HowTo: Add flush-mount USB aux port in center console

My head unit (

$290 Alpine iLX-W650 7" Double DIN Touchscreen Digital Multimedia Receiver with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Alpine iLX-W650) has USB input on the for attaching external devices and for delivering software updates, hopefully also to allow loading the files to change the splash screen later. I wanted to install a concealed port, and whatever I installed should look as OEM as possible while being as-functional and sturdy. I really liked the way Toyota hid away the USB port in my '13 Camry.

Note: If you have the other type of center console with pre-existing blanks, check out this post, scroll up from that point in the thread to see pics of snap-in USB switches installed with voltage readout - pretty cool.

Total cost the install in this thread: $10. Time to complete: 90 minutes.

My truck came with the center console that has a stash cubby in the front, and I thought that would be the perfect place to have a hidden USB port for the stereo - this way I can attach USB devices like the iPod in the stash cubby, hidden, for "offline" listening when we're out hiking in areas with no signal.

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I started by hitting AMZN's website and buying a 3ft cable from Bastige, it looks like this and you can find it by searching the site for:

$8 B078LRSZDB BATIGE Square Single Port USB 3.0 Panel Flush Mount Extension Cable with Buckle for Car Truck Boat Motorcycle Dashboard 3ft

B078LRSZDB

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After the cable arrived, I took a digital caliper to the inner part of the body to get a rough estimate on how wide to cut open the console. It calipered out at ~19mm x 13mm, with the outer flange being ~28mm x 18mm. Definitely had some room to play with on the opening, but opted to keep close to the smaller dimensions for a snugger fit.

First, I had to remove the console. With this specific console, you just open the cubby door, pull up on the cup holders, remove 6 x 10mm bolts, and the plastic pushpin in the passenger foot well, then lift up the console cubby. The two pieces easily come apart under the cupholder.

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With the console out, I just needed to pick a spot for install. Coming off the center mold line, I aimed for middle between bottom and slot for the cover. Right here:

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So I shaved down that plastic spine, then measured out a piece of paper 19mm x 13mm and taped it in the place I wanted the port. Took an Xacto knife and trace-cut around that mold, then removed the tape and drilled to clear out majority of the inside material, then the Xacto again to clear the remainder.

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I ended up using the Xacto to shave out another millimeter or so on the short sides to widen the whole, the tangs on the side of the connector required having a wider slot. Actual opening I cut was around 20mm x 15mm when digital calipered. After that .... TEST FIT!

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I was happy with the way it looks. It felt sturdy, but the console wall is just thick enough that the tangs on the port can't pop out. It still sits in as sturdy or sturdier than my Camry's hidden port. Now time for reinstall, opposite the install.

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Oh - can't forget the money shots!

Here's shots of my iPod wired up - which I later realized is iOS 5.1.1, which the

$290 Alpine iLX-W650 7" Double DIN Touchscreen Digital Multimedia Receiver with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Alpine iLX-W650 won't support! - and how it looks with the concealment tray over it. Totally not obvious there's anything under there.

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Nice write up

I have the same Alpine and just updated the firmware. Fixed my call quality issues.

I also installed the same USB plug from Amazon.

Attached picture to show where I installed mine. I don't have a fancy center console like yours

 

Looks great! Good job. I also like the way your

$290 iLX-W650 7" double DIN touchscreen digital multimedia receiver with bluetooth, apple carplay and android auto

iLX-W650 seems to fill the entire dash hole, mine definitely doesn't. The kit Crutchfield sent me has 1/2" of plastic ears on the left and right of the screen, while it fits flush at bottom of screen with 1/16"(ish) gap at top of screen. It's my only complaint about the aesthetics, I'd prefer it to look more stock like yours. I'd seen other people's installs look like yours, I just don't understand how! Surely the screen is the same size?

EDIT: Pic of mine - https://www.tundras.com/threads/touch-screen-head-unit-whos-got-what.65309/page-3#post-1807489

 

Nice work!!!

 

Your truck has a different size screen opening because it is an 06.

 

Bummer! I like having the last of the lineage, wonder if it's possible to retrofit an earlier year's center bezel.... Hmmm....

I've been wanting to upgrade to woodgrain on the center. Just ordered the parts for the wood grain door controls and center console cupholder.

 

Not gonna lie, I wouldn't buy the ILX- W650 again. It's not been my best purchase.

I do like what you've done here though. Thanks for sharing.

 

I've heard a lot of gripes from anyone using Android, and a few grumbles from everyone under the sun about updates causing issues with already-configured (and formerly fully working) stuff.

The display looks great. Sound is good for me. Calling functionality is great. However, I'm having a lot of grief right now just getting it to support 'iPod' functionality. I need to have access to "offline" playing of music, because we often take the truck out into the Appalachians for hiking and camping trips where there is zero radio or data service available, and this unit doesn't support discs.

The 1st iPod I was using successfully in other Toyota vehicles we own is apparently too old to work. I've got a few iPhone 5c and 5s laying around, so I wiped one of the 5c, spent an hour loading some music on it, plugged it in, and iPod function won't work with it either ... it tries to do CarPlay with it instead, which I don't want!

Up to this point, I wasn't disappointed. Will need to get the rest of my audio setup worked out before I think about other products though. I'd also love to find a better external mic for the unit. The OEM one they give you has good sound quality for the receiving end, even while driving, but it looks atrocious. I haven't found a nice, clean place or way to mount it yet. The metal clip is really pissing me off.

PS/Edit: I will say the experience with this unit from an integration perspective is *awesome* if you have steering wheel controls. I love that a long (1s+) tap on the volume down mutes the unit totally, and it does it faster than I could reach a knob and spin CCW to zero. Using the steering wheel controls (with a suitable adapter) is actually more convenient than a knob for once. I'm normally a knob junkie, this Alpine unit with steering controls changed my view.

 

Why don't you just load songs onto a flash drive and plug it in?

 

Or download to your phone and just use blue tooth?

Either way doesn't require cell service..

 

Did something similar with a Toyota flush USB port I found on Amazon for my Kenwood Double Din.

 

That hasn't been the cause of my issues unfortunately. How did you update the firmware?

 

Download the new firmware to a flash drive. Plug it in, takes a few minutes.

 

I replaced one of my 12v plugs with one of the AUX/USB plugs. Wired both into the back of the radio. This plug could be mounted anywhere though and adds both functions. Just have to drill a hole and pop it in.

 

I found straight USB flash drive was frustratingly slow to populate - I used one of my near-flush-mount USB3 128GB sticks and put about 20GB of stuff on it. It's an option but not ideal when I consider how convenient an iPod was with previous stereos.

With my phone, work provided and paid, it's sadly only 32GB, of which we have proprietary internal stuff that eats up about 20GB, 5GB for iOS/system stuff, so not much space for extras. Need to scrimp where I can. Beggars can't be choosers, so it's what I'm doing, but I'd prefer to leverage more of my 1.5 TB of music archive vs. having 2-3 albums and enough space for my work email.

I had a tiny 2GB iPod shuffle (4th gen/2012) laying around so I tried that today also. No dice. iLX sees it as a USB drive, but can't understand there's actually music on it.

I'll figure some better option out. It's just a little frustrating something that worked with several other OEM stereos and two aftermarket stereos won't work with this specific HU.

I should probably update though, just to see if it's supported.

 

My Boss stereo came with 2 USB cables. I’m looking for the adapter to plug into the dashboard so I can plug the other end of USN cables to the back. Almost like a usb extension, not for power.

 

This is what I used on my DC. Not the best quality from a fit and finish perspective, but it works and it's not that easy to see anyway:

$15 MOTONG Male to Female USB Power Port Socket Adapter for Toyota VIGO, Please Confirm The Dashboard Hole's Size Before Order(40 * 20mm)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07425JMN9

 

I clicked on that link and have gone through all of the options and cannot find the USB dashboard flush adapter.

 

The forum annoyingly automatically links to A-Zon and fleabay any time you type their name correctly. If you click the link, it takes you to A-Zon or fleabay (or any of a few other sites that automatically get linked) and the forum makes referral money if you actually buy anything.

tl;dr @artsr2002 didn't create that link, if you want a link to the product he used, you may need for him to come here and give a link, or scroll to the bottom of this page and try one of the referral products listed.

 

Gotcha!!! Thank you !

 

It's the same application as the link I posted above. It's the only option I could find.

 

It’s fine thanks. I found one on Crutchfield. Only thing is I can’t buy them as a single. Jace to buy a bag of like 4.

 

Sorru, been away from here for a while. Here is the link to the flush mount USB port that I used. Good luck.

$15 MOTONG Male to Female USB Power Port Socket Adapter for Toyota VIGO, Please Confirm The Dashboard Hole's Size Before Order(40 * 20mm)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07425JMN9

When you connect the USB cable from your headunit to this extension, I recommend that you tape up the connection with some Tessa tape so the connection won't come loose.

What year is your truck? The link I provided looks like the buttons on the first gens. There are newer USB ports for the newer Tundras that might look better if you have a newer truck. See here....

$15 MOTONG Male to Female USB Cable Adapter for Toyota VIOS/ALTIS (32 * 20mm)

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-USB-2...sb+port&qid=1632122366&sr=8-4#customerReviews

 

Link? I searched Crutchfield and couldn't find it. Am hoping theirs is of better quality.

 

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_074USBDKIT/Beuler-USBD-Kit.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541USBDMA6/PAC-USBDMA6.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_074USBR2X/Accele-USBR2X.html

 

Well that looks way better than what I was thinking! Thanks, Bob Wood

 

No reason you couldn't put it in that button. But also see what @KNABORES did above, it's an easy solution if you're OK with sacrificing that cig lighter power source. If not, I'm fairly sure this panel here pops out, and you may be able to replace it with the unit you see @artsr2002 posted above... which you can find direct-snap-in USB ports for...

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Yep, that panel easily pops out. This is the USB port I used.

$15 MOTONG Male to Female USB Power Port Socket Adapter for Toyota VIGO, Please Confirm The Dashboard Hole's Size Before Order(40 * 20mm)

https://www.amazon.com/MOTONG-Femal...e's+size+before+order+40+20mm+,aps,111&sr=8-1

 

I ordered the usb port and am going to install it in the pop out panel. The button would have been more complicated and in the end not as clean as your installation. Thanks for the help.