Does the Center Console USB ports also act as inputs to the Stereo?

Picking up my new 2020 TRD Sport in Friday. My main source of music is my 258 gig Iphone 8 that's sole job is an ipod. I am hoping to hide the iphone and usb cable in the center console bin with the lid closed. 15,000 songs set to shuffle, i'll check on it every 6 months!

I know there is a port below the Head unit on the dash but i don't want to have my iphone and cable just bouncing around on the charger pad (not getting the premium , so pad!)

That would look crappy and a temptation for getting my window smashed! So hopefully those 2 usb ports can read data to input into the head unit as well as charge the ipod.

 

No, that's just a charging/power point inside the center console/storage bin with the lid your arm rests on.
I think the one below the climate control center accesses the head unit or you can use the bluetooth.

 

it wouldn’t be hard at all to (with climate controls temporarily removed)

1. remove factory usb small switch
2. Unplug and relocate to behind climate controls
3. Plug in a 2M usb to lightening cable (1M might be long enough depending on how much slack you want
4. Add a factory blank to the open switch
5. Route lightening cable into center console (remove and drill a small hole in the bottom or remove the usb charger and route through that hole with a gasket or no gasket.

or, remove the center console charging usb plug and replace with

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

this.

 

There is already a usb port in the console, ports may need to be switched, but it's the same hole mounting in both locations. You would just need to switch the wires to each, extend ones from the dash to console and shorten the one in the console to the dash. Not sure if the console one could be unhooked and just taken back to the dash. Or just cut and splice existing wires.

 

So you are suggesting cut and splice a 4 pin harness in the dash with near zero slack and a 2 pin harness in the console to re-route the two? Is the 2020 console the same small switch size? I assume it’s still a round opening with usb charger replacing the round cig lighter I have in my 2016.

I assume that OP would rather not cut and splice wires in a brand new truck. I may well be wrong on that assumption though.

My point was mostly that a cheap blank can cover the switch and it can just live behind the blank and route to a device in the center console without any visible wiring, just minor trim pulling and maybe one tiny hole in the plastic bottom of the center console. I would do that long before I’d splice my factory wires and make permanent changes.

 

Well I was afraid that the center console was charging only. I’m taking it in to get a proper set of speakers and amp installed so I’ll probably get them to do something with the dash port. Depending on the room and accessibility behind the dash, just store the iPod there. There is talk of stuffing the amp up there so another spot where I could slide the iPod. It would make the dash port just for show. Or maybe put a splitter in behind
I really do not need to access the iPod very often. Maybe once a month.

 

I wasn't suggesting anything. Personally, I wouldn't mess with the electrical in this truck. The ecus take voltage readings back and forth and if something is out of whack, the truck throws a hissy fit.
Look what it took to figure out the tail light fiasco and using diodes of different sizes for different people. Not to mention the add a fuses and taps into the dome light or map lights for power and accessories. To many issues with splicing.
If need be, move both correctly by replacing the wires/or move one and replace the other. Either way, too much hassle unless you plan on taking it apart already for 2 or 3 other mods at the same time.

 

Interesting. I don’t see it as much hassle. I see it as 30 minutes tops plus $30 max in parts and a fun thing to feel good about. No wiring changes needed, just a hidden lightening cable or maybe a dual usb extension cable fed from both factory plugs and a zip tie or two. A perfect first mod to clean up an otherwise highly visible cable and discourage theft.

I suspect extending the factory 4 connector usb harness would be rather tricky without sourcing the female and male connectors and access to a crimper. That would be the “best” way to go but unless the center console USB port is the same size you still have nowhere to mount the dash USB port.

 

I am not an electrical expert by any means and don't feel safe messing with it really. Easy typically means I can mess it up and make it super difficult.

 

I really don’t think you want a phone inside your dash. And i really don’t think you need to cut any wires. Pop the switch out and stash it in the dash, plug in your cable and run it behind the trim. Simple and effective. Pick up a blank to hide the hole. Super straightforward and easy to revert later on.

 

Ah. I see where you are going now.

 

I don't see why you cant just use bluetooth and just put the phone in the center console or wherever you please

 

Bluetooth has noticeably lower sound quality compared to wired in my truck.

I have a cable routed from the USB port under climate control and into the center console for my old iPhone that I use as an iPod, as well. I left the USB port at the factory location so that other devices can be plugged into the stereo.

 

Ok, I am mid-way through this project. So I'll answer what I know about it.
1) The center console has two USB connections there and they are both just power only (Charge) so you can't connect via CarPlay on them.
2) They will only charge iPhone/Android phones - not an iPad Pro (not capable of 60 watt charging).
3) You have to extend the USB bus to the center console.
4) There are several 3rd party solution options - no OEM solutions available.
5) Wireless CarPlay is an option - however it is pricey (https://carplay2air.com/products/cp...y-android-auto-module-and-mirror-link-feature)

My current project is to add Wireless CarPlay and a Qi charger to the center console - with a four port USB hub in the center console as well.

Here are the products I will be using for this project:
Anker 4 Port USB Hub:

$15 Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub, Ultra-Slim Data USB Hub with 2 ft Extended Cable [Charging Not Supported], for MacBook, Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Surface Pro, XPS, PC, Flash Drive, Mobile HDD

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-4-Port-Macbook-Surface-Notebook/dp/B00XMD7KPU
CPLAY2air wireless adapter for factory CarPlay: https://carplay2air.com/products/cp...y-android-auto-module-and-mirror-link-feature
Scosche UQ01 - MagicMount Qi wireless charging kit: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-3pWYCYbLFsm/p_142UQ01/Scosche-UQ01.html
Yihao for Toyota Adapter:

Yihao for Axxess Ax-Toyusb (Axtoyusb) for Select Toyota & Lexus OEM USB Retention Adapte

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XKUVJQG/
C2G 29525 2-Port USB Hub:

C2G USB Hub, 2 Port USB Hub, Black, Cables to Go 29525

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QB1QVO
MICTUNING Dual USB 6.4A QC3.0 Quick Charger with LED Light Replacement for Toyota:

MICTUNING Dual USB 6.4A QC3.0 Quick Charger with LED Light Replacement for Toyota (Surface Size 1.3 x 0.9"es)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WBZ7BD8
USB Socket Port with Audio Socket for Toyota: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZ7NFHW/
CarQiWireless Center Console Organizer Insert for Toyota Tacoma:

CarQiWireless 2022 Upgrades Center Console Organizer Tray and 2 Sets of Silicone Mats for Tacoma 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022, Storage Box Insert for Toyota Tacoma Accessories

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895HY6YB


I'll mount the Qi Wireless charger in the large tray for the iPhone - and then mount the CPLAY2air Wireless Adapter underneath - which will be plugged into the Anker 4 port hub. Leaving three ports open for general use. The original 2 USB ports in the center console will be converted to a 6.4a QC 2.0 Quick Charge with LED for iPad Pro's. Then I will upgrade the dash USB from 1 to two ports, one for charging and one for CarPlay (if needed by passenger).

I will update here once I have finished with the project so I can show what it will look like - and what problems I ran into (if any).

 

100 Percent agree on the sound quality drop with Bluetooth. Never an option in my book.

 

This sounds worthy of its own thread assuming you are successful or mostly successful? Others may be interested in some of it.

If I’m following properly you plan to split usb using a 2 port hub in the dash with one branch to center console where a 4 port hub will effectively split it again?

I suspect you may need to inject power for one or both of those? I guess that may depend on how much power the head unit provides via USB?

I think one challenge is that with OEM you don’t have a usb jack until the switch in the dash. The plug into the etune 3 head unit will be OEM as will the factory wires. Adaptors exist to convert that plug to usb a male for aftermarket head units but that’s on the wrong end. You’d want some sort of T harness to feed downstream usb to center console (ideally)? Or pop the switch and use as just a port to feed that 2 port hub and then you’d want a usb small switch to replace it in the dash which looks factory but is fed from usb-a male plug. Which I don’t think I see in your parts list? Just powered switches for charging? I may have missed it though and you may already know all this and have a working plan, it just isn’t obvious to me yet.

EDIT: I see it now, this is the purpose of the Yihao adaptor.

Another thing to consider is not placing all of this charging on a single poutlet1 or 2 circuit. Ideally each power draw has its own dedicated fuse so you can isolate trouble. I’m mid flight on tapping my trailer brake controller to feed a blue sea fuse block under the center cup holders for my 3 usb charging outputs (one behind center console, one in center console, one in dash). I wanted something separate from the factory poutlet circuits so I would have independent fuses and for future needs (seat heaters). It will be less convenient if I blow a fuse but that’s not an expected normal occurrence. I just got the fuse block mounted last night, didn’t take a photo yet.

All the charging stuff is rather straightforward but data is where it gets a little tricky. I’m not sure how well the etune head unit will respond if it detects more than one usb music device on the bus and that could be the real downside even if you get everything working properly hardware-wise. I’m definitely curious to hear how it works out and how you solve any trouble you encounter.

 

Oh yeah, I see the Motong usb audio / charging switch. Double check switch height? I think OEM large is 39mm tall and small is 36mm tall? Dash center is all small sizes, 36mm I believe. AT trucks have one large switch blank in drivers side cubby, on MT this is where clutch start cancel goes. Seems Toyota has yet to fabricate a small clutch start cancel (if they do and it’s backwards compatible I will definitely try to get my mits on it so I can have all small size switches.)

For OP’s clarity, could someone with a 2020 post photos of the usb charging input to the center console from the parking brake side? So we know how the connector looks and the shape of the hole? Should be easy to pop up the cup holder trim piece and hold it out of the way for a photo.

 

Have you considered just using a 256GB USB Cruizer Ultra Fit flash drive in the USB port, and let the headunit control it, including shuffle?

$22 SanDisk 256GB Ultra Fit USB 3.2 Flash Drive - SDCZ430-256G-G46, Black

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-256GB-Ultra-Flash-Drive/dp/B07857Y17V

 

I read that there is a 2000 song limitation for flash drives plugged into the USB port. That won't help me. plus I like the fact that when i get something off itunes via my ipad or what ever, Icloud will download it to my Iphone 8 "ipod" in my truck as long as its in range of my wifi at the house. Come out in the morning, get into the truck and my newly purchased album from last night is all loaded up on the iphone 8

 

you could easily put it behind the dash and just pop it open when you need to access it, plenty of room back there for just
an iphone.