if you had a small inverter, couldn't you just install it in the ashtray space?

 

thats an inverter not worth the space it saves. But aside from that Yes you Could.



Fab them into the Pillars and finish them with Actual home plate thingies, make it real cozy home like. And hey if you got kids just grab those clear safety plugs.[/img]

 

why would it not be worth the space that it saves?

sorry, kinda lost...

 

Unless you need to charge an electric razor, what is the voltage out on that thing? Mines about the size of z bible and it won't even run an Espresso machine.

 

Has anyone else done this? Post pictures please? I'd like to do it, but I want to see other cars with it installed.

Thanks!