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Greater than any car I’ve recognized, the 2022 Ford Maverick compact pickup truck emphasizes and allows proprietor upgradability, full with DIY plans and movies like this one to put in bed-rail lighting and an air compressor. So we figured we’d give this venture a strive ourselves with our personal Maverick.
Associated: 2022 Ford Maverick: Is It the Proper Measurement for the Occasions? Right here Are 6 Issues We Like and three We Don’t
I’m tempted to tease Ford for giving prospects unfinished vans and telling them, “You do it!,” however the fact is the Maverick is a good truck with which I used to be smitten from the second I noticed it — and which we later named our Better of the 12 months for 2022, Automobiles.com’s highest honor. Past that, the explanation many autos are unduly costly is that options are bundled into packages or included in trim ranges together with different options you won’t even need. A la carte choices have change into fairly uncommon, as effectively, so the chance to 3D-print equipment and add options like this 12-volt accent outlet within the mattress arguably drive down the price of the car itself. These alternatives are also enabled by Ford’s prep work to the truck, equivalent to wiring with modular connectors on the prepared behind plastic covers to both aspect of the tailgate.
This isn’t a step-by-step information, as a result of that’s what Ford’s video is, however I’ll element the problems Ford glosses over, give some further ideas, and examine my outcomes and prices to those within the video. The picture gallery up high reveals all of my steps, nonetheless, together with the obstacles I encountered.
To start out with, we determined to not set up the rail lighting as a result of our Lariat’s mattress proved lots vibrant due to the inclusion of the optionally available LED field lighting that comes with the Luxurious Package deal (accessible on the XLT and Lariat trim ranges). So I targeted on putting in the waterproof 12-volt outlet and purchased a “compressor,” which we must always actually name an inflator as a result of it’s not able to serving different compressor features.
The additional “e-DIY energy adapter” wire proven within the video’s supplies listing was really included with our Maverick, in order that saved us some money and time. Related components appear to be accessible on-line should you don’t have a spare and need to keep away from original-equipment costs. I discovered an inflator at Harbor Freight that not solely met the 15-amp spec and appeared just like the one in Ford’s video however match higher in my accomplished construct — hiding utterly below the panel that inserts flush with the mattress flooring. As a result of membership has its privileges (Harbor Freight’s Inside Observe Membership), I paid $27 for this product fairly than the listing value.
I discovered a marine-grade 12-volt outlet on Amazon for about $9, which appeared steep however included some wires of its personal, fusing and feminine crimp connectors. I set the extras apart and used connectors I had available as a result of I didn’t need optimistic and unfavorable to be the identical coloration. (The ends of the wire are clearly crimson and black, however I’m compulsive; sue me.)
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The Set up
I didn’t disconnect the Maverick’s battery as instructed earlier than beginning. I don’t see why you’ll achieve this in case your final step is to plug within the modular connector, as mine was.
Eradicating the cubby was a breeze, however solely after additionally eradicating the one cleat (pictured within the gallery) that doesn’t appear like it could impede the method — however does.
The supplied wire is lengthy sufficient that I selected to mount the outlet on the left aspect of the cubby the place it’s simple to see from the lowered tailgate fairly than the fitting aspect, the identical airplane because the tailgate. Name me loopy, however I feel electrical retailers ought to be seen and never felt round for.
Drilling the cubby wall was additionally easy sufficient. If you happen to don’t have expertise with plastic, it’s finest to go slowly as a result of it melts simply, so use a variable-speed drill. Generally a little bit softening speeds issues alongside, however it may well additionally yield surprising outcomes; proceed with warning. Luckily the outlet comes with a pleasant faceplate that reinforces it and covers irregularities in case your gap isn’t good.
In contrast to the LED lighting venture, this one doesn’t require soldering. The spade connectors crimp onto the DIY wire leads, considered one of which was prestripped.
The Hurdle
Every little thing went rapidly and simply till I tried to reinsert the cubby with the socket already secured in it with a backing nut. The again finish of it caught out manner too far to permit the cubby by the opening within the cargo-box wall. Was my outlet deeper than the one Ford used? Was my alternative of the left aspect complicating issues? I went again to the video to seek out out … and it doesn’t present in any respect. Ford already has the cubby reseated when the socket is shoved into the opening, and it doesn’t present anybody performing the mandatory step of tightening the plastic nut behind it. Why? Most likely as a result of this course of sucks!
I needed to loosen the nut virtually all the way in which to get sufficient clearance for the socket, with the wires hooked up, to move the cubby by the cargo-box wall. Then there was simply sufficient clearance, someway, to get my fingers again there to tighten the nut earlier than securing the cubby and cleat.
The 2 screws for the faceplate self-tapped and drove dwelling fairly simply with the assistance of a stubby screwdriver. The modular connectors joined with out incident, the outlet was dwell and the inflator labored superb.
Time and Value
The entire operation took me about 90 minutes, which included delays for pictures and such. In the long run, I received off cheaper than Ford estimates — $36 versus the “nearly $60” within the video. Maybe that quantity is for individuals who don’t already personal the opening noticed and wire stripper listed among the many supplies and who pay extra for an inflator.
The sort of inflator isn’t the quickest approach to fill a tire, but it surely’ll do in a pinch, and the outlet is out there for another 12-volt machine, offering it doesn’t draw greater than 15 amps. I’d characterize this set up as doable for anybody with some aptitude and a set of instruments. If it’s a must to borrow the instruments — all of them — it could be an indication that this job isn’t for you or will likely be a little bit tougher to execute.
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