I want to drill another hole in the pocket behind the gear selector, where the ciggy lighter was, that i swapped out for a a dual USB power socket. Is it easy to remove the selector to be able to get in with my cone drill bit. Maybe only remove the grip bit to get a little more clearance.

Thanks guys and gals, Happy Easter.

Sounds similar to what @StephenFord has done with the extra cigar power socket. He might be able to advise.

Using a cone cutter might be a problem if you intend doing it while it is still in place as they will protrude quite a depth by the time you get the hole a big enough diameter.

1 minute ago, unofix said:

Sounds similar to what @StephenFord has done with the extra cigar power socket. He might be able to advise.

I'm afraid I'm no help whatsoever! On my ancient Mk2, it was really straightforward to remove the center bit of trim, and before drilling holes just to measure the exact space to see if a new socket would fit.Though it was an invaluable addition as I have all accessories powered by it, knowing it'll power down when I remove the key (Ford though it funny to keep the factory fitted one live permanently)

 

Cheers guys, i may look at putting it elsewhere, i need to put a ciggy socket back in to run my compressor etc

The ashtray cubby can be removed on Mk2 easily to be drilled on a bench (not the same on Mk2.5).

Just unclip and lift the flat plastic surround below the gear selector.  Then the whole cubby can be pulled out with the lighter socket attached.

There is a bit of a knack to getting it out as it needs to be lifted slightly and then rolled up and out, but you'll know what to do when you're there.

5 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

There is a bit of a knack to getting it out as it needs to be lifted slightly and then rolled up and out, but you'll know what to do when you're there.

Who doesn't love a bit of, 'Carry On..' innuendo of a Sunday LOL 🤣

Ay there's the rub, mines a 2.5 with the arm rest bit fitted, or was retro fitted before i owned it plus its a Ghia which generally means PITA to fix LOL

Will have a fiddle tomorrow as i got watching the Arsenal ladies win

Ooooooh Matron !!!!!

The Ghia spec was dropped when the facelift was released.  Perhaps yours is a Mk2.25 lol?

Can you post a picture of the past you want to drill as we may be looking at different parts.

No idea i think its possibly a Heinz. As requested - 

Excuse the mess in the footwell, i like sweeties and lollies when driving

13 minutes ago, Jimpster said:

No idea i think its possibly a Heinz. As requested - 

Ok, so that is a pre-facelift.  You can see the 'lip' on the plastic surround just ahead of the chrome trim around the gear selector.  That's the part you have to lift &remove in order to remove the ashtray. 

However....your car doesn't have the ashtray!  😮  I wrongly assumed all Ghia's would come with the smokers pack.  Ghia was meant to be Grandad spec, surely they all smoked back then?  

 

 

So you are left in a difficult situation now.  Personally I wouldn't want to drill that part of the dash in situ as there's a risk of hitting wiring or the AC/heater matrices behind.  Though if you do want to do it, you can still remove the trim above the gear selector, then there are 4 bolts holding the whole selector assembly to the chassis.  The stick itself can't be removed on it's own as far as I'm aware.  The alternative is to put the socket elsewhere as you've already suggested.

 

PS - Have you seen the folding gear selector on the new F-150?  That would be useful here, though being a Ford I don't think I'd trust it to pop back up again!  

 

 

thank you sir, hence the Heinz comment, will see where i can get the depth to mount the socket, safely

if its just for a compressor can you not put the socket in the glovebox where the radio aux in or airbag de-activation switch would go? or is that where the ice lollys are kept?

good thinking batman

when i fitted my towbar ther was a  aux socket connetion in the boot (driver side) up around the curteosy light area that i i used  .. i beleive an extra aux socket in the boot was an optional extra and the wiring is already there .. i put an inline fuse on it and used it for the bypass relay

will have a shufty cheers

As an addendum -- some vehicles allegedly have a 12v power feed in the boot behind the carpet on the right. theres also a thread on here for fitting one there, now the nice weathers finally here will get to this job