Okay, so after getting a new phone I decided to come up with a cleaner look rather than have a car charger cable just sitting on the console. I didn't see anything in particular like this in the DIY section so I figured I'd make one for those who like a clean look. as well.
Tools:
-Drill with at least a 1/4 bit(The size of the hole will need to be bigger or smaller depending on your charger's plug size, the side that plugs into the phone that is)
-Wire strippers
-Screwdriver(Phillips head)
-Electrical tape
-Painters tape.
-Pencil
-Knife or blade of some sort
Optional Tools:
-Soldering gun(I ended up finding one in my back building, a nice 120volt one, muhahaha... Freaking thing gets hot quick though... Be careful =/)
-Solder
Merchandise:
-Female 12volt plug(Can be bought at any electronics store. Radio Shack, etc.)
-Wire(I ended up using speaker wire I got from work for super cheap.)
-20 amp inline fuse holder(Can also be bought at any electronics store.)
-10 amp fuse(Obviously needed to go with the fuse holder. I went with a 10 amp because I figured It would just be a little safer than using a 20 amp.)
-Grommet(I had a pack left over from when I made my CAI, so I found one that fit. These can be bought at an auto parts store.)
Okay now on to the install process.
Step 1:
Start off by removing the center console. For those who do not know how to do so, here is the DIY: Console Removal
Step 2:
Open the ash tray and take out the little container part. Then reach up and pull the center fascia off. It can be a bit tricky to do, but just pull really hard(you won't break it) and it should pop off. There are a total of 3 clips on each side that hold it in place that need to pop loose.
![Image]()
Step 3:
Unplug the connectors to the A/C controller. Just press the clips that hold them in, and they should pull right out. Then just rotate the face plate up and set it on the dash. Leave the connectors for the clock/hazard button unit attached.
![Image]()
Step 4:
This now leaves you with a good bit of space to reach your hands in and get access to the screws that hold the ash tray and stock 12volt plug in place. After a good half hour of trying to just get the 12volt plug out by itself, and going as far as texting Lee(Njtricker609) to see if he knew how to do it, I finally said screw it and unscrewed the four screws holding the two pieces in place.
![Image]()
Now be careful when pulling the unit out, because there is a plug at the back of the ash tray that sends power to both the 12volt plug and the small light in the ash tray itself.
After you pull the ash tray and plug out enough to get access to the plug at the back of the ash tray, unplug it obviously. You will now be working with just this piece for the next few minutes.
![Image]()
Step 5:
Pull the foam surrounding the wires off to expose the wires so you can see which you need to tap into. It turns out to be the blue as the positive wire and the black to be the negative.
![Image]()
Carefully remove the insulation from middle of the positive and the negative wires with your knife or blade. This allows you to tap into both of them with the wires that will run along the inside of the center console to your secondary 12volt plug. Then solder both wires in and wrap well with electrical tape to make sure there can be no short circuits. Don't forget to use your in line fuse wire on the positive side, and to put the fuse in the holder!
![Image]()
Be sure to remember to reconnect the plug at the back of the ash tray before you slide the ash tray/12 volt plug combo back into place, otherwise you will have no power. Also make sure you run your wires behind the plastic piece below the unit, otherwise it will get pinched when you put the console back in.
![Image]()
Here is a picture of the wires behind the plastic piece:
![Image]()
Step 6:
Now run your wires back along your shifter to where your charger will sit under the console.
![Image]()
Cut and solder your wires to the new secondary 12volt plug. Make sure to check which is positive and which is negative on the plug... I ruined a car charger and my gps charger as well. :3_withstu Also make sure to test everything before starting to put things back together.
![Image]()
Step 7:
Okay so now on to the part that you will be drilling into. On my car, I chose a piece that is removable. I have noticed that some of the older tibs do not have this piece. I am not sure if it is just on the newer 07/08 models or what, but if you have an older tib that does not have this spot, then just choose another location to drill your hole. I popped the piece out and put a piece of painters tape on it so I could find my center point. The tape also helps to keep the piece nice and clean when you are drilling into it. Sorry, the pic is a bit fuzzy, the camera is stupid sometimes.
![Image]()
Step 8:
This is the part of the DIY that can vary from charger to charger. I drilled my initial hole then I had to make it bigger so the plug would fit through. I made the mistake of putting the grommet on the charger cable and in the hole before I had the piece back in the console. Don't make the same mistake.
![Image]()
Step 9:
After the plug could fit through the hole, I then put the piece back into the center console without the charger through it, the piece would not fit with the charger in place. When the piece was back in, I pulled the charger back through until the coiled part was at the underside of the console. I then put the grommet on the charger cable and fit it into the hole on the drilled piece.
Step 10:
Last but not least put your console back together and youre now finished!
![Image]()
I think I covered everything, if not or if you have questions, let me know and I'll do what I can to help.
Tools:
-Drill with at least a 1/4 bit(The size of the hole will need to be bigger or smaller depending on your charger's plug size, the side that plugs into the phone that is)
-Wire strippers
-Screwdriver(Phillips head)
-Electrical tape
-Painters tape.
-Pencil
-Knife or blade of some sort
Optional Tools:
-Soldering gun(I ended up finding one in my back building, a nice 120volt one, muhahaha... Freaking thing gets hot quick though... Be careful =/)
-Solder
Merchandise:
-Female 12volt plug(Can be bought at any electronics store. Radio Shack, etc.)
-Wire(I ended up using speaker wire I got from work for super cheap.)
-20 amp inline fuse holder(Can also be bought at any electronics store.)
-10 amp fuse(Obviously needed to go with the fuse holder. I went with a 10 amp because I figured It would just be a little safer than using a 20 amp.)
-Grommet(I had a pack left over from when I made my CAI, so I found one that fit. These can be bought at an auto parts store.)
Okay now on to the install process.
Step 1:
Start off by removing the center console. For those who do not know how to do so, here is the DIY: Console Removal
Step 2:
Open the ash tray and take out the little container part. Then reach up and pull the center fascia off. It can be a bit tricky to do, but just pull really hard(you won't break it) and it should pop off. There are a total of 3 clips on each side that hold it in place that need to pop loose.
Step 3:
Unplug the connectors to the A/C controller. Just press the clips that hold them in, and they should pull right out. Then just rotate the face plate up and set it on the dash. Leave the connectors for the clock/hazard button unit attached.
Step 4:
This now leaves you with a good bit of space to reach your hands in and get access to the screws that hold the ash tray and stock 12volt plug in place. After a good half hour of trying to just get the 12volt plug out by itself, and going as far as texting Lee(Njtricker609) to see if he knew how to do it, I finally said screw it and unscrewed the four screws holding the two pieces in place.
Now be careful when pulling the unit out, because there is a plug at the back of the ash tray that sends power to both the 12volt plug and the small light in the ash tray itself.
After you pull the ash tray and plug out enough to get access to the plug at the back of the ash tray, unplug it obviously. You will now be working with just this piece for the next few minutes.
Step 5:
Pull the foam surrounding the wires off to expose the wires so you can see which you need to tap into. It turns out to be the blue as the positive wire and the black to be the negative.
Carefully remove the insulation from middle of the positive and the negative wires with your knife or blade. This allows you to tap into both of them with the wires that will run along the inside of the center console to your secondary 12volt plug. Then solder both wires in and wrap well with electrical tape to make sure there can be no short circuits. Don't forget to use your in line fuse wire on the positive side, and to put the fuse in the holder!
Be sure to remember to reconnect the plug at the back of the ash tray before you slide the ash tray/12 volt plug combo back into place, otherwise you will have no power. Also make sure you run your wires behind the plastic piece below the unit, otherwise it will get pinched when you put the console back in.
Here is a picture of the wires behind the plastic piece:
Step 6:
Now run your wires back along your shifter to where your charger will sit under the console.
Cut and solder your wires to the new secondary 12volt plug. Make sure to check which is positive and which is negative on the plug... I ruined a car charger and my gps charger as well. :3_withstu Also make sure to test everything before starting to put things back together.
Step 7:
Okay so now on to the part that you will be drilling into. On my car, I chose a piece that is removable. I have noticed that some of the older tibs do not have this piece. I am not sure if it is just on the newer 07/08 models or what, but if you have an older tib that does not have this spot, then just choose another location to drill your hole. I popped the piece out and put a piece of painters tape on it so I could find my center point. The tape also helps to keep the piece nice and clean when you are drilling into it. Sorry, the pic is a bit fuzzy, the camera is stupid sometimes.
Step 8:
This is the part of the DIY that can vary from charger to charger. I drilled my initial hole then I had to make it bigger so the plug would fit through. I made the mistake of putting the grommet on the charger cable and in the hole before I had the piece back in the console. Don't make the same mistake.
Step 9:
After the plug could fit through the hole, I then put the piece back into the center console without the charger through it, the piece would not fit with the charger in place. When the piece was back in, I pulled the charger back through until the coiled part was at the underside of the console. I then put the grommet on the charger cable and fit it into the hole on the drilled piece.
Step 10:
Last but not least put your console back together and youre now finished!
I think I covered everything, if not or if you have questions, let me know and I'll do what I can to help.
lol
