USB, Aux Input & 12V Outlet In Console - Write-Up

I installed a Grom Audio Adapter a few months back, but got tired of the bundle of cables in the glove box. So I thought I'd install a USB, 8 pin mini DIN, and 12V receptacle in the console. There is already write-ups on how to install the Grom Adapter on this sight as well as on the Grom Audio site, so I won't cover that here. The hardest part of this install is making the 8 pin mini DIN adapter to mount in the console.

I bought a bag of 10 pack of 8-pin mini DIN PCB mount connectors on ebay for $5. It's a good thing it came in a pack of 10, because I ruined a few of them trying to solder the tiny pins.




I connected two of these together using a 6" long shielded 8 conductor cable.

The picture below shows one end soldered to the cable. The clear tubing is heat shrink tubing, before heat shrinking. I insulated each inividual pin with heat shring tubing. I also connected the shield to avoid any noise problems.


This next picture shows the heat shrink tubing being applied to the soldered joints.


The next picture shows one end completed, and completely wrapped in heat shrink tubing. This end is the end with the flange.


I ground the flange off the other end. I will explain later.


Here is the completed cable.


The most difficult part of the install is done.

Next, I removed the console. I first took the carpeted mat out of the console, and removed the two bolts from the bottom. (The bolts are circled in red.)



I then removed the shift knob by simply unscrewing it. I then removed the shift lever cover. (That's the one with the centre cup holder.) Just grab a hold of it and pull up. That exposes the two screws that hold down the front of the console. Remove the two screws (circled in red) and the console should pop out.



I then drilled three holes in the console, one for the 12V outlet, one for the USB connector, and one for the 8 pin mini DIN connector. Here is the view from inside the console.


Here is the view from outside the console. Note the key notches I put in with a file to keep connectors from spinning. The largest hole to the left of the picture has a notch at the top. It's for the 12V outlet. The hole in the middle has a notch on the side. It's for the USB. The small hole has no notch. it is drilled slightly smaller than the mini DIN connector, and the connector doesn't spin in the hole. Note that I removed the fuzzy material off the outside of the console before drilling.



Here is an outside view of the connectors installed. The DIN connector had the flange ground off so it will fit through the hole. The USB connector was purchased from Grom for $20. The 12V outlet was from ebay for $6.


Here's the finished product.


I connected the 12V outlet to the lighter circuit, plugged the USB cable into the Grom USB port, and used a 6' 8 pin mini DIN extension cord to plug in the DIN connector to the Grom adapter. Now, I don't have any cables in my glove box.

I also put a bluetooth dongle and hid it under the console. I ran the mic next overhead panel where the compas and outside temperature guage is.

 

Clean! Do you have a link to get the USB charger? thanks

 

Looks very clean. What is the 8-pin for?

 

Here's the link. It's not a charger, it's just a cable that can be panel mounted. You can plug the other end into any USB device. I plugged mine into a Grom audio adapter.

http://www.gromaudio.com/store/accessories/usb_extension_cable_w_two_dash_mounting_options.html

 

There is an 8 pin connector on the Grom Audio adapter. It is used to connect a variety of adapter cables including an iPod cable, a 3.5mm phone jack cable, etc. Since the Grom adapter is tucked behind the dash, it was impossible to change cables. Now, I can plug in whichever adapter cable I need.

 

sweet thx

 

No problem. Glad I can help.

 

Got it

 

I've been having trouble playing music out of my aux port. Even with a device to hold the iPod sound only comes out of one speaker at a time. If I did a setup with the USB and Grom audio adapter can I play music out of that?

 

Couple things I would check right off the bat is the aux cord you are using between the port and the ipod. I would also check to see if the ipod plays in stereo with regular headphones. If it does not I would restore and re-synch the ipod. Lastly maybe one of the connections on the aux port is loose.

 

^^^ I agree. It's usually something simple like a bad cord. The Grom adapter is made for those of us who do not have an AUX port in our stereo.

 

It's not the iPod I tried it with headphones and two different iPods. Then I tried two aux cords and one is definetlely worse than the other but neither produces good quality sound or consistently plays out of both speakers.

 

how did you wire the 12v outlet?

 

There must be something wrong with the connection to your Aux port. The Grom Audio Adpter is made for those of us with older Tacomas that did not come with an Aux port on the stereo.

 

I simply spliced it to the existing 12V outlet under the climate control knobs. You can always wire it back to the fuse box to an unswitched circuit and have it on all the time.