Adding a Console USB Power Port to my 2007 Sport
 

Update: Though one of the ports in the unit I first installed provides 2.1A, turns out I need a more powerful option in practice. For example, when traveling, we have multiple devices to keep charged and the originally installed port can't keep up.

Based on another member's recommendation, I have replaced the original USB ports listed in this thread with a Blue Sea 1039 4.8A model. Some minor tailoring of the switch opening was necessary but I've been very pleased because the Blue Sea port provides all the power needed.

Here’s the Blue Sea installed. Wiring is the same as described in my original post below.

https://i.imgur.com/MzS6gv7l.jpg

Original Post
Others have done this but for what it's worth, here's my experience with adding USB power ports in my 4th gen 4Runner. It's a very easy mod that didn't take 2 hours total despite the problems with the plug, painting, etc.

I first used this product, which definitely presented some challenges as described in my Amazon review.

But all's well that ends well so here is the story. Fortunately, it's very easy to install and access the port so that made the problems much more tolerable.

1. I used quick splices to tap into the 12V power port outlet in the console. Considered using an add-a-circuit but this worked fine. Like the power port, the USB port is controlled by the ignition. Things to keep in mind - as others have noted, be sure the wire you're placing into the quick splice is all the way in and squeeze the metal part all the way down, and be aware that the quick splice things have this conductive jelly stuff in them (much like Vaseline) so have a rag or paper towel handy to wipe your hands before handling any other parts. (Edit: use Scotchloks if you can, they work much better.)

New edit: This pic was taken with everything plugged back in and ready to reassemble. Before you start the wiring part, just unplug the white power port plug and blue DAC switch plug. Each has a locking tab on one side and may be tight, so squeeze the tabs and gently work them until they come out. Then lay the big console piece aside and you'll have the space you need to work.

https://i.imgur.com/aaBDFewl.png

2. Here's how the port looks if installed as sold. It fits the opening perfectly but isn't anywhere close to a match for the OEM switches. BTW, I saw a question about how the OEM plugs come out of the openings in another thread. It's simple, they're held in by tabs and easy to remove.

https://i.imgur.com/Wh2Hvvxl.jpg

3. The blue light won't even be noticed by some owners but will probably seem like a blinding blue death laser to others. I fell in the middle. It's not awful but it's at the bottom right limit of my peripheral vision so it was kind of irritating at night. Pics don't do it justice...it's not that passive for lack of a better word, it's pretty bright. See solution below.

https://i.imgur.com/2LZLNfLl.jpg

4. Since I didn't like the shiny finish, I decided to take the port out and paint the easily removeable cover to better match the OEM switches. Two light coats of flat black and one light coat of a clear matte protective finish (figured it would help the paint hold up better in the long run) did the trick. Wasn't worried about covering the USB logos and figured it might help with the blue light too.

https://i.imgur.com/EbvVOomm.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/SE3C1wym.jpg

5. Painted and reinstalled.

https://i.imgur.com/xkNoP1El.jpg

6. It did help with the light. I've also ordered black dust plugs which will block it completely and keep gunk from getting down into the ports. I'll post an updated pic once those come in.

https://i.imgur.com/xopWzRfl.jpg

If anyone has any questions, fire away.

Very nice install. Thank you for the write-up!

Nice write up! Thanks!

Looks stock. Nice job.

Nice work... :rockon:

Nice! I installed one of the exact same just the other day! I like your idea of painting the top trim piece flat black. I think I'll pull mine and do the same. I wasn't really all that jazzed on the blue LED's or the gloss.

Do you all know if the DAC can be moved to the panel on the left of the vehicle. I dont have room for this mod and i dont use (dont know how to turn on) the DAC.

Looks good OP. I installed mine about 3 weeks ago. I love what you did with the black paint, I should do that.

The way I solved the blue LED issues was to pull the little circuit board out of the casing and desoldered the LEDs. No harm, no fuss and no annoying light!

Thanks to all who have commented. I really wanted the port to look as stock as possible and it turned out about as well as I could have hoped.

About this question, the best I can do is maybe. The switch should fit fine in one of your open spots, but the issue would be whether the wire bundle to the switch is long enough to reach. I don't know the answer to that.

Looks great. I'm going to install mine this weekend. Great tip about painting the top cover. I'm planning to swap out the LEDs for some orange ones.

Its a great mod, keep up the great ideas

Very clean. Well done!

Nice

I wanted a USB to always stay on while my vehicle is off. I assume I could use this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn8eZjSskms with the USB Power Port you have in your post

With the caveat that I'm no electrical expert, an Add-a-Circuit should work fine, granted of course you plug it into a constant-power slot. Also, when you buy one, make sure to get the one that fits the smaller-sized slots. I goofed the first time and bought the bigger one.

Thanks for the reply Bluesky, so I assume one wire goes to the Add-a-circuit and the other just gets grounded to the body/frame???

The Add-a-Circuit will have directions but what you described is the usual method.

I hate working with anything electrical, but this is something I really want to add to my Runner. Very cool, thanks for sharing!

Glad to be of help. I spent 10+ years on the Xterra Owners Club and learned the value of a great owners forum. Ended up doing things to my truck that I never would have had the confidence or know-how to do without a good write-up. For example, I saved a thousand bucks by replacing my own back bumper, trim, and hitch after being rear-ended a few years ago. Had a body shop straighten the frame ends and I did the rest from write-ups people had done. Found a like-new, perfect-fit, salvaged OEM bumper on Amazon of all places. :wacko:

Came here when I decided to buy a 4Runner last year and found out fast what a super resource this board is. I was able to understand what the dealer needed to do about a 4WD problem before we took delivery (replace the actuator), why the rear wiper wouldn't work (window wasn't quite up), and to fix some minor stuff (light out behind the info panel in the console). So it's great to be able to pay it forward.

Note to anyone planning this mod: It's a lot easier to do the quick-splices if you unplug the white power port plug and blue DAC plug and remove the whole top of the console. I took the wiring pic after getting it back together. I'll add this note to the OP as well.

Still have any of those Plugs ? after all what does one do with 10 covers ?

I just completed this mod this morning. Took about 20 minutes start to finish and that even included cleaning all junk around the gear shift mechanism that I found when I popped the console cover. I opted not to use the quick splices, but rather used crimp butt connectors - personal preference I suppose.

I think the supplier of the plug must've corrected a few things the OP ranted about on his review. The USB cords I have plugged in very easily and the bottom of the switch was glued neatly and firmly in place. I did repaint the switch cover to lose the gloss and match the other switches. The blue LED are barely visible during the day, we'll see at night...

Great mod and cheap too.

Actually they haven't arrived yet.

@chitown40 , the plug maker must work fast at fixing things since I just received mine and did this mod a week ago. ;-)

Mines cane in a couple days ago. Ill install next week. Been wanting to do this before OP posted. Thabks for the reminder.

I did something similar a few months ago, but put in a plug with one charge only and one usb that goes to the back of my deck. Works awesome.

Great little mod, completed mine today. Very easy and gave me a chance to replace the burned out bulb in my shifter at the same time. Quality of the unit isn't bad ... not great, but seems sturdy enough. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts.

have read all the ones on Amazon are garbage. wonder if the newer 4r would fit in the older years ? anyone tried this yet ?

For the record, I'm not saying the one I got from Amazon is garbage ... but it's definitely not the same quality as what I've come to expect from Toyota (not that I was expecting it to be for the price). For the price and ease of replacement, I could go through quite a few of these before I got frustrated and gave up ...

I agree. It's not OEM quality by any stretch but fulfills the purpose well enough.

I did notice, however, that it does not charge an iPad Air very fast at all. Obviously the wall charger will always be faster but I was hoping for more than an 8% increase in battery over the course of an hour-long drive.

what's kind of sad is that in the 2015 Limited is that they come stock though there's only one and its in the dash if I remember. also whats sad is that the Limited 2015 has a hard plastic dash but leather everywhere else with wood grain

iPads require at least 2.1a charger. I don't know if these little charging ports can pull that much without melting. Probably a good thing. Works fine with a phone or if you're not in a hurry.

I just did mines yesterday during lunch break.. took 5 minutes. I totally rigged it Just stripped the wire joined it with the 12v outlet cigarette plug and electro tape it.. No splicing.. Make sure you don't cross the power with ground. Its secure..

The light is not that bright. actually almost perfect even at night.. Color/gloss doesnt bother me.

Im cheap and got it less than OP's price.. Maybe amazon glitch it was 2 day prime ship.. Not anymore it look like,. Amazon.com: TURBO 2 Port Rapid USB Car Charger for iPhone iPad iPod CellPhone MP3 Camera Charger for Toyota Cars Series: Cell Phones & Accessories

Bummer. Wish I had seen that.

Don't know if this has anything to do with the install, but now my car won't start.
Did the install as described (2006 Limited). Very easy, no problems. However there were no blue lights on the plug so I guess it is not getting power.
Big problem is the car will not start. I have dash lights, headlights, etc. and it makes a sound like it is turning over, but not really. Hard to describe the sound. The rhythm is like it's turning over but I don't think it is.
Is there anything that I messed with in the console that would cause this?

Sorry that happened...I'm not aware of anything in this install that could cause that other than tapping the wrong wires. But I don't know what wires in the console would cause it not to start.

Did you try removing the quick splices? It's not the easiest thing but it can be done.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Yes I removed the quick splices from the rust colored wire and the white wire with the black stripe. And I tried starting with the console power plug disconnected.
I am not familiar with the wiring and what it controls, but I don't see how it would affect any other aspect of the vehicle other than the cigarette lighter, and the seat heaters.
But wanted to check and see if anyone else had any ideas.

The dust plugs ordered from Amazon finally arrived from Hong Kong (seriously) and this is how they look. I have 8 left over so if anyone wants a couple, PM me your address and I'll drop them in the mail when I get a chance.

They have small ridges on top (visible if you look closely) that help with pulling them out of the sockets.

FYI, the power is not on in this pic but when it is, there's a faint blue glow around the edges from the LEDs in the socket.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c9...t.jpg~original

My guess is you shorted something by mistake. Try checking your fuses. If it is turning over, check the EFI fuse...

Thanks to all for the great idea and helpful pics and narrative. I just completed my dual USB install, and it went well. I got the part for .99 on Ebay including shipping. I ordered 10 of the dust plugs for .99.
While I had everything apart, I replaced the clear bulb dipped in orange that lights up the gear indicators on the console. I replaced it with a white LED bulb. The LED base was a little wider than the stock bulb, so I ground down both sides of the base to make it fit. Much brighter in the light, so I'll see what it looks like tonight.

I did this same mod when i first bought my runner a few months ago, not sure if we bought the same product or not but over the weekend I started up my car and instantly noticed a burning smell. Fast forward to later in the day I was going to charge my phone and the tip of my charger had melted and the top usb slot it had been plugged into wasn't working. Then just yesterday I was dremeling one of the slots to make more room for my radar mute button to fit better and I noticed the ground wire that leads to the usb port had shorted and the wire was burnt up. So now I've gotta go dig around and find out the issue which I'm sure is something with the wiring but be on the lookout for this cause you never know what might happen

Thanks for the heads up.