Based on the current Arm & 2 Legs price of 2DN HU with GPS, I am resolved to stick with my TomTom for now......

While the Power adapter is great for my Blackberry Charger it is not so great for a GPS power cord if the GPS is window mounted.....

Does anyone know how I could hardwire my Cigarette lighter adapter TomTom cable directly into the fuse box? I am willing to cut the plug end off of the adapter to do this, but I need some direction if possible.
Thanks,
1IH

I wouldn't suggest cutting off the end of the power cable if you don't have to. I know for fact that my Nuvi 660 has the traffic receiver within the power plug, it might be the same for yours.

Many people have hardwired their gps units and other accessories, do a search for "hardwired gps", maybe just "hardwired" or "add a fuse".

Check out this thread
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...ardwire+gps%2A

Thank you!
1IH

I bought a cigarette to USB adapter for $4 from Harbor Freight. I then pulled it apart and soldered 2 wires on to the terminals. I cut the end where the spring/fuse [don't need the fuse with the add-a-fuse] was off with a dremel which made a nice lip for some some split loom which I zip tied around the body. This also helps keep the whole thing together as pulling it apart makes it so the little plastic tabs don't hold as strongly.

Then I took the piece below the steering wheel off (10mm bolts I believe) and used a "flexible grabber" tool (Harbor Freight also has these for like $2 but I think I spent $6-7 on mine at AutoZone) to pull the wire down through from the top of the dash. I used a "add a circuit"/"add a fuse". I think the one I used I picked up for Napa for like $15 but then found out Autozone has the same thing for $6. The first Autozone I checked didn't have them though. Autozone has them in with the fuses and I believe it was made by Buss and in their standard yellow packaging.

I cut the little blue butt connector off and used a pink 3m heat shrink one with epoxy as I prefer these as they are more weather resistant and sturdy although for this use it doesn't much matter.

After connecting the power to the fuse I then made a hook in the ground wire and loosened a bolt going in to the body near the fuse panel, looped the hook around the bolt and tightened it back up.

The wiring is all hidden. The cigarette part is a bit bulky and stays up on the dash. I have it tucked in to the corner though and you can't see it if you are back in a regular driving position.

When I have my TomTom in I just hook a USB cable in to that and then in to my TomTom. Then when I take the TomTom out I just take the USB cable with. I can also use this set up with my cell phone or any other device that needs USB power. If I need to I can also add in a passive powered USB hub and use that for power distribution. That can get to be a large mess of cords up on the dash though.

I prefer this way rather than hard wiring in the cord to the TomTom because then most of the cord is removable. I don't take my TomTom unless I'm heading out to unfamiliar areas because I hate having it in my vehicle as I've had a stereo and stuff stolen from my Audi, $4000 worth of amateur radio and MP3 player gear stolen from an old Ford that someone slim-jimmed open, and a few weeks ago over spring break for the local trash someone threw something through the window in my 4Runner [but took nothing].

This again also gives me the flexibility to power my phone, Mp3 player, bluetooth headset, whatever else. Then when I don't have anything in I don't have wires anywhere, just the USB base down in the corner near my VIN plate.

I'm still looking to get a RAM mount pedestal thing or something to mount my radar detector and TomTom to [RAM has a holder just for the TomTom one] so that I don't have to use the suction cups.. for both safety reasons and also so the suction cups or cup marks don't broadcast "break in to this vehicle.. GPS in glove compartment" even though I take the GPS out completely.

Hopefully that extremely long explanation gives you some ideas, thoughts, whatever.. if you need pics let me know.

Sounds very cool - any pics?

I'll try and get some pics of my current set up sometime this weekend.

I've got a inclinometer from an older 4Runner and I think I'm going to put it into a ABS plastic case that Fry's sells for electronics projects (similar things are carried by Radio Shack) and then put a USB hub in it. I'm going to dremel a hole in to it for the face of the inclinometer and then cut holes for the USB ports.

I have a friend whose dad makes cabinets and things and I'm going to see if I can use his band saw to cut a base angled to fit flush with the dash. Then I think I'll coat them boath in fiber glass or something and paint to match. I don't know if that whole plan will work out though.

Rather than cutting the TomTom wire, I removed the center console and installed a lighter outlet (radio shack or any electronics) hidden in front of the floor shifter. I tapped into the existing lighter cable and put an inline fuse in place. I then just plugged the TT into that. I use the suction cup mount on the little access panel directly in front of the shifter and run the cable out through there. That way I can easily remove everything and if I foget to remove the suction cup, at least its not on the windshield (nor is the ring) as an advertisement of the GPS.

I'm hoping to do some work on the truck today and will try and get some pics.

BB Pics would help me here. Your option is the most intriguing to me yet.
Thanks,
1IH

I considered this spot but the Tomtom was too low to be easily visible and required me taking my eyes off the road to look down. I wish it was easier to see because I really need to find a solution to having the suction cup on the window for antitheft reasons as well as safety.

This is my first attempt at posting pics, so hopefully it works. I was also worried about having the mount too low, but it actually works pretty well. I mostly listen to the commands anyway, but looking down its not really any worse than looking at the radio or the IPOD interface I have mounted just above teh TomTom. The benefiti is the unit is right at your finger tips.

I hope to be doing some additional work this week and will have the center console off so I'll try and get some pics of where I made the connections.

2nd try on the pics

ONe more try on the pics...


Here it is installed and connected...



Just the mount and cord...




Another shot installed...

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I'd like to do this for my Nuvi. Any chance you can get some pics of how you spliced in the new cigarette lighter and under the center console?

TIA

Bumping a super old thread. But really, how was this done?