Relocating the USB port

oblivionis

oblivionis

New member
I searched but couldn't find if this was done before. Our Limited has the JBL audio system that features an USB port. It is located behind the little door under the climate controls. I have a small portable USB hard drive that I'm using but I don't like how that door has to be open and the cable and the hard drive are visible when plugged in. I would like to move the USB port to the glove compartment so the hard drive is not visible when plugged in and I can leave it plugged in at all times. Has anybody relocated the USB port from its standard position? Is it complicated? I think next to the 12v plug in the glove compartment would be the perfect position.
 
Register to hide this ad
I don't think this would be overly complicated.

Look up how to remove the stock head unit, etc.. I don't know how to do on your truck. After removing that, you would then be able to access the connector, which I think essentially just pushes out after you release the clip. Take that and route it to the blank in the glovebox -- this is where the USB port is located on earlier models of the 5th gen. Use the blank from the glovebox to fill the hole you took the USB port from.

If I'm right, this shouldn't take too long or be difficult.
 
USB Port

I didn't do it myself but I had a car Audio place here in North Hollywood (International Auto Radio) swap it for the spot in the glove box. It looks perfect. They said they didn't splice anything, just moved it to the old spot in the glove box. Put the cap where it used to be. Looks like it came from the factory. They charged one hour of labor, $75.
 
That's what I was thinking I just wasn't sure if the wires are long enough to reach into the glove box. I'll give it a try.


Stifler said:
Does the 2013 not have a USB plug in the glovebox?
Click to expand...

No, under the climate controls. There is a blank in the glove box next to the 12V outlet. I really don't know why they wouldn't put the USB port there.
 
oblivionis said:
That's what I was thinking I just wasn't sure if the wires are long enough to reach into the glove box. I'll give it a try.




No, under the climate controls. There is a blank in the glove box next to the 12V outlet. I really don't know why they wouldn't put the USB port there.
Click to expand...
weird.. mine has a USB in the center stack as well as the glovebox
 
Nolarola said:
Here's your exact answer, I think.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/151658-help-moving-usb-center-stack-glove-box.html
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

Damn, so the cable is not long enough to reach to the glove box. I really don't want to cut the wires..... hmmmm.... maybe just splice into the usb wires and add another USB port in the glove box (instead of relocating the one from the center console). But where to get one that would fit into the blank space next to the 12V outlet???
 
Hey Oblivionis. I'm "the guy" who moved his USB/aux to the glove box. Please check out my post and pics.

First, let me say that I don't like tearing into my pretty truck and I have never removed a stereo or done anything behind the dash, etc. In doing this project, my knowledge base was very low and my anxiety was very high.

When I got in there, it didn't seem to me that there was any way to reroute the existing usb/aux cable. There are too many clips, wraps, and connections. It might be possible, though. I had to cut the wires, add cable, and splice it in behind the glove box. The existing usb/aux connector pops right out and you can move it into the glove box. It's still working perfectly, BTW.

In retrospect, I might look into buying the wires/harness that plug into the back of the head unit and connect to the usb/aux. If you could buy that particular harness, you could just unplug your existing harness from the head unit and let it die behind the dash. Plug in the new harness, reroute it behind the glove box, connect a usb/aux. Boom, like new.

Please post up if you do anything different or go the new harness route!!

oblivionis said:
That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

Damn, so the cable is not long enough to reach to the glove box. I really don't want to cut the wires..... hmmmm.... maybe just splice into the usb wires and add another USB port in the glove box (instead of relocating the one from the center console). But where to get one that would fit into the blank space next to the 12V outlet???
Click to expand...
 
esto70 said:
Hey Oblivionis. I'm "the guy" who moved his USB/aux to the glove box. Please check out my post and pics.

First, let me say that I don't like tearing into my pretty truck and I have never removed a stereo or done anything behind the dash, etc. In doing this project, my knowledge base was very low and my anxiety was very high.

When I got in there, it didn't seem to me that there was any way to reroute the existing usb/aux cable. There are too many clips, wraps, and connections. It might be possible, though. I had to cut the wires, add cable, and splice it in behind the glove box. The existing usb/aux connector pops right out and you can move it into the glove box. It's still working perfectly, BTW.

In retrospect, I might look into buying the wires/harness that plug into the back of the head unit and connect to the usb/aux. If you could buy that particular harness, you could just unplug your existing harness from the head unit and let it die behind the dash. Plug in the new harness, reroute it behind the glove box, connect a usb/aux. Boom, like new.

Please post up if you do anything different or go the new harness route!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for chiming in. Right now I'm thinking about splicing into the USB wires and installing an additional USB outlet in the glove box (and leave the one in the center stack still functional).
 
Hey esto70 you mentioned in your other post that you had a door on the cubby. in the center console. What year/model do you have? I have a 2011 SR5 that I am trading this week for a 2014 SR5 Premium. The one thing I am not happy about is the USB the center but I never saw a cubby door on that one. Maybe I missed it?

Anyway, great write up on moving the USB. Thanks.

Rob
 
I have a 2013 LE. It has a little cubby door that rotates down to cover the usb/aux connector.

SurferRob said:
Hey esto70 you mentioned in your other post that you had a door on the cubby. in the center console. What year/model do you have? I have a 2011 SR5 that I am trading this week for a 2014 SR5 Premium. The one thing I am not happy about is the USB the center but I never saw a cubby door on that one. Maybe I missed it?

Anyway, great write up on moving the USB. Thanks.

Rob
Click to expand...
 
USB is point to point only. To add another device you would need a hub.

Be really careful about splicing in extra cable as it is easy to cause an impedance mismatch (and data communication problems). They make short USB extension cables which are properly shielded and will likely perform well at USB 2.0 speeds.
 
T4R1 said:
USB is point to point only. To add another device you would need a hub.

Be really careful about splicing in extra cable as it is easy to cause an impedance mismatch (and data communication problems). They make short USB extension cables which are properly shielded and will likely perform well at USB 2.0 speeds.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... this is getting complicated. Maybe I should just trade in my MY13 for a MY12 :)
 
I just did this but there is no need to cut and splice anything. All you have to do is cut a few pieces of electrical tape and that will give you enough slack for the cable to reach the glove box
 
cougar428 said:
I just did this but there is no need to cut and splice anything. All you have to do is cut a few pieces of electrical tape and that will give you enough slack for the cable to reach the glove box
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info as I am looking at doing this mod as well. What did you use in your front console to replace the usb port?
 
I'm really curious about this thread for 2 reasons -

1.) I have a 2014 Limited and am thinking about moving the USB port.
2.) I work at a tech company that develops USB connectors and hubs, and am looking to do this myself so that I can have a real-world example of how to do it (We get requests for this very frequently from people who want to do almost the exact same thing).

So, here are my questions
1.) I saw the post where someone hooked up an ipod. Is that what people are normally connecting to it on this forum?
2.) Are you simply moving the connector, or do you have 2 connections?

If you have questions about USB connectivity, I can try to answer them, or get answers.

And, for the person who had mentioned about splicing and the guy who replied about using a USB hub - I did try using a 2 port USB splitter cable (it has an embedded hub), and I was able to both see a USB drive, and also charge my Galaxy S4. So, he's right - don't splice! It won't work! Use a USB hub here.
 
CRFofiddyF said:
Thanks for the info as I am looking at doing this mod as well. What did you use in your front console to replace the usb port?
Click to expand...

There is a blank cut out in the glove box so I used the piece from the blank cut out to fill the space where the USB port was.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 261 (members: 3, guests: 258)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,070
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top