Routing USB Cables under Center Console

[dunkwmiller]

A friend told me they saw this posted somewhere but I have had no luck finding it...

I want to route my USB cables from the USB ports in the center colsole storage compartment to the storage area in the front center [open] storage area. Has anyone done this? Is there an easy way to route them under the center console?

Edited February 21, 2013 by dunkwmiller

[acdii]

That is one of the things I liked about the Toyota Camry and Avalon, they put the USB port at the front of the console, inside a cubby hole with a cover so you can plug in your USB drive, or phone or ipod, and hide it if you want to. The Avalon lid is also a wireless charging system, it can charge your phone by placing the phone on it. The only thing is they only have one jack, not the two like the Fusion.

I thnk to get a USB to the front you would have to make an opening in the compartment to fish the cable through, then another one to fish it out of, and you would need to find one long enough.

[dunkwmiller]

Okay, I practiced my usual impatience and just decided to figure it out...

For anyone that wants their USB charging cables up front (center, open console area) instead of inside the rear center console box here's what to do:

1. [Carefully] Remove the molding pieces on each side of the center console (they both run the length of the console)

2. [Carefully] Remove plastic molding piece that surrounds the climate controls/radio/touch screen

3. [Carefully] Remove the large plastic piece with the cup-holders, then disconnect the one cord that is attached to it

4. [Carefully] Remove the 2 plastic pieces that go around the shifter

5. [Carefully] Drill holes above USB plugs (drill from front of car to rear) that will accomodate the USB cable(s) you want to run forward

6. Run USB cables through drilled holes from console box into open area, plug USB cables in

7. Route one cable to each side under piece of trim that is still there and out small gap on back of each "pillar" that runs down from the radio. The gap accommodated easily each of my USB cables (iPhone 5 and BlackBerry) and you can see them in this picture (taken from under the steering wheel looking rearward.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6j9agWsoBBOY253N2c0aWsyOVE/edit?usp=sharing

8. Put it all back together in reverse order [Carefully].

 

I hope this helps anyone who may want their cables plugged in and up front.

[acdii]

Sounds good. Why they cant put them upfront like others do is beyond me. They are a pain to get to when your driving and need to plug the phone it to charge it. I noticed that just about all the new Fords use both USB connections now. They always had 2 of them, but only installed one jack, so they must be looking at various forums and found that the owners were hacking the cars for that second USB jack and figured, might as well use them since thats what we want.

[wailer]

If you are just looking for power through a USB port, you can get a small cigarette lighter plug that has 2 USB ports in it. That's what I use to power my phone from the forward cigarette lighter port. I still have an extra USB port on the plug for something else. Cost? Less than $10. Best part? NO wiring! Plug-n-play. Available at Batteries Plus, Radio Shack, and most other electronic stores.
~Wailer

Edited April 6, 2013 by wailer

[dearlaserworks]

Okay, I practiced my usual impatience and just decided to figure it out...

For anyone that wants their USB charging cables up front (center, open console area) instead of inside the rear center console box here's what to do:

1. [Carefully] Remove the molding pieces on each side of the center console (they both run the length of the console)

2. [Carefully] Remove plastic molding piece that surrounds the climate controls/radio/touch screen

3. [Carefully] Remove the large plastic piece with the cup-holders, then disconnect the one cord that is attached to it

4. [Carefully] Remove the 2 plastic pieces that go around the shifter

5. [Carefully] Drill holes above USB plugs (drill from front of car to rear) that will accomodate the USB cable(s) you want to run forward

6. Run USB cables through drilled holes from console box into open area, plug USB cables in

7. Route one cable to each side under piece of trim that is still there and out small gap on back of each "pillar" that runs down from the radio. The gap accommodated easily each of my USB cables (iPhone 5 and BlackBerry) and you can see them in this picture (taken from under the steering wheel looking rearward.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6j9agWsoBBOY253N2c0aWsyOVE/edit?usp=sharing

8. Put it all back together in reverse order [Carefully].

 

I hope this helps anyone who may want their cables plugged in and up front.

 

 

I'm having trouble removing the trim around the shift knob and the cupholders. I don't want to break anything by pulling too hard. Any good videos or other guides on how these are attached and how best to remove them without damage. I managed to get the side strips off. I popped the front edge of the black strip around the shifter, but the back is so thin and isn't popping out easily.

[dearlaserworks]

Ok, I got bold and popped off the trim. It always feels like something is going to break and I'm never sure if I'm pulling in the right direction or on the right part. Big relief here. While I have the center console apart, I'll install a USB extender with flush socket beneath the radio as well as dual switches for aftermarket carbon fiber seat heaters. I've installed the heaters in the passenger seat. Where I'll get 10A x 2 is still TBD.

 

USB cable like these: http://search.ebay.com/car+dashboard+flush+mount+usb (one w USB only, no audio)

Edited December 21, 2013 by dearlaserworks