Blazer Forum - Chevy Blazer Forums - Cigeratte Lighter Bass Knob DIY

I've seen a few threads on other websites asking about turning the Cigarette lighter into a Bass Gain Knob, well this morning I got bored and decided to give it a shot. So in case anybody was curious on how to do this project here is a walk through. Keep in mind I did this for a 98 and I'm not sure if the same steps will apply to other year models.

First take out the inner piece of the ashtray, then remove the two screws holding in the inner piece. http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...5-27103619.jpg

Step Two: There is a connector on the back of the lighter, you can trace it up to inside the dash and disconnect it. Afterwards unscrew the lighter assembly from the inner piece of the ashtray. (Don't have a picture, sorry)

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...5-27095846.jpg

Step Three: I don't have a picture of this because I started taking pictures after I had already done this part but, take a pair of needle nose and take the coils out of the lighter, unscrew the little nut on the back side of the of the lighter housing, it's inside the copper area. After that the two inner pieces should separate. Now you'll have to take a drill and drill out the hole in the back to allow for your gain knob to fit through. Also you have to be careful to not bend the silver inner piece too much. Or if like me you can bend and somewhat cut out the hole back side of the housing. (see step four pic)

Step Four: Take your Epoxy and mix it up. I got mine at Autozone for 4.99 and it was the 60 Sec. set time, if you can work it fast enough I recommend it but, if not they should have a 4 minute set time Epoxy as well. Take the lighter housing (should be the one with the drilled hole) and set it back in it's mounting position and apply your epoxy generously to ensure that it's not going to go anywhere. Also drill a small hole in the middle of your bass knob, it should be the little plastic part where you would have turned up the gain on the original bass gain knob. After you drill the hole, there should be a little point in the area of where the coils used to be, insure that the knob fits snugly and apply epoxy so that it won't come off the lighter.

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...5-27095751.jpg

Step Five: Disassemble your bass knob and make any neccessary modifications to the guts of the bass knob. Make sure you do not take out any of the electrical area though. I had to shave down some of the sides of mine.
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...5-27095832.jpg

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...5-27095759.jpg

Step Six: After your epoxy has dried on the lighter housing and on the knob in the lighter you should be able to slide your bass gain knob guts back into the the original knob. Once the guts slide back on the knob, apply another generious coat of epoxy to the bottom side of the bass knob guts to the cigeratte lighter housing, I some what flatend mine out to the guts kinda sat on it. Let your epoxy dry once again. While your waiting, you can run your wire that attaches to the back of the bass knob up behind your dash and into the ashtray area (should be a phone line type). After your epoxy is dry hook up the wire again.

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...5-27103611.jpg

Step Seven: Once all your epoxy is dry, it's reassembly time from here. Re insert your ashtray inner piece, insert the two screws that held it in and that's it. You now have a cigeratte lighter that adjusts your bass.
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...5-27103806.jpg

Hope this helps out