Getting wires to the overhead console

[yvrr]

I need to swap out our current Pioneer GPS for a new Garmin union that we have. The Pioneer monitor is mounted near the rear view mirror with its DVD player under the passenger seat. I may be lucky and find 12v ignition-on wiring in the overhead console/storage area but if I don't, I will need to run wiring up from the old GPS/DVD player. How does the trim come off of the windshield pillar to get behind it...I don't see any visible screws. Also, if I do need to get wiring up there, I'd prefer the passenger side but that pillar has a grab iron...any problems getting that off and wiring around it?

[LeadDoggy]

The pillar panels are just held on by clips. Mine (07 E350) came off very easy after removing the grab handle. The passernger side should also be easy to remove after you remove the handle. The one thing about running wires on the passenger side might being not able to find a switched "ON" power wire. You may have to rune a sire from the driver's side.

[yvrr]

I thought about that but I should be able to grab the ignition-on power from the existing GPS/DVD player...

Thanks!

[Scalf77]

I haven't found any 12 ignition wires in the overhead, they do have house power (from the passenger side fuse). You have to remove the plugs on the grab handle and then use a socket to remove the handle, I forget the size at this time. I did have a screw going from the pillar molding into the console , remove the button and take out the screw. There is a lot of room to get wires up through that area. You may also have to loosen the visor to get the wires into the consiole area. if you have rear radio switch installed on your rig, you can tap in that location, in my case the wires are black and blue. I do not remember which wire is witch at the moment, but one side would be the 12V ignition going back to the switch, the other is the switched wire coming back to the radio. If you choose the 12V ignition wire, it will power only when it is on, choosing the other wire will tap into the rear radio house power and you can use as you would the radio.

greg

[yvrr]

Thanks Greg...

[jlrray]

If you do it, take pictures

joe