3rd Gen - AC Outlet in Cab and 400w Anytime

CAG Gonzo · Apr 15, 2019

Pyrotech said: ↑

Depending on price, count me in
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Ditto.

JeffB · Apr 15, 2019

I'd buy one!

dilbert · Apr 15, 2019

caribe makaira said: ↑

Waiting for @KTJO 4x4 to provide these for ya...

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@caribe makaira started an interest thread here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...20vac-tap-interest-list.604652/#post-20375561

Tell your friends!

Black1Tacoma · May 7, 2019

djembefola[OP] initial post: ↑

The point here is to use the factory inverter to run an AC outlet inside the cab, where one might actually use it. In the process, you can make it so the inverter stays on 400w when you shift from Park instead of kicking down to 100w as designed.

I searched around and only found the full write-up for this on 2nd Gens. For 3rd Gens, the info was a little spread out between different threads. So for anyone trying to do this on your 3rd Gen, I hope this helps.

My apologies if I'm stepping on any toes here. But I am really hyped about this mod and want to share in case it helps anyone else. Thanks to @mr_ash and this thread, and @kashtyaatsi and this thread for being the source of most of the info I needed when I was bouncing between 4 different threads as I did the mod.

From what I've seen, most folks who do the AC outlet mod use this guy:

But I picked this one up from Lowes for the extra USB outlets:

1. Start by pushing down the chrome ring on the shifter, then twist the shifter knob to unscrew and remove. Obviously standard models will be different when it comes to removing the center console. This thread explains removal on a manual.

2. Gently lift the console up starting at the front near the cup holders being careful not to break any clips as you pop them up. When you get to this part, you'll need to disconnect this plug on the passenger side:

3. As you pull up the front part of the console, you'll need to gently slide the "leather" up and over the e-brake handle. It requires some force and patience:

4. To remove the back part of the console, remove the two 10mm bolts under the rug inside the compartment:

5. Next you'll need to disconnect the 12v outlet for the compartment, and remove this little clip that holds the wires:

6. As you lift up the back part of the console, you'll see that it sort-of "hinges" here. When you get it up a little, it will come right up and out:

7. To cut the hole for the outlet, I measured carefully, used a drill for the corners, then carefully and patiently cut the shape out with a Dremel. To get this to look good, you have to take your time and use fine sand paper to smooth the edges. This is why a lot of folks use the other style outlet I mentioned - it covers the edges. But because the outlet will end up down by the passenger's feet, I wasn't too concerned about the appearance. I lucked out and it turned out looking decent:

8. For the 400w Anytime Mod, first locate these wires right below the e-brake:

9. Cut the PURPLE wire, and cap off both ends:

10. Cut the PINK wire. Cap off the end that runs toward the front of the vehicle. Ground the end that runs toward the inverter:

11. Here is where I grounded the PINK wire. I also grounded the AC outlet here:

12. Locate these wires coming from the inverter. Run the BLUE wire to the Neutral, and the WHITE to the Hot on the AC outlet. I cut the wires and used butt connectors to splice the wires to the outlet.

Put everything back together. If you did everything right, you'll see that the inverter stays in 400w mode when you shift out of Park:

Hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
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Thanks for the great write up! Do you know if there is a way to remove the truck bed outlet from the main battery to an auxiliary battery while making it 400w anytime?

At that point can I tap into in the bed of the truck and add a 12v and USB?
Thanks for any insight?

BigBeej · May 7, 2019

Another buyer here!

djembefola · May 7, 2019

Black1Tacoma said: ↑

Thanks for the great write up! Do you know if there is a way to remove the truck bed outlet from the main battery to an auxiliary battery while making it 400w anytime?

At that point can I tap into in the bed of the truck and add a 12v and USB?
Thanks for any insight?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked it.

The inverter that runs the factory bed outlet is powered by the main car battery via the factory wiring up under the dash. The wires are tiny and honestly I'm surprised they are able to run even 400w. So what you're talking about would be very difficult and complicated, and I would even be wary about powering the factory inverter with an auxiliary battery. What I would do is buy a better inverter (you could even go higher than 400w if you wanted), and run that off an auxiliary battery to the bed outlet. Then you can also separately run 12v, usb, etc.

Hope that helps.

caribe makaira · May 8, 2019

400W @ 120v AC = 3.333 amps.
The wire from the battery to the inverter is 10ish awg

The inverter fuse is bolted to the box, you'd have to separate the fuse box and unbolt the fuse, then get a fuse holder and run a wire to the fuse box location from the aux battery source.

It would be somewhat easy, but as stated before, you're better off getting a more powerful inverter...

Black1Tacoma · May 7, 2019

djembefola[OP] said: ↑

Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked it.

The inverter that runs the factory bed outlet is powered by the main car battery via the factory wiring up under the dash. The wires are tiny and honestly I'm surprised they are able to run even 400w. So what you're talking about would be very difficult and complicated, and I would even be wary about powering the factory inverter with an auxiliary battery. What I would do is buy a better inverter (you could even go higher than 400w if you wanted), and run that off an auxiliary battery to the bed outlet. Then you can also separately run 12v, usb, etc.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Great idea! Thanks

garner2002 · May 7, 2019

Me too.

Black1Tacoma · May 7, 2019

caribe makaira said: ↑

400W @ 120v AC = 3.333 amps.
The wire from the battery to the inverter is 10ish awg

The inverter fuse is bolted to the box, you'd have to separate and unbolt the fuse, then get a fuse holder and run a wire to the fuse box location from the aux battery source.

It would be somewhat easy, but as stated before, you're better off getting a more powerful inverter...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! Just out of curiosity where is the inverter currently installed on the truck?

caribe makaira · May 8, 2019

Black1Tacoma said: ↑

Thanks for the info! Just out of curiosity where is the inverter currently installed on the truck?
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Underneath the center console...if you shine a light on the vents from the back seats you could see some of it.

keithd · May 28, 2019

I’m in for one too if not too late.

ratcityrain · May 29, 2019

Does this always stay on at 400 whenever truck is on, or can you press the switch and turn it off when rear outlet not in use?

caribe makaira · May 29, 2019

ratcityrain said: ↑

Does this always stay on at 400 whenever truck is on, or can you press the switch and turn it off when rear outlet not in use?
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Switched OFF=OFF... When switched ON, 400 Watts always. Without this mod you get (OEM) 400 Watts initially, then once transmission shifted to drive you get 100 Watts.

Bill Bixby · May 31, 2019

Forgive me for my ignorance.... But wouldn't a 400 watt anytime mod be "anytime"? As in we shouldn't have to turn the truck on to run the inverter? Is that even possible? Or would it just drain the battery too quick?

caribe makaira · May 31, 2019

Bill Bixby said: ↑

Forgive me for my ignorance.... But wouldn't a 400 watt anytime mod be "anytime"? As in we shouldn't have to turn the truck on to run the inverter? Is that even possible? Or would it just drain the battery too quick?
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Add- anytime the engine is ON and the switch to the inverter is in the ON position...

Pyrotech · Jun 1, 2019

Bill Bixby said: ↑

Forgive me for my ignorance.... But wouldn't a 400 watt anytime mod be "anytime"? As in we shouldn't have to turn the truck on to run the inverter? Is that even possible? Or would it just drain the battery too quick?
Click to expand...

That is a not a good idea, due to parasitic loss. It takes electricity to run the inverter even with nothing plugged in.

AllGen · Jun 4, 2019

Grossomotto said: ↑

Yeah you’ll have to get the ring screwed down on the inside
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What size hole saw did you use?

Grossomotto · Jun 4, 2019

3 1/8” but it has to be specific to the round outlet that you buy

AllGen said: ↑

What size hole saw did you use?
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deebs17 · Jun 4, 2019

AllGen said: ↑

What size hole saw did you use?
Click to expand...

I used a 3” like the instructions said and it was slightly too small and I had to use my Dremel to get it to fit. Also I put it about 1/8-1/4” too high and there was a plastic ridge on the back just under the cup holder that I ended up trimming. I used this grommet:

Power Grommet with USB,Desktop...

PD 45W USB C Desktop Power Grommet 3",Flush Mount Power Strip,Recessed Table Outlet,2 Outlets 3 USB Ports,Desk Hole Power Grommet,Flat Plug Power Strip 6Ft Extension Cord (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F16LH8X?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This thread was great for info. Thanks to everyone who posted and made this possible for a noob!

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