OK, while I was waiting for my in-dash GPS unit, I started trying to figure out what other simple mod I could do while I had the dash apart. Well, it hit me. Why not install a dual USB I/O directly in the dash. This way I can completely eliminate wires hanging and cell phone charger using power ports.

So, here's what I did.....

I went to a local computer repair shop and bought a used HP case. It had no motherboard or power supply. However, it did have the dual female USB plug, bracket and wiring. It also had a few other goodies like LEDs, switches, and jacks for headphones and microphone. I paid $5.00 for everything.

I removed the USB plugs, wires and bracket and trimmed the outside edges of the bracket so that it would fit in one of the two spaces next to the cigarette lighter on the radio/ Air conditioner bezel.

The plastic insert that holds the cigarette lighter has plug outlets spaces for additional switches (mine aren't used). I cut off one of the unused plug receptors next to the lighter and installed the metal USB bracket using 5minute epoxy. Not only does the metal bracket offer additional mounting surface, it has the shape of the USB holes that need to be cut out.

Once the epoxy cured, I drilled holes for for the USB, roughed in the shape with a Drimmel and cleaned up the corners with a jeweler's file.

The new GPS HU has 1 USB I/O, and it's supposed to be loose in the glove compartment. With this mod, I can have one USB feeding music to the HU via iPod while the other charges my phone!

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Front view.

 

looks sweet. I might have to do that. I was going to use the left side to mount a switch for my fog lights too. Seems like a good spot that is disposable and easy to replace if you change your mind.

 

I just got a new ashtray / cup holder that came off a wrecked truck. I'm planning on wiring up some blue LEDs right under that same spot so that I can illuminate that area. I just noticed this evening that when it's pitch black out at night, you can't even see the floorboard much less black cup holders. I'll post pics once I do the mod.

BTW, thanks for the compliment.

 

I did that with my head unit as well. The annoying thing is if you have thumb drives with leds in them, they flash while the music plays.

 

Did you ever find out why they flash with the music?

 

Yeah the led on the flash drive flashes on activity...

I have a few usb thumbdrives that do not have these leds in it. I have an sd card in there now.

 

Very nice! I was looking into something along those lines by replacing the cig lighter with a USB/MP3 unit. I was told the stock radio can't take a USB input.
What kind of stereo do you have?

 

Is there a pastic ring that slips down the barrel of the cig lighter from the back side? My lighter is wobbly in the dash and I can't see any damage but there is nothing holding it from the backside. Seems to me there should be something there.

 

What did you wire the USB into?