USB charger mounted in dash?

[LXGus]

Here’s a post from another user that installed a USB plug-in in a blank switch, and also installed one on the back of the console (@Tex68w) and in the cigarette lighter. I copied his MagSafe charger set up and am planning to install the below in the cigarette lighter slot…I haven’t been able to find a USB-C plug that fits the switch plate yet.

Post in thread 'What have you done to your 200 Series this week?'
What have you done to your 200 Series this week? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-200-series-this-week.818471/post-14056864

MICTUNING 36W Fast PD USB-C Car... Amazon product ASIN B07LCBKZSG

This is close to what I'm going for. My issue is my LX has zero open blank panels to install a USB into, so I'm going to need to find a place in a panel with enough empty space behind it to install into. I'll upload if / when I figure it out.

 

[jbs11]

This is close to what I'm going for. My issue is my LX has zero open blank panels to install a USB into, so I'm going to need to find a place in a panel with enough empty space behind it to install into. I'll upload if / when I figure it out.

If you don’t have enough space for something like this, you can hide it somewhere behind the dash and extend with this, which is a bit smaller. For example it fits here:

 

[LXGus]

Finally figured out a great solution to my driver / passenger USB project. There are some good suggestions in this thread but I had a few issues with some of them. The main one being my LX570 doesn't have any spare or empty ports for a plug, so I was left with either drilling a new hole somewhere, mounting into a custom plate - like in the little compartment to the left of the steering wheel, or coming up with another solution. My goals were:

1. Solve the issue of the OEM USB plug being located in the console resulting in the cable always being in the way
2. Solve for driver and passenger having charging options
3. Find a solution that didn't require altering / cutting / wiring
4. Added benefit, I can now charge and play music via bluetooth without having to switch to the 'iPod' input mode - the default Lexus mode.

I purchased two 90 degree USB adapters on Amazon. The ones I used where the second ones I purchased because the first ones were too tall. I went with this cigarette adapter because it was the lowest profile / smallest I could find that didn't have a plastic body. When I removed the compartment panel, there is a plastic edge piece on the back that needs to be removed to allow the wires to run from the back. It's a little challenging to snap off. I had to remove these panels:

• left of the driver side dash
• the small panel left of the steering column
• the panel above the steering column
• the drivers console air vent
• the leather panel with the start button
• the leather panel on the passenger side
• then the compartment with the cigarette lighter

The last panel can't be removed with the LX in park so don't unplug the start button, you'll need to start the car to move the gear selector. The driver side has a USB running from the USB extender I installed, running under all the panels and coming out in the gauge cluster. I slips into the groove of the Ram mount nicely. The passenger USB extender daylights just under the leather panel.

List of items:

• 90 degree USB adapter - Amazon product ASIN B0142BEEHW
• USB 3.0 extender - Amazon product ASIN B0871X8SXY
• 4.8A USB cigarette adapter - https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0795DJXNH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

 

[LXGus]

I've tried a few times to get the Amazon links to work in the post, but for whatever reason, they aren't working so here are the product names:

UCEC Short SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Male to Female Extension Cable, 90 Degree Adapter Connection, Left and Right Angle - Blue(Pack of 2)​

UGREEN USB Extension 2 Pack, (3 FT+ 3 FT) USB 3.0 Extender USB Cable Male to Female 5Gbps Data Transfer Compatible with Printers, Mouse, Keyboard, Flash Drive, Hard Drive, Hub, Oculus VR, Xbox​

Car Charger, AINOPE Smallest 4.8A All Metal Car Charger Adapter Fast Charge USB Car Charger Flush Fit Compatible with iPhone 13/12/11 pro/XR/x/7/6s, iPad Air 2/Mini 3, Samsung Note 9/S10/S9/S8-Black​

 

[DadWagon]

Love it, how did you mount that Ram to the dash? Do you have a side profile of that? Will need to go this route or similar for garmin. I went a different location for phone mount but used some of those same 90° USB cords, handy.

 

[LXGus]

Good question @DadWagon! They don't sell all the parts I used as a kit. I bought the large version of the X-grip, B sized ball with adhesive sticker (I just stuck it onto the dash) and a long double socket arm because I wanted more location flexibility, wanted the phone closer to me and not up against the air vent. The kit they sell uses the medium arm. On the highway it made my phone vibrate a little since the ball components are rubber, so I got a little rubber bumper from Home Depot and just wedge it under the arm and it's super solid.

 

[Julian73]

It doesn’t matter, prongs are the same.

UBS's would typically have a polarity difference, due to internal electronics.