Accessory plug panel removal - need help

I want to replace one of my 12v accessory outlets with a double usb outlet. I already use a plug-in converter but I would like to have a direct connection. The panel looks like it should come out without having to remove any other panels but I can't get the left side to release. I think I can see a fastener like Step 2 (below) so it should release with pressure, but it's not budging. Does anyone know the trick? I searched for solutions but could only find Gen 2 and 3 descriptions which appear to be different.

I have a 2003 V6 MT SR5.

Panel to be removed:



Step 1: There are two push pins on the sides of the panel. Push in on the center circle to release.



Step 2: Pull the right panel towards the interior of the cab. It's fastened with a clip that friction fits into a slot about mid-way down on the right side of the panel.


Step 3??? I can feel and see that the lower panel is attached to the panel above it that houses the cigarette lighter outlet. There's a plastic "plate" that extends from that upper panel that the fastener attaches to. I have tried pulling out the lower panel but the upper panel flexes with it. I will try to get a tool to leverage against the two panels where I think they're connected, but before I do, I want to make sure there's just a friction-fit fastener there, rather than a screw that can't be reached without taking other panels out.

 

There should be a screw behind where you pulled the ashtray out of the lower panel, look closer it should be black philips screw head as well. Then there is a 3rd pressure clip that connects the upper black panel with the lower gray panel.

 

I don't see a screw where I think you're describing. The panels don't overlap there. If it's on the interior of the black panel, there isn't enough room to access it.

 

I happen to be right there. On my 04 after taking out the two large side pins, you pull the sides out a bit then force the whole thing aftward. There are 2 compression pins that have to give way toward the top of the piece. Pins circled in yellow below.

 

Wow! Great timing for me. Thank you for the confirmation and the photo. I guess I need to just get a bit "nastier" with it.

 

I just did the same thing you're doing with the usb outlets last week, it's just those 2 side clips that hold it in, and then the 2 pins that tacoma_ca shows in his photo. You just have to kind of use your purse to pop it out, the cigarette lighter sockets have enough slack to come out a little ways so they won't get damaged if you yank on it a little. Also if your usb socket is the kind with the threaded shaft and the nut that secures it to the panel it helps to have a dremel to make a flat spot on the back of the panel and I also had to use a file to bore out the round hole slightly for the one I put in

 

Disregard, thought you were pulling the main center dash.

 

I'm waiting on delivery of the usb outlet I ordered before I go any further, but I'm wondering about the electrical connection. Do the spade terminals of the accessory outlet just plug into the blue connector seen in your photo? If so, did the usb outlet blade spacing align with the OEM connector? Or did you have to cut the wires and put new terminals on?

 

The factory sockets have a proprietary right-angle spade connector that is doubtful to fit anything aftermarket.

For aftermarket sockets you probably need to either cut off the factory spade connectors or make a converter that plugs into them then connects to your new sockets.

I have become pedantic about factory wiring these days and don't cut factory wiring unless absolutely necessary. I like this approach because any change is thus reversible. In this case I would plug some male spades into the female factory sockets and connect those to the new devices. I also use mastic tape instead of electrical tape for this stuff lately as it seems to stay more unperterbed in the long term.

The typical route would be to cut off the factory plugs and solder directly to the new devices or crimp on some new female spade terminals and plug onto the new devices.

The white wires with black stripe is the ground side of the circuit.

 

Looks like you already got your answer but I'll throw in anyways, the factory plugs don't fit so I cut them off and soldered my own wires on with female blade connectors going to my usb socket. The reason I did this was mainly to be less complicated, you could adapt the factory plug to your new socket but that 2 extra connections=2 extra failure points. I also broke the housing of the actual cig lighter plug taking it out so there's no putting it back in or use hanging onto the factory plug for me. Also, +1 for mastic tape or heatshrink, electrical tape always seems to come apart after a few months when I use it.

 

For what it is worth i never removed that trim piece with the console in the truck.

It was quite simple with the console removed.

Being I have a 2000 yours might be a little different.

I would just make two jumpers to hook up your usb outlet.

I also like the idea of returning to stock just by unplugging things.

Because I switched vehicles so often it was easier just to use a socket adapter for me.

Good luck!

 

Am I understanding you correctly that I would need a spade that has Toyota-specific male spades on one side and "standard" either female or male spades on the other side? And if the spades of the union are male on the standard side, then I'd need a male-to-male connector to the new outlet? By chance do you have a link to the part you are suggesting?

 

Thanks for that tip. I hadn't heard of this stuff.

 

For car interiors the Scotch 130C mastic tape (splicing tape) is perfect as it is relatively thin and of course self-fusing and somewhat gooey for making waterproof and essentially permanent insulation. It is stretchy so you can get really good seals for yard lighting and outdoor ethernet connections etc.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Scotch-...ss-Rubber-Splicing-Tape-41717-BX-10/205523418

Scotch also makes the 2228 mastic tape which is around 1mm thick so it is perfect for more ablative environments and is useful for example to make chain protectors on the seat stay of mountain bike frames.

It's not cheap, but is one of my favorite types of tape.

 

I think it will be pretty much impossible to avoid crimping or soldering if you are changing out the sockets. Simplest is to just cut the plugs, strip the wire, then solder onto your new plugs.

Since you have to do at least this much wiring anyway, I would solder 3" of wire leads onto the new plugs you ordered (if they don't have wire already) then on the end of those leads I would solder male spade connectors. I'd then insert those connectors into the factory L-shaped sockets then wrap up with mastic tape.

I'm in the middle of a similar wiring project today so when I'm at Home
Depot I'll look for the male spade connectors that would work.

 

[QUOTE="tacoma_ca, post: 29072744, member: 310111"I'd then insert those connectors into the factory L-shaped sockets[/QUOTE]

I assumed, before considering this project, that I would need to do some crimping or soldering, if the new outlet couldn't just be plugged in. No worries there. I just thought from what has been said in this thread that I need special spades to fit into the OEM connector. Would standard, appropriately-sized straight spades work instead?

 

A standard 1/4" male spade fits in the negative female. The positive female is a little smaller, looks like it takes a standard 3/16" male.

Shown below is the 1/4" male spade in the negative female.

 

Yes. Standard garden-variety male spade connectors with the through-hole in the center.

For the standard 1/4" male I tried, the center through-hole latches correctly with the Toyota female and seems to be the correct thickness.

 

Thank you for all the help. I really appreciate it!

 

I just realized when saying "proprietary, L-shaped" I should have clarified that is the plastic housing that holds the connectors, not the connectors themselves. Nothing matches that plastic L housing, but the spades themselves seem pretty standard.