Anyone here added a USB port to the bottom of the dash, under the stereo/cubby?

Just curious, there are a few blanks down there and curious if/how anyone has done it.

 

Plenty of poeple.

I'll try try to find it but someone was making a 3D printed port to fill said space.

 

Here - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-usb-adapter-switch-blanks.642479/

 

Awesome thank you!

 

FWIW I just replaced one of the "cigarette lighter" ports with this dual USB charger. With the cover on it matched my interior so well it looks OEM. I had to make the hole slightly larger with a file but that was real easy to do and it works great.


https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...witch-panels-42-amps-5v-usb-type-a/4407/9831/

 

Like @GalinHdz, I replaced the 12v cig lighter with one...

Part numbers and write up:

A break-in, and USB Power

​

 

That's what I did, I got the one with voltage display. 2 birds with one bush, as it were. East peasy and dirt cheap.

 

Wouldn't it be less hassle and less intrusive, to use an USB flush mount cig lighter adapter? That way, if you do need the 12v port, it is still available.

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-AUKEY-Aapter-iPhone-Samsung/dp/B00M6QODH2

 

I put one of the Blue Sea Systems dual-USB outlets in place of one of the 12V powerpoints in the lower dash/front of console panel. Enlarged the hole to fit the USB and tapped into the wires for the remaining powerpoint. Works fine.

 

How’s that joying unit now that you’ve used it awhile?

 

It's only OK. Works fine for radio, and Bluetooth to one phone is fine, but if you have two phones, it's not great. Running apps on it is finicky as well - the reality is that it's just underpowered for what it is. Lastly, I thought I'd use it primarily for Nav and OBDII, but being so low in the dash, it's not in the right place for that stuff.

So, if I were to do it again, I'd just get a more traditional unit with AndroidAuto or Carplay from someone like Pioneer (or some other common brand).

 

1 - I have not had a problem charging two full size iPads with the unit I indicated even when the batteries were at 0. Other similar looking units only provide 1A per port while this one provides 2.1A per port. There are other similar units available that can provide 2.4A per port but they are more expensive.

2 - I didn't go with a plug in unit since they can work their way out over time and I didn't like how it looked. Besides, with three "cigarette lighters" in my Taco, I still have two regular ports for anything else. YMMV

 

Agreed. No reason to replace a cigarrette lighter when there's a new USB charging spec every few years. Quickcharge keeps being amended. 2.1-2.4A has been obsolete for like 5 years now.
I'd rather embed a Qi adapter into something. At least it stays slow lol, but its invariably convenient.

 

I just use a USB adapter in the cigarette lighter. Seems the simplest as things might change in the near future. I almost replaced a bunch electrical outlets in my house with new ones with USB slots embedded... then decided not to. Things are changing really quickly now with tech and they will probably be obsolete within 5-7 years. My tacoma still has a tape deck....

 

I am looking for a pass through usb port that I can connect to my Kenwood radio. Any suggestions?

 

$10 ICESPRING 2 Ports USB 3.0 Extension Cable, Flush Mount Car Truck Boat Motorcycle Dashboard Panel Adapter-3 Feet

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY1WDIU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the one I used I had to make the hole in the bezel slightly bigger but it fits and works nice. I can take a picture in the morning if you want to see it installed.

 

I seen that, but I was looking for one to replace the blank-out plate just below the radio. But I could mount that elsewhere.

 

uhhh, because you have 3? And most of the time you're jamming an adapter in one or more of them to charge something via USB. The adapters are not as good as the hard wired ports.

 

I bought a USB plug with voltage display, it's nice to see how your battery is doing! You can see if your battery and alternator are good or bad while driving, or whether or not your truck will start up if its been sitting.

Needed a tiny file to fit in the old cigarette socket hole, and required two wires to be crimped onto connectors. Not a big job by any means, and it's been super useful. If you use it once a week, it's worth it over a plug-in adapter, especially if you have THREE (3) cigarette adapters already.

 

just installed this one today, 2 wires with a quick disconnect on it.

$20 Cllena Dual USB Port Charger Socket Quick Charge 3.0 & 2.4A for Toyota

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FCZC933/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had to insert a rectangular plastic piece i cut out of an old dvd cover with my dremel to make it secure, as its not a tight fit.