OVERHEAD CONSOLE

INSTALLATION

 

Regular cab installation differs from the extended cab a little bit.  First, decide which model of console you have.  The tabs at the front will look like one of the two consoles pictured.  The difference is pointed out:

If you have the one on the right, cut the tab that is being pointed out off. 

Next, you will need to cut off the rear tabs like shown:

You can use a grinding wheel, reciprocating saw, etc.  Cut both tabs completely off so no plastic sticks up past the outer ring.
GO OUT TO THE TRUCK NOW!  You will want to remove the fuse for the dome light now.  Trust me, not only can you short the wires out accidentally, if you touch the dome light bulb when it is on, that sucker's HOT!

Figure out where your console is going to go on the roof.  It will go in the center of the roof, touching the plastic trim at the back.  You will be able to tell by the way the console fits the curve of the roof. 

Now you get to cut a hole in your headliner with a razor knife.  Here is what the hole will look like:
         
The second picture shows a view looking through the front of the console after it has been installed.  Note how the front screw tab ends up against the roof.
You now run the wires from above the dome light, above the headliner, out the hole, to the front of the console.  Hook up the wires so the console's orange wire goes to the orange wire on the dome light and the console's black wire goes to the dome light ground, as shown:

See the black wire attached to the screw beside the light bulb?  Hook up the black wire right there.  Do not attach it to the white dome light wire, or your map lights won't work unless your dome light is on.  You will have to notch a hole in the dome light assembly (above, where you can't see it) so it will go up flush.

You are ready (hopefully) to attach the console to the roof.  You will need 1 sheetrock style screw at the front (we use a 3/4" sheetrock screw).  At the rear, we use 2 #14x3/4" sheet metal screws.  It is easier to attach the rear first and then the front.  Try to get one of your buddies to stop watching and laughing and help you hold it up!  You can open the rear compartment up past the stops, so it will be out of the way:

See how it comes loose?

Here's how it looks at the rear when you get it attached:


The front then goes right up.  You can look through the hole in the console and see when the front tab just touches the metal.  The only real trick is GO SLOW.  As soon as you feel the point of the screw go through, STOP!  Then, finish it by hand.  This thing doesn't have to be super tight, you won't be towing with it!  As soon as is looks remotely snug, STOP!  Roof stars and punctures are not a new trend in sport trucks and they do happen!  Just be careful.

Replace the front cover and you should have something that looks like this:


I hope this helps out a little.  It is not meant to be a complete tell all, but it IS the procedure we use to put them in and we have done a TON of them this way.  Just take your time, don't be scared of it and remember:  Roof skins and new headliners aren't that expensive! (Just kidding.....REALLY!)