I have read were folks have put a prodigy brake controller in the ash tray. Does anyone know how to take out the plastic slides on the ashtray without breaking them. Thanks in advance. :rolleyes:

Ashtray...what ashtray? Can I have your ashtry. Sorry no help. First time I've heard of anyone having anything differant than the ashcup!

The service manual shows the whole thing coming out of the center console only. Doesn't break it down to the individual componets. Also doesn't look like it would fit mine.

Mine would not fit. I made a small "L" bracket and mounted it on the left side of the center console where the cup holders are. It is out of the way, very visable and within reach to adjust.

mounted our Prodigy using it's stock bracket to the dash high enough above the fuel peddle to be out of the way .... has worked well in that location

Jim

I have read were folks have put a prodigy brake controller in the ash tray. Does anyone know how to take out the plastic slides on the ashtray without breaking them. Thanks in advance. :rolleyes:
Ditto the question ~ from others response, the slidding ashtray must have been abandoned in the newer model trucks. It is indeed a good location but like yourself, I wish not to break the plastic so I can return to orig configuration if I sell it.

I have the 2002 GMC and I installed my brake controler in the ashtray spot. I had to take the dash apart to mount it there. I can still take it out and reattach the ashtray if needed. I don't smoke so this location was perfect for me. Out of the way and easy to reach.
I don't have the Prodigy, but it should fit just the same. I also did the conversion about two years ago so I would have to look at again to see exactly what I did.

Mine is mounted above my right knee on the kick panel. Very handy for the HOLY S Censored T stops.

mounted mine directly below the steering column. there is a strip of metal running parallel with the bottom of the plastic dash, holes were already there and lined up good with my brakemsart bracket. it snugs right up to the dash and looks clean, is easily accessible but it do not hit it getting in or out etiher. nice, did not want any holes in the plastic. connectoing the wiring harness was very clean also.

I installed mine just below the steering column. Out of the way of my long legs and is very easy to see and reach.

Mine is mounted above the right knee. Works good for me! ):h

I had a 2001 with the prodigy mounted in the ash tray slot. Just take all the guts out including the slide rails. Mount your prodigy with a little bit of slope upward using the mount that came with it. I wedged it in and then locked it in place with a screw. I then cut the face of the ashtray in half horizontally and epoxied a piece of 12 ga solid copper w/insulation wire at a 90 degree angle on the back. The wire will slide into a slot above your mount to hold the cover in place. It will appear as if the cover is coming down out of the dash to cover the controller. It looked real sharp.
When I traded the truck in they didn't even care about the missing ash tray.
Dave

The thread has meandered a bit ~ specifically, the original question pertained to removing the plastic pieces w/o breaking them. In 2 pages of responses ~ yours is the only one to come close but by inferrance you just broke/ripped out the plastic side pieces? Also guessing you let the prodigy go w/the vehicle when you got rid of it ~ I'd think the new owner would be overjoyed by your mod/upgade.

I can't imagine a better place for it ~ from several foregoing responses from those happy campers having their near their right knee, I donno why I'm not happy w/mine there ~ but I'm not. Just feel better if it were up higher in the dash ~

:( Here's my opinion on the "meandering" part of the thread. We were the 2nd owners, and had to contend with the original owners brake controller mount; an ugly metal bracket that was hanging out of the middle of the dash.-:tI had to rip the whole right side of the dash apart just to get at the 5 screws that held it in place. The good news is: with a couple of hours of labor and a couple of new clips, the dash looks like it did when it rolled off the line. I use our "cubbies" for cell phones and glass cases, choosing to mount the Prodigy near the right knee. It's out of the way, yet easily accessible. The wire harness was plenty long enough, and it was a painless install. Removing it would leave 2 small screw holes that would be somewhat hidden, and still leave the truck nearly "stock".

ShumDit,
Were you having a bad day? There was no ripping or breaking involved. It was a good looking install, in the dash, out of the way of your knees, and very handy to reach. I took the prodigy out when I traded. I gave the dealer the parts and all he had to order was the face of the ash tray. If you like to read negative things into posts why don't you do it somewhere else?
Dave

? ? ? Guess its apparent who's having a bad day. Read again ~ there's nothing negative in my previous. Pointed out question as asked and the fact that question is unanswered and remains so. If there were no breaking involved pls do tell how it was done ~ thats all. There's at least 2 minds on this thread wanting to know HOW it was done and not just that it was done. We are aware it can be a clean install ~ have seen them and have concern that we can do it cleanly also. The plastic rails the tray slides on must come out for the prodigy to fit in ~ or are you saying you removed the complete sheetmetal box? com'on now, is that too much to ask?

Black Max ~ hear you. You CC guys have the cubby that EC folks don't. Our airbag deactivate switch is were your cubby is. Better off w/the prodigy near my knee than anything kludgy looking.

Knock yourselves out guys. Here are the mysterious directions for a prodigy install copied from RV.NET.

"You can mount the Prodigy in the ashtray without removing the metal track framework.

First you need to remove the plastic tracks the ashtray slides into. Do this by pulling out on small tabs near the back of the track. They are hard to get to, but once released the plastic inserts slip out. The Prodigy pocket mount will then just fit in the metal framework left in the opening. Slide it in and secure with sheet metal screws up into the metal ashtray framework.

There is about an inch of space behind the pocket mount for wires. The Prodigy slips right in with just enough protruding from the dash to reach all controls."

Dave

On my 2003, I mounted the Prodigy brake controller in the lower slot of the center console (no ashtray in my truck, just ash cup which is now my change holder). The plastic slot assembly just snaps out (spring clips) after pulling sharply on it and snaps back in when your finished. I then drilled a hole in the back of the slot to run wiring through, mounted the brake controller mount to the upper side of the slot with 2 screws. Looks great, out of the way and very accessible for manual control of the trailer brakes.

Byronlj ~ Thanks much. Exactly what was needed ~ plan to do it when return back home. Like your idea using the ashtray face for a finishing touch ~

Thanks for the info even if it is comming from a Bronco fan. A fellow Raider fan is greatful. I will mount in the ashtray it seems like the best place for it to me.

I just put a little velcro on mine and it sticks to the floor. Unplug it when not towing and stick it in the center consol. Keep it in the case when not in use. Just tuck the wires under the dash when unplugged. Pretty easy and out of the way. No reason to make it too tough.