Wish list of minor (?) changes

[Cfhopkins]

I bought a new Ranger a little over a year ago that I use for work and I'm very happy with it. I'm not into some of the involved and radical changes you all do here but I do have a couple of things I would change if I could and I'm looking for someone who has done them before. First, I would like at least one of the dashboard power outlets to turn on and off with the ignition key (to leave my GPS permanently plugged in). I assume a relay in the dash. Has anyone does this before? Second, I would like a louder horn. Not air horns, or train horns, maybe just a second horn that compliments the OEM unit and raises the attention-getting level a little. What unit do I buy?

 

[hazard-maine]

if you want a louder horn, get hella brand horns they are louder and work with the OEM horn attachments

 

[buggman]

The power outlet should be pretty easy to add to the radio bezel. There's plenty of room there.

Having it powered with the ign should be an easy mod too. You could tap into the radio's key switched power wire to trigger a relay that would have its own fused power source. That way the relay will come on with the ign and provide fused power to the outlet.

Another idea would be to use a 3way outlet adapter wired to the same relay setup, that would give extra outlets too.

For the horn... I'd look for horns from an older buick, caddy or big car or truck.
I added 2 more ranger/f150 horns and mine still isn't loud enough.

 

[Scrambler82]

First, I would like at least one of the dashboard power outlets to turn on and off with the ignition key.

Second, I would like a louder horn, what unit do I buy?

Did you get these done ?

 

[Cfhopkins]

No. I still don't know what to do. I was hoping to find someone who had done these before, and could give me specific direction, such as "yes, buy an Acme Model 123 horn and change the black wire to a #14" or "yes, connect the relay coil hot side to the blue and white wire." What I got instead was "oh, I'm sure there's some way to do it." Now that it's winter here, I'm probably going to wait until spring, but I'll be figuring it out on my own. Are you asking because you want to know how I did it? Because I have some thoughts (for what they're worth).

 

[Scrambler82]

Was interested in IF you got it done, it had been three months and I was just wondering what and how you made out.

What you were asking for in the first post, Buggman answered, what you really wanted and stated in your last post is a little different.

I have How-To on Aux Lights, use it and in place of the Lights put the Power Port and instead of the switch find the type of power you want in the circuit panel and tap that fuse for power.

Don't set up an OEM Power Port for more than 10 amps, (that's MAX).
You can run 16 ga wire for the main power but the fuse needs to be 10 amps max, maybe an 8 amps fuse if you can find it; the reason is if you had a device that draws max current for a while it may heat up the OEM Socket.
The trigger wire for the relay, coming from the circuit panel can be 18 or 20 gauge wire and add a fuse there too.

Let see what else... Run the wires in between the dash and the lower part of the windshield area, feed the wires back to where you need them. Don't use a power port just hard wire the GPS wiring directly to the relay.
Maybe add an in line switch, a double throw switch so you can turn it on with the ignition off, if need.

HORNS, as stated the Hella Horns are good, what model, beat the $hit out of me, go to the hella site and check out their horns, come back with a model and name and there might be more response.
Some horns can use the OEM Wiring but some, to be loud enough, need a relay and a direct fused path to the battery.

One more thing, when some people read these threads, they read the postings and if there is an answer they don't bother to post, why be redundant.

Another thing... buggman posted adding a power port to the bezel, what do you have now and do you already have a power port ?
What year Ranger do you have ?