DIY - Adding ambient light(s) to 2023 Maverick XL/XLT for <$10

[blackb13]

Instead of ordering the factory part, I decided to just make my own ambient/console light.

Remove the lid (clips circled in green, other clips are hidden towards the back) and unplug the harness (red circle) that is used to illuminate the USB ports.

(picture credited to @Executech)

You'll tap into the white/stripe for your (-) ground and purple/stripe will be your 12v (+) positive - these will dim along with the dimmer switch on the dashboard. The yellow/stripe is switched 12v that can be used for some other low power accessory. Dash cam, etc...

I used an LED light along with a 1k ohm resistor, soldered them together, wired everything up with some spare 18ga and taped them up. Shrink tubing would also work, but I didn't have any and didn't want to go back to the store. I used a 3M Command Strip and mounted it where the factory light would've been (there's an outline in the molding).

Edit 2/20 - added footwell lights as well:

Sponsored

 

[Don806]

Very nice mod and instructions!

 

[GonnaGetItOneDay]

Instead of ordering the factory part, I decided to just make my own ambient/console light.

Remove the lid (clips circled in green, other clips are hidden towards the back) and unplug the harness (red circle) that is used to illuminate the USB ports.

(picture credited to @Executech)

You'll tap into the white/stripe for your (-) ground and purple/stripe will be your 12v (+) positive - these will dim along with the dimmer switch on the dashboard. The yellow/stripe is switched 12v that can be used for some other low power accessory. Dash cam, etc...

I used an LED light along with a 1k ohm resistor, soldered them together, wired everything up with some spare 18ga and taped them up. Shrink tubing would also work, but I didn't have any and didn't want to go back to the store. I used a 3M Command Strip and mounted it where the factory light would've been (there's an outline in the molding).

Looks pretty good. I might purchase some more and do the footwells.

Hell yes! I was following your other post on this. You went from "Ford took this away from the 23" to "now my 23 has it" in a weekend! Definitely saving this if I feel like I want that extra lighting when mine comes in.

 

[trpttrooper]

Please let us know if you do the foot wells, I have the ambient light in my '22 but would really like some in the foot wells

 

[unclerunkle]

Nice work!

A variable resistor or potentiometer would be neat to add along with a dial so you could individually control the brightness of each area.

 

[Dad]

Instead of ordering the factory part, I decided to just make my own ambient/console light.

Remove the lid (clips circled in green, other clips are hidden towards the back) and unplug the harness (red circle) that is used to illuminate the USB ports.

(picture credited to @Executech)

You'll tap into the white/stripe for your (-) ground and purple/stripe will be your 12v (+) positive - these will dim along with the dimmer switch on the dashboard. The yellow/stripe is switched 12v that can be used for some other low power accessory. Dash cam, etc...

I used an LED light along with a 1k ohm resistor, soldered them together, wired everything up with some spare 18ga and taped them up. Shrink tubing would also work, but I didn't have any and didn't want to go back to the store. I used a 3M Command Strip and mounted it where the factory light would've been (there's an outline in the molding).

Looks pretty good. I might purchase some more and do the footwells.

That came out very nice! Good work and thanks for sharing. I'm sure many will want to know where to get the part.

 

[Polak658]

I have a 2023 Lariat that does not have the console ambient lighting. Could I order the 2022 part and would it include the LED and necessary wires?

 

[blackb13]

I have a 2023 Lariat that does not have the console ambient lighting. Could I order the 2022 part and would it include the LED and necessary wires?

The lariat may or may not have the harness/plug for it. I know the XL/XLT do not, which is why I just bought the parts and diy'd it. I should know more when I go to the dealership on Thursday and have them look it up.

 

[Polak658]

The lariat may or may not have the harness/plug for it. I know the XL/XLT do not, which is why I just bought the parts and diy'd it. I should know more when I go to the dealership on Thursday and have them look it up.

Thanks, keep me posted.

 

[blackb13]

Thanks, keep me posted.

Ok. Without ordering the part and being 100% sure...

There is a difference in part numbers between the 2022 and 2023. The 2022 part appeared to have the cutout for the light, while the 2023 does not have it.

2022 cover: NZ6Z26044F58BA
2023 cover: NZ6Z26044F58AA

The light assembly includes the light and the female plug. From what we could see, there is no separate harness that you can buy to use with it, as the entire dash harness is one part number. So, even if you do order the factory light, you're going to have to cut the plug off of it and hardwire it.

Light assembly: NZ6Z14A318A

As far as I can tell, my method is the most cost effective and doesn't involve cutting an opening into the cover for the light.

 

[Polak658]

Ok. Without ordering the part and being 100% sure...

There is a difference in part numbers between the 2022 and 2023. The 2022 part appeared to have the cutout for the light, while the 2023 does not have it.

2022 cover: NZ6Z26044F58BA
2023 cover: NZ6Z26044F58AA

The light assembly includes the light and the female plug. From what we could see, there is no separate harness that you can buy to use with it, as the entire dash harness is one part number. So, even if you do order the factory light, you're going to have to cut the plug off of it and hardwire it.

Light assembly: NZ6Z14A318A

As far as I can tell, my method is the most cost effective and doesn't involve cutting an opening into the cover for the light.

Thank you for looking into this. So those part numbers you listed are for the Lariat trim? Also, would I just splice into the 12V wires like you posted earlier and will that light adjust brightness/turn off and on as I make the changes in the settings for all the ambient lights?

Also, my current console plate has the LED cutout visible. Does that just punch out or does the 2022 console plate actually have that area clean cut already with the hole for the LED?

 

[respi133]

Also, would I just splice into the 12V wires like you posted earlier and will that light adjust brightness/turn off and on as I make the changes in the settings for all the ambient lights?

You'll tap into the white/stripe for your (-) ground and purple/stripe will be your 12v (+) positive - these will dim along with the dimmer switch on the dashboard. The yellow/stripe is switched 12v that can be used for some other low power accessory. Dash cam, etc...

From the OP looks like yup

 

[Polak658]

Ok. Without ordering the part and being 100% sure...

There is a difference in part numbers between the 2022 and 2023. The 2022 part appeared to have the cutout for the light, while the 2023 does not have it.

2022 cover: NZ6Z26044F58BA
2023 cover: NZ6Z26044F58AA

The light assembly includes the light and the female plug. From what we could see, there is no separate harness that you can buy to use with it, as the entire dash harness is one part number. So, even if you do order the factory light, you're going to have to cut the plug off of it and hardwire it.

Light assembly: NZ6Z14A318A

As far as I can tell, my method is the most cost effective and doesn't involve cutting an opening into the cover for the light.

The LED light assembly has 3 wires it looks like. Do you know which wires I would use to hardwire it to the USB port as you did?

 

[blackb13]

Also, my current console plate has the LED cutout visible. Does that just punch out or does the 2022 console plate actually have that area clean cut already with the hole for the LED?

From what I could see from Ford's part lookup, yes, it's precut. However, without actually ordering it and being 100%, I can't say for sure.

The LED light assembly has 3 wires it looks like. Do you know which wires I would use to hardwire it to the USB port as you did?

Without having the factory light to see, I couldn't tell you. One of the wires could be an output to connect to other lights, be a secondary 12v, provide feedback signal the radio, etc... Regardless, if you're retrofitting it, you'll only need 2 wires.

Maybe someone with a 2022 is willing to take a look at theirs to confirm. Or if you order it, you'll be able to tell us what they do.

 

[Polak658]

From what I could see from Ford's part lookup, yes, it's precut. However, without actually ordering it and being 100%, I can't say for sure.



Without having the factory light to see, I couldn't tell you. One of the wires could be an output to connect to other lights, be a secondary 12v, provide feedback signal the radio, etc... Regardless, if you're retrofitting it, you'll only need 2 wires.

Maybe someone with a 2022 is willing to take a look at theirs to confirm. Or if you order it, you'll be able to tell us what they do.

Below is a post from another thread regarding the wire colors. Based on the information below, do you reason that the yellow/green and black/blue wires would be used with the purple/white left alone? I just want to confirm that the factory LED can in fact be used with your setup and I plan to order it and the 2022 plate.

Edit: link to the post referenced below https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/ambient-footwell-lighting.19155/

Sponsored