DIY: USB relocation

[Eggman]

I have been thinking of this, but just as a additional usb outlet

Pretty cool. And it says it's made for Mitsubishi. I wonder if it fits the dash without any cutting or drilling?

[uheym]

Pretty cool. And it says it's made for Mitsubishi. I wonder if it fits the dash without any cutting or drilling?

Heh, someone has to find out it it's made for Mitsubishi

[Daox]

Great thread! I've added it to the mods list.

[Top_Fuel]

I just had a new Kenwood head unit installed. It has a rear USB and a rear auxiliary input...perfect for this device! I picked one up and installed it in my console before I had the head unit put in. Here's a few pictures of how I did it.

First, you have to grab that whole front section of the console and pop it out. It comes out pretty easily. You have to unplug the connector on the little cubby where the key fob goes. Here's what it looks like with the front section removed...




I was also mounting mine in the blank spot where the heated seat switch goes. Carefully measure and drill a small hole in the center of the switch blank. Then grab a 1 1/8" hole saw bit. This is the perfect size for the device...




Here's what it looks like after the hole has been made...






OK...at this point, the device will go right into the hole. Pop the switch blank out and mount the device. Notice that it will stick out about 1/16" so the cap has something to snap on to. You can see how it sticks out slightly in the image below...




At first that's how I set it up. Then I put the cap on it...




The cap is nearly impossible to remove once it's installed. In my opinion, it's too much of a pain to deal with, so at this point I decided to abandon the cap completely. I broke out a piece of coarse sandpaper and opened up the hole in the console slightly so I could get the device to fit more flush so it was no longer sticking out. Here's what I ended up with...



In my opinion, this is the way to go. It looks much better flush and not sticking out...




Here's the finished product...






One last comment... Test fit a USB drive into this thing BEFORE you install it. It's REALLY tight when you try to plug in a USB drive. I wish I had played with this and figured out a way to "loosen" it up. Maybe after I plug something in and out 50 times it will be better. It's so tight right now, that when you pull on the USB drive, the entire plate comes out with it!

I'm very happy with the results. I've tested both the USB and aux jack, and they are working like a champ with my new head unit. Thanks to the OP for this idea!

[Rkt Ship]

I just want that cubby to have that cubby.