Help moving USB from center stack to glove box

[esto70]

So, I recently traded my '11 LE for a '13 LE. Yep, I'm "that guy." As you know, the '13s have the USB port in the center stack, and I'm wishing it was still in the glove box. I started to dig (just a little) into the glove box and center stack area today...to see what might be involved in moving the USB connector into the glove box. Before you flame me, yes I've searched. I think I've read every thread on adding switches and removing the center stack and stock radio. I more of less know how the center stack comes apart.

In a nutshell, here's what I'd like to do: I want to switch the USB/aux plug in the center stack with the blank switch cover (USB plug on older models) in my glove box. Possible? No?

I guess what I need help with is how the current USB plug attaches to the back of the center stack below the heat controls. Will the USB/aux plug just pop out once I get everything torn apart? I'm sure in can buy the USB/aux plug and the blank cover (might want an extra) but where the heck is is listed in the oem parts catalog? Any thoughts on how to extend the USB/aux over to the glove box?

Any help or pics would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mikey2times]

I want to do the same thing. I'd also like it so I could have BOTH. One in the glove box for my iPod and one in the centerstack so I can charge my phone.

 

[hamburglar210]

I want to do the same thing. I'd also like it so I could have BOTH. One in the glove box for my iPod and one in the centerstack so I can charge my phone.

I've noticed that mine won't charge my phone if the battery is too low... so I keep a cig charger in there.

 

[derekp]

Have you made any progress here? I'm not sure if you could pull the port behind the dash and place a splitter there to route one to the glove box (or the console) and route one back to the original position. A few websites to check for parts would be microcenter and partsexpress.

 

[nglayton]

How about this...

3ft USB 2.0 Panel-Mount Type A Male to Type A Female Cable for only $1.83 | Cables

 

[esto70]

Done!

Sorry for the slow reply to those of you that asked. I finished the project last weekend, and it turned out MUCH better than I expected. I have never done anything like this before, so my pucker-factor was sky high. I was literally sleepless the night before thinking about tearing into new brand new 40k truck.

I uploaded and attached some pics:

Pic 1:
I started by opening the glove box to see how easy it was to remove the plug where the USB/AUX port was "supposed" to be. The plug came right out. I was worried that I might have to remove the glove box, but it's not necessary.

Pic 2:
I took the center console apart to have a look at the wires. This is surprisingly easy. I thought that I could maybe just re-route the USB/AUX wire harness up to the glove box, but I don't think it's possible. It's too short and secured in a bunch of places behind the dash. The wires have to be cut re-wired.

Pic 3:
I cut the USB/AUX connector off. The USB part has 4 wires (red, white, purple, brown). The AUX part has 5 wires (3 different blacks, white, red). I had to mark all of the wires and go to radio shack to get wire, shrink tube, a soldering tools. I marked, cut, spliced, and soldered all of the wires. I basically made wire a wire harness extension and routed that through the glove box hole and behind the dash into the center stack. That was spliced and soldered to the existing wires.

Pic 4:
Here's the USB/AUX plug dangling out of the hole in the glove box right before I tested it.

Pic 5:
Everything works fine! I really can't believe the I didn't royally eff something up, but so far so good! And no, I did not leave that stubby little USB cable in there.

Overall, this project is quite do-able. Like I said, I was REALLY apprehensive about it, and it turned out fine. My ipod is safely out of sight and out of mind in the glove box!

 

[Mikes-13]

This is a planned project for me too. Did you consider finding a male and female harness connector and just make an extension cable?
Is it still working good?

 

[fraggy]

Hi:

I traded my 11 for a 13LE as well, and would preferred the USB port in the glove box. Did you leave the USB port in the dash but non functional.

 

[esto70]

Still working fine

The USB port is still working perfectly. I haven't touched my iPod in months, and it plays fine with good sound. In fact, I just brought it back inside for the 1st time a few days ago to update iTunes.

Honestly, I never thought about a harness to bridge the distance from the center console to the glove box. A plug-n-play solution would have been fantastic. Please post up if you find something that works.

This is a planned project for me too. Did you consider finding a male and female harness connector and just make an extension cable?
Is it still working good?

 

[Gabex35]

Subd. Great idea

 

[noncontributingzer]

Did you consider putting a USB hub inside the dash where the original plug was, and then ruining a USB cable extension to the globe box? That way, there is no cutting or soldering involved, and you can retain usage of both ports. The OM says that you can use two drives simultaneously this way.

 

[Go JayBee]

Just an idea. I mess with computers at work...I'm that "IT Guy". The Front USB ports on most boxes, connect to the MotherBoard with a multi-pin header. I'm wondering if that would connect to the existing wiring???

Nice job of figuring out the wiring though, [MENTION=71693]esto70[/MENTION]

I have the Glove Box USB in my 2012 TE and like it there. I did find a USB hub/cable w/ one male and 4 female connectors which allows more than one item to be connected. i.e. i-Pod for music, and cable for charging i-Phone. Think it was around $5 from China. Nice to have for other stuff as well...want to expand your LapTop for example.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

Wow, I had no idea that the USB hub used to be in the glove box (I have a '14 SR5). One of the first things I wondered was why Toyota located the damn thing on the center stack. So dumb IMO, even more so since they apparently got it right the first time. I guess they maybe moved it so folks could charge their phones easier, but you can always use one of the 12V sockets for that. Actually, I think the ideal place for the USB port would've been the center console. Oh well.

Anyway, to the OP, I'm wondering if you have an "after" pic of the center stack? Or did you just leave the stock cover over the USB port? I don't so much mind seeing the port there, it's just that using it becomes problematic since you can't stow an iPod out of sight.

 

[esto70]

Bimmer-bob,

Sorry, I don't have an after pic of the center stack. When I moved the usb/aux port to the glove box, I plugged the hole in the center stack with the original blank from the glove box. Easy, cheap, and it retains the stock look.

Like you, I was unhappy with having my iPod in plain sight sitting in the cubby in the center stack. I tried all sorts of tricks to make that work. I even bough a right angle usb adapter so that I could stuff my iPod in the cubby behind the cover, but it wouldn't close all the way. That bothered me (yay, OCD!) so I knew I had to move the usb to the glove box.

Wow, I had no idea that the USB hub used to be in the glove box (I have a '14 SR5). One of the first things I wondered was why Toyota located the damn thing on the center stack. So dumb IMO, even more so since they apparently got it right the first time. I guess they maybe moved it so folks could charge their phones easier, but you can always use one of the 12V sockets for that. Actually, I think the ideal place for the USB port would've been the center console. Oh well.

Anyway, to the OP, I'm wondering if you have an "after" pic of the center stack? Or did you just leave the stock cover over the USB port? I don't so much mind seeing the port there, it's just that using it becomes problematic since you can't stow an iPod out of sight.

 

[Trails4]

Very Easy to Move USB in '15 TPE

As an update to this thread for anyone looking for info on the '15s:

I completed the center stack to glovebox swap in my '15 TPE today. Took all of 20 minutes, and mostly due to removal of the console.

It was hard to find a clear writeup on trim removal from the center stack, so I'll touch on that here.

To remove the trim from the A/C and lower center stack, start on the passenger side. Remove the side trim piece that fits around the temp knob and passenger airbag light by pulling gently from left to right on the inside (better purchase with fingers, no tool needed.) This should pop out fairly easily. Next, the driver's side piece actually houses the A/C knobs themselves and is shaped like an upside down 'L' (this is what got me for a while as I didn't want to break anything...) You can start removing it by pulling the trim/baseplate behind the temp knob and work your way across the top of the panel to the airflow knob. The whole piece will pop out and will be connected to 1 harness clip behind - just remove the clip and the piece is free.

Next remove the center console: unscrew the shift knob and the transfer case knob by hand, I found the transfer case knob to be fairly stuck on there. Then, start on the passenger cupholder side and just pull gently outward and upward on the center console trim, this should pop up fairly easily too. On the TPE and I'm assuming the SR5P, the seat heater harness is on the outside of the passenger cupholder. Disconnect this so you can remove the whole trim piece easily.

Next, remove the small strip of trim below the center stack storage slots. Then unscrew the 2 phillips screws holding the storage slots/USB/12V socket. This piece will then pop out from top to bottom, and just requires an extra tug to get the bottom free. Remove the USB harness and the 12V harness.

From there, I removed the tape holding the USB wire onto the back of the mounting plate. I found it only needs to be removed up to the right hand corner where the wire turns up toward the head unit. From this point, it's just a matter of opening the glove box, popping the switch cover out, and opening the access point on the left interior of the box. You can easily fish the USB wire around and through the now open switch hole. Plug the harness back into the USB/AUX outlet and pop it into place.

Reverse all the steps to get things buttoned back up and you're done. The process was so quick I didn't think to take photos at the time - esto70 has it well covered though.

 

[bartvonwolf]

Just read this thread after taking possession of my new 2016 Trail Premium today. I was definitely disappointed with the lack of USB under the center console arm rest or in the glove box.
[MENTION=123879]Trails4[/MENTION], are you saying no splicing is required at all? That there is enough slack to go into the glove box with the cable as is from the factory?

Thanks - Bart

 

[Deuskid]

great mod. want to be able to find this later to do as a project.

 

[-dustin]

Just read this thread after taking possession of my new 2016 Trail Premium today. I was definitely disappointed with the lack of USB under the center console arm rest or in the glove box.

[MENTION=123879]Trails4[/MENTION], are you saying no splicing is required at all? That there is enough slack to go into the glove box with the cable as is from the factory?

Thanks - Bart

I was about to say that my 15 has a USB port in the center console, but JK. I have a little plug that goes into the cig lighter thing. Technical terms.

But yeah, I'm also wondering if there was no splicing needed. I hate that I have a wire dangling out all the time.

 

[bartvonwolf]

Yeah, just picked up my 2016 yesterday and was a little miffed that this is the only place to attach my iPod. Looking in the glove box, there are the two blanks where it should be, or even better, should be in addition to the one in the center stack. To me, there really should be one under the center arm rest, in the center stack AND in the glove box.

At this point I just need to know if there is enough slack in the cable that will allow me to move it over to the glove box slot. So stupid to have my iPod sitting out all messy all the time.

Otherwise, this rig is effing SWEET.

Bart

 

[bartvonwolf]

Just in case someone comes looking like I did, on the 2016s this mod takes about 10 minutes if that. All you need is a Phillips head screw driver and a razor blade or Xacto knife.

0) Probably wise to disconnect the negative battery post, although I didn't.

1) Pull the trim off around the climate control knobs, as stated, start pulling from the bottom, the whole fascia comes off as one piece pretty easily, and by one piece I mean both left and right are one single piece held in with pressure clips.

2) Remove the two obvious screws and slightly pull on the lower fascia that houses the USB/AUX port, it will unclip and come forward a bit just enough for you to....

3) ....disconnect the USB/AUX wire from behind.

4) Then, pinch the clips retaining the USB/AUX port from behind and push out through the hole towards you.

5) Open the glove box and remove the little door on the left side.

6) Reach around the back through the big hole on the left and pop out the blanking cover over the rectangular hole in the glove box and then put it over the hole you just made in the center stack.

7) Then carefully cut the tape holding the USB cord behind the center stack, there are two pieces of tape to carefully cut. Once cut, the cable will have more slack. You will probably have to undo one of the cable retaining clips to get enough slack to pull into the glove box. Said clip will become obvious while doing this, and it is easy to access and undo.

8) Now you have enough slack to pull the cable through the opening on the left side of the glove box interior and feed the cable through the rectangular hole.

9) Plug the cable back into the USB/AUX port and then snap it back into place in the hole.

10) Button everything back up in the reverse order, your done!

Bart