HOW TO: Tundra USB/Stereo input on Tacoma aftermarket head unit

Well...this didn't go exactly as planned. I got the USB/AUX plug modified and thought I did a good job on the USB cable, but It is not working. I haven't bent the pins up on the USB yet. What did y'all use to bend them?

Does anyone have any tips or pointers for making the modified USB cable work? Is there a specific method that you used to remove the metal surround? Is there any other alternative other than removing the metal surround on the USB cable (such as a different type of cable)?

Thanks!

 

Here is my own take on this mod. I went a little further with the USB part and completely gutted the original USB pass-through. I did this so that shielding is not compromised. It also ensures a good connection. No worries about bending pins here! Also, I suggest looking for this part on ebay under names such as "Venza USB AUX" for example. All of these are the same part in the newer Toyotas and will fit in all Toyota vehicles. Anyone paying $65 for this part is getting burned. I picked this one up for $20.

It all starts with disassembling the part and removing the USB pass-through.


Next, obtain a short USB cable with at least one female end. I used one with male and female ends. You need at least one female end so that you can remove the plastic covering and put that end at the front of the part.


Use a Dremel or similar cutting tool to cut out the part for fitment of the USB cable.


Drop in the USB cable and secure the front end with electrical tape. This will hold it in place while JB Weld cures.


Use quick setting JB Weld to lock the USB cable in place. Apply it all the way up to the electrical tape, and leave the electrical tape in place permanently. The USB cable won't be going anywhere after this.


Put it all back together.


This is your new interface, completely shielded for the entire run of the cable and much more structurally sound than the previous methods.


Finish off by hooking up the servo-to-3.mm wire discussed earlier in this thread. I recommend using short 3ft long USB and 3.mm wires to run from the back of this part to behind the radio, then hook the radio up to those. Some radios come with the USB and/or 3.5mm wires already connected. You don't want to drop those wires down and connect to this part directly because unhooking the radio will be a pain in the future.


Ready for installation in my 07 DC.

 

Wow is this still going on? You can just buy the part now. Check out item 281220545629 on eBay. And what's best is that the aux jack is a 4 conductor so it supports video for iPod connections. I did the mod a while back successfully, but I plan to switch to this to enable that feature.

 

You can also buy a plug and play USB/ AUX made for that Toyota knockout for about $25 from eBay which happens to be a quality part.

 

I prefer factory fit and finish. None of the third party products fit or look exactly the same as an OEM product.

 

This one does. And it looks a hell of a lot better than some USB that you have to fab into its spot. An aftermarket accessory made specifically for a switch knockout probably wouldn't be the worst fitting thing in your vehicle, either. I doubt your aftermarket radio dash kit fits as well as the factory one.

 

I'm sure we are talking about the same part. I like it.

 

I've yet to see one that is the same exact shade of black as the surrounding covers and fits 100% perfectly. The aftermarket parts are often darker and/or shiny. Many of them don't sit in the hole like they should, appearing to stick out further than the factory part. To each their own and I am truly glad you are happy with what you have. For those who want the factory look, I simply offered my step-by-step process. Some will care enough to do the work, some won't. There are choices for everyone.

 

Agreed, and as one who has done your process, it was simple and effective. It does not however offer a 4 conductor aux cable solution. That's the only reason I'm thinking of switching. My Pioneer requires that in order to interface with the app mode on an iPad/iPhone.

They are for left/right audio, video and common ground. The three conductor route only passes audio.

 

It sounds like a good option for those who need four conductors.

 

So would this NOT work? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120TOYUSB2/Metra-AX-TOYUSB-2-USB-Port-Cable.html
It looks small enough to fit into the hole behind the usb/aux port... But theres only a male usb on the end...

 

That would absolutely work. And most, possibly all, stereos take a male input, so that shouldn't be a problem. But if you have a USB extension and a Dremel laying around its not too difficult to fab your own like the OP. You'll still need the aux cable though if you plan on using that.

 

Just because I enjoy projects like this, and for no other reason than I can, my next update to this piece will be 4-pole compatibility I know the aftermarket part mentioned earlier would have addressed this, but I enjoy small projects like this and am a sucker for the factory look and finish when I can get it.

$9 Valley Enterprises 6" TRRS 4-Pole 3.5mm Male Right Angle to 3.5mm Female Audio Cable

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C4FU52C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I'm fairly certain you will not be able to adapt an OEM port to accept a 4 pole input. I can't fathom how you would work it without the assistance of Harry Potter.

 

The plan is to do it the same way that I did the USB port: totally gut the original portion and replace it with the 6" extension obtained from Amazon. Lock it down with JB Weld and it's good to go.

 

Hence "fairly" certain...LOL

Well I ordered the aftermarket part. I'll post a pic when I get it installed, and you can judge the OEM-ness look of it.

Also ordered sharkfin adapter with SiriusXM kit and a Scosche dash kit to replace the Metra.

 

Pics or it didn't happen

I will end up doing an MHL adapter mod(HDMI for Smart Phones & Android). Show all you jokers up! :deul:\

I have a couple of the factory usb ports already.

 

Does that mean I need to make an incision into the cord I showed you (the part that goes into the aux/usb port) or do you think there will be room underneath it to plug the aux cord in?

 

anyone ever figure out how to make this work on a 2009?

 

This is a great write-up. But I keep thinking there has to be a better way to make it factory look and finish.

I'm installing a Pioneer 8000NEX that has two USB inputs. I want a factory look using factory USB ports in the factory knock-out ports in the dash.

The first USB will be easy to connect using the factory USB port. I ordered two cables from Crutchfield. One of these cables will plug into the end that was plugged into the factory stereo. In other words, I'll remove the factory stereo, unplug the USB harness from the back of the factory stereo, plug this adapter into the USB harness, and finally plug into the Pioneer. I ordered both cables because I'm not sure which one is the correct adapter.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120TOYUSB/Metra-AX-TOYUSB-USB-Port-Cable.html
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120TOYUSB2/Metra-AX-TOYUSB-2-USB-Port-Cable.html

Adding the second factory looking USB port is proving more difficult. I've read through this write-up but I don't really like all the modifications required. Worries me about loose connections over time. I've seen this unit on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLUSH-MOUNT-AUX-USB-3-5MM-HEADPHONE-JACK-MOUNTING-PANEL-DASHBOAR-DOCK-INPUT-LEAD-/281313872095?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417f9d08df but it doesn't look like it will be a factory fit in a factory knock-out port. Has anyone tried this and can say it fits and looks factory?

Here's what I'm trying to do. So far I have ordered the factory port: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-OEM-Toyota-AUX-USB-Adapter-86190-0C020-Avalaon-tacoma-tundra-Sienna-ETC-/161634584904?hash=item25a22c0948&vxp=mtr

Next I'm trying to find the factory cable that plugs into the back of this factory USB port. This has been a very elusive search. Once I find this cable, I can plug it into my new factory port and then use the same cable I mention above from Crutchfield. Has anyone found this cable that plugs into the back of the factory port?

Near as I can tell in all my internet searching, the cable I need is 86203H as shown in this link: http://www.villagetoyotaparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=1102054&ukey_product=8454192. The problem is there is no picture so I can't tell for sure. I may just order it to see.

For my arrangement, I'm only interested in getting the USB ports working. I have no need for the aux. port so I'm not doing anything to keep the aux. port working.