Center Stowage Compartment Downgrade

[HILLY]

Just did this mod to gain real estate back from the front stowage compartment in the center console. My previous XLT did not have the wireless charging option and I used to throw a lot of smaller odds 'n ends in there vs the armrest storage bin. I thought I would like my new setup with the wireless charging pad, but I found that it was useless to me as I found several issues:

1. The charger cannot keep up with today's phones in energy requirements. If anything with my experience (iPhone 15 Pro), it will only slow down the rate of battery discharge, but won't maintain or charge at all.
2. It's awkward to lay the phone on the charging pad as well as reaching in there to remove (big phone).
3. It's a lot of real estate lost for the angled phone area. Part of this reason is the charging module is on the backside and is somewhat large for what it is.

It wasn't much to order a new non-charging bin and rubber mat for the insert. I removed the top panel that holds the shifter and cupholders. Once that was out of the way, I was able to access the Torx screws at the front of the compartment and two 7mm screws on each side in the middle and back. Slide out and unplug the courtesy light, USB receptacle, and wireless charger plug. Remove the lid assembly (slides off via tongue and grooves) and transfer over to new bin. Transfer over the courtesy light and USB receptacle. Reinstall in reverse. Also tape or zip tie the unused charger harness to another bundle to keep from rattling.



Part #: LK3Z1513594AA - Stowage Compartment Assembly ($33.83)
JL1Z78045G34CA - Mat ($15.35)

 

[RS1design]

I agree the wireless charger is absolutely worthless.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I didn't even know that part existed. Hmmm....

 

[jtccrowder]

any photos or video of the install?

 

[smp7032b]

very interesting in seeing some pics of install, if you took any

 

[HILLY]

I didn't do any pics of the install. Kind of tore into it as soon as the FedEx guy dropped off the box. But the FSM instructions are good as well (pages 4470-4473) if you have it downloaded. Same procedure you see on any any chat group when you see people with broken cup holders, and papers that fell into the abyss of the cup holder open lid or under the IP. Get the floor console upper trim panel removed and disconnected and that's the biggie.




With the stowage compartment lid (not shown in the pic), the four purple bolts hold the compartment in. In front of those bolts in the corners are two torx screws that hold the lid assembly in place. Unscrew those and the assembly will slide out from the front of the compartment.

 

[HILLY]

More pics and comparison



WACS vs. NON. That whole angled area is now square and regained real estate

 

[smp7032b]

thank you!!

 

[GixxerJasen]

Of course, now you got me thinking. Wondering if there's some way we can we upgrade that wireless charger somehow? I've got a 3D printer and a soldering iron. Hmmm

 

[Hellwig]

"1. The charger cannot keep up with today's phones in energy requirements. If anything with my experience (iPhone 15 Pro), it will only slow down the rate of battery discharge, but won't maintain or charge at all. "

Very true. The wireless charger doesn't work for iPhone 16 pro max at all. It will try to charge the phone for the first several seconds and then will stop charging automatically.

 

[HILLY]

Of course, now you got me thinking. Wondering if there's some way we can we upgrade that wireless charger somehow? I've got a 3D printer and a soldering iron. Hmmm

The second problem with the stowage compartment now is that the USB chargers in there are also in the same boat as not being able to charge a new big phone. On the back side of the plug is an outdated USB MINI A plug that splits the power between the two TYPE A's in there (at least in mine, some have C). I'm mostly just plugging in my wireless CarPlay adapter. My phone sits up high using my Tackform magnetic mount. Plan is to run a power wire in the area to clean up the wire runs.

It is a least big enough now you can either use a MagSafe or normal cord to plug in a phone and drop in the bin and still have room to spare.

I'd be interested in what you come up with. I gotta get a 3D printer and learn this stuff too, I have too many ideas in my head I just dismiss.

 

[GixxerJasen]

I try not to get the huge phones anymore, it's just too much. My Pixel 8 Pro fits fine with a cord, even better with a 90 degree connector on the cord. I went to a wireless adapter too which has fixed all my dropout issues with the wired connectors in the car. I'm now plugged into a cigarette adapter that properly charges the phone while I drive. I still hate all the cords running all over the place, we'll see if my annoyance wins over my laziness.

 

[twernst]

I try not to get the huge phones anymore, it's just too much. My Pixel 8 Pro fits fine with a cord, even better with a 90 degree connector on the cord. I went to a wireless adapter too which has fixed all my dropout issues with the wired connectors in the car. I'm now plugged into a cigarette adapter that properly charges the phone while I drive. I still hate all the cords running all over the place, we'll see if my annoyance wins over my laziness.

Curious to know which wireless adapter your went with? I chose one off Amazon. That was cool cause it was super small, said was upgrade of prior very well reviewed model but didn’t like delay in connecting.

 

[GixxerJasen]

Curious to know which wireless adapter your went with? I chose one off Amazon. That was cool cause it was super small, said was upgrade of prior very well reviewed model but didn’t like delay in connecting.

I went with this model: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLNHL7WS?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1

My only complaint is one with Ford. When the vehicle is off, the USB ports in the center front stay on at least for a little while. While I'm pumping gas and punching data into fuelly, the phone keeps trying to connect to Android Auto because the device is still being powered and is in range. Other than that, it's been rock solid. I've only twice had problems connecting to it. Once when I forgot I turned bluetooth off on the phone, my fault. Another time my phone was having some kind of issue, and a quick reboot got it all working again.

 

[Mr Big]

Nice mod.
However, my charging cradle charges my Samsung Z-fold 4 just fine, even with the case on. I set it on the pad for road trips, since I use google maps and wireless Android auto, through a Motorola MA-1. It maintains my battery even using Amazon Music along with the maps while driving.

 

[Ugh_J]

I run a Samsung S23 Ultra via one of the two USB-C ports usually running Waze (via Android Auto), a telemetry dashboard via the MX+ bluetooth OBD2 reader, and some music app or youtube, and it will charge up pretty normally even with all that running. And doesn't get hot or even warm to the touch while doing it.

By way of comparison, the loaner 2025 Expedition I'm using while my 2020 is now back in the shop again for inspection and diagnostics (on the "new" crate trans they installed as a replacement last year...*&$^!$@#$^!*&) has the Qi pad in it and the phone gets smoking hot while not really charging. Not sure why anyone even bothers with these wireless charging pads in cars to be honest. They could help a lot with that by redirecting a little AC vent at the phone while it's on the pad.

 

[Fizzy]

The US

The second problem with the stowage compartment now is that the USB chargers in there are also in the same boat as not being able to charge a new big phone. On the back side of the plug is an outdated USB MINI A plug that splits the power between the two TYPE A's in there (at least in mine, some have C)

Our 2020 has the USB-C (and a USB-A) port there, and the C charges my iPhone 15 Max really fast.

The wireless charger is a joke though. It's a 2-fold problem:

• The power output is low
• The protruding camera lens cutout on the back of modern phones means the phone doesn't sit flat on the charge pad, so it's constantly disconnecting when the car hits a bump

You could conceivably fix the first problem by removing the charge pad and replacing the charger.

I can't see how you'd fix the second problem, short of cutting a section out of the rubber pad to accommodate the lens cutout.

 

[byathread]

My 2019 the charge pad was essentially worthless to me unless an older phone without a case was on it, even then - it'd get really hot... Cable for Android auto worked great and I didn't mind always having that door open and a cord dangling. I'd just rest it on the cup holder door (also open) with the cord routed along the side of the seat/no issues. The 2024 I test drove had Wireless Android Auto and the huge screen w/knob. That seemed to charge my Pixel 9 Pro no issues/not a ton of residual heat like the 2019. I'd probably just drop it onto the Qi charger until it gave me any issues, then just go back to a cord if it did. I do like your mod w/extra storage though! Nice upgrade, I just don't think I'd ever do it myself/care that much. Palatial storage options in these rigs!

 

[zeecarr]

Wow I am going to have to do this! The wireless charger is useless.

If you want really fast charging in the Expo the best way I have found is to use the cigarette lighter outlet. I have a "super fast charger" installed there that charges my huge samsung fold 6 from empty to full in less than 90 minutes. It sits low enough to close the flap door when nothing is plugged in.

Amazon.com

 

[BigOleFordFan]

If you want really fast charging in the Expo the best way I have found is to use the cigarette lighter outlet. I have a "super fast charger" installed there that charges my huge samsung fold 6 from empty to full in less than 90 minutes

^^THIS^^

I use this set-up in my '011 & a Pixel 9P-XL and a dash cam, since I drive with google maps, email/text & streaming music all running at the same time nottaproblemo.

I have some braided 10ft USB-C cords that are long enough to drape over the left side of the center console (aided by some stick-on clips), down to & laying under my passenger side floor mat....not the neatest arrangement, but it works for me, as I rarely have anyone sitting on that side anyways