Custom Rear Seat 12V Power and USB Ports

[kad]

Custom Rear Seat 12V Power and USB Ports​

My 2014 CC Express with the front jump seat did not come with any rear seat power outlets and while I've seen several others drill holes direcly into the rear vent housing, doing so involves a lot of carving into the plastic inside and the outlets I had bought would not fit so I decided to create my own extensions to install them in. The pictures below are the end result, with the design and production process in the posts afterwards.

 

[kad]

Design Phase​

The process started with a crude sketch:





The original sketch was followed by stiff paper prototypes created in SketchUp as 2D images, printed and folded. Several of these were done as the design evolved:

Once I had the shapes worked out in paper (The two sides ended up being different due to the seat belt on the passenger side attaching differently than the drivers side) the design was done in SketchUp in 3D and printed on my home 3D printer.





The design/print sequence went through several iterations to fine tune the fit (my lab assistant can be seen in the background):

 

[kad]

Production Phase​

Once the design was finalized, I sent the 3D files to Shapeways to be printed on thier laser sintering printers. This was because my home printer isn't capable of printing the surface as smooth as I wanted.

The prints came in looking very good:

I then painted them, first with Rustoleum Plastic Primer and then with SEM Colourcoat.

Note: Before painting, wash the parts with a mild soap, rinse very thoroughly and let dry completely.

 

[kad]

Installation​

I'm afraid I didn't take any pictures during the install itself, but it was fairly straightforward:

The 3D printed extensions were bolted to the sides of the vent cover with stainless steel 3/8" 6-32 bolts with washers and blue locktite.

The outlets were inserted and tightened down with their included rings.

I had to make one modification to the wiring that the outlets came with. I had to change the quick connects on the passenger side outlet to 90 degree or "flag terminals" to allow the wires to clear the jump seat bracket.

I had run wires from two unused fuses in my TIPM some time ago in anticipation of using them so I ran a power wire from one of them along with a ground wire from under the dash, through the plastic channel underneath the drivers door sill and under the carpet to come up under the drivers seat. I then attached a 2 pin weatherpack type connector, one piece to the wires from the TIPM and the other to the wires from the new outlets and connected them.

And the end result:

 

[kad]

Adding them to your own truck​

I have posted the 3D files on Thingiverse for anyone who wants to print thier own:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2933831


They are also up on Shapeways if you just want a set printed for you:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/9BHDBK2S9/ram-1500-rear-power-plug-bracket-right

https://www.shapeways.com/product/D8XN2VCWV/ram-1500-rear-seat-power-plug-bracket-left

* Note: I have not added any profit to the Shapeways prices, you pay the same as I would and I make nothing off the sale.

* Note 2: These fit my 2014 1500 CC with the Jump Seat. While I believe they will fit any 4th Gen 1500 CC, I can't guarantee that.

I used this USB Outlet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N6S2SNM

And this 12V outlet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074YVQPKH

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

This is awesome. thanks for sharing!!

 

[GIJoe2010]

That's great. But another inquiry:

How did you get rear A/C heat as an option in an Express?

I have a 14 Quad Cab 1500 Express with the front jump seat and I would love to add the AC/heat and power outlets in the rear.

 

[kad]

That's great. But another inquiry:

How did you get rear A/C heat as an option in an Express?

Umm... I don't know. I bought the truck as a CPO last year. I assumed it was standard. It has vents under the front seats that blow into the back seat as well.

I have a 14 Quad Cab 1500 Express with the front jump seat and I would love to add the AC/heat and power outlets in the rear.

I think the front seats in the QC are the same, so the pieces would probably fit. But if you don't have the rear vents there you might just be able to drill two holes into the plastic cover and mount them that way.

-K

 

[GIJoe2010]

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[AFMoulton]

That's great. But another inquiry:

How did you get rear A/C heat as an option in an Express?

I have a 14 Quad Cab 1500 Express with the front jump seat and I would love to add the AC/heat and power outlets in the rear.

Only Crew Cabs come with rear vents. Quad Cabs do not......which makes no sense.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40
2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[GIJoe2010]

That's ******** right there.

 

[AFMoulton]

That's ******** right there.

I looked into adding it to my 1500 Quad cab, and it’s a huge pain in the ass, basically pull the carpet up add the ducks, replace jump seat with a crew cab one, connect everything, reinstall carpet.

Pulling the carpet was where I said NOPE.

******** is right sir.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40
2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[AFMoulton]

Umm... I don't know. I bought the truck as a CPO last year. I assumed it was standard. It has vents under the front seats that blow into the back seat as well.




I think the front seats in the QC are the same, so the pieces would probably fit. But if you don't have the rear vents there you might just be able to drill two holes into the plastic cover and mount them that way.

-K

Just ordered those brackets. Thanks for taking the time to make the design as I was sort of at a loss for how to make it.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40
2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[TXFireMedic]

nice work.

 

[Rado]

Very nice job

 

[akennedyusmc]

That looks factory. Nice job!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ckleinfeld]

Nice work, I appreciate your contribution! Just ordered a set.

 

[ckleinfeld]

What's everyone's preferred method of adding a circuit for something like this. With all of the TIPM issues, I'm hesitant to add a 20 amp circuit on one of the spare slots. I'm leaning towards just using a relay off of the battery? Thoughts?

 

[GatheredEarth]

Yup thats badass and looks factory. I wish I had that setup.

 

[kad]

What's everyone's preferred method of adding a circuit for something like this. With all of the TIPM issues, I'm hesitant to add a 20 amp circuit on one of the spare slots. I'm leaning towards just using a relay off of the battery? Thoughts?

I used one of the 20amp circuits that normally powers the heated seats, since I don't have those but a relay setup would work just fine. If you want them live all of the time then all you need is a fuse, not even a relay.

-K