Adding USB Ports behind dash

[amoyer_01]

Has anyone added USB port(s) behind the dash or glove box? I want to add a wireless Carplay/Android Auto adapter and tap into the dash USB ports. I really want to not use the dash USB ports. If I tap into the wires for the USB ports which do I need to use to get the adapter to talk with the radio. I do not have the media ports/power outlet on the back of my center console on my 2021. I wish I did so I could just put this adapter in my center armrest cubby.

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[JTR178]

For the amount of times you occasionally have to unplug and replug that adapter if it has issues I wouldn’t recommend mounting it behind the dash.

 

[WK2JT]

For the amount of times you occasionally have to unplug and replug that adapter if it has issues I wouldn’t recommend mounting it behind the dash.

This… I’ve thought about doing the same but came to this conclusion.

 

[Alans17]

I don’t have USB ports in the back on the center console, but I still have one inside and it’s CarPlay compatible. I think it’s standard.

 

[amoyer_01]

I don’t have USB ports in the back on the center console, but I still have one inside and it’s CarPlay compatible. I think it’s standard.

My USB port in the armrest doesn’t work with CarPlay and AA. I also have the 7” screen and no rear USB ports.

 

[Alans17]

My USB port in the armrest doesn’t work with CarPlay and AA. I also have the 7” screen and no rear USB ports.

I’ve got the same setup. Try a different cable. It should work.

 

[Dougstdig]

I have a 21’ that has rear and center console. The manual states only the ones in the dash are data compatible. It’s with the usb-C or standard…not both.

 

[amoyer_01]

I’ve got the same setup. Try a different cable. It should work.

Tried it today, funny it doesn't work with AA but will work with Carplay. It is nice to have that center armrest port work with Carplay, I can add a wireless adapter in there. If you plug something into one of the dash ports with Carplay working will it over ride the armrest USB (using Carplay)? Thinking of adding a magsafe "puck" charger to the angled area in front of the shifter and below the dash. I dont want to add it there if it will over ride the carplay in the armrest though.

Thanks this opens up more options for me now.

 

[Alans17]

Tried it today, funny it doesn't work with AA but will work with Carplay. It is nice to have that center armrest port work with Carplay, I can add a wireless adapter in there. If you plug something into one of the dash ports with Carplay working will it over ride the armrest USB (using Carplay)? Thinking of adding a magsafe "puck" charger to the angled area in front of the shifter and below the dash. I dont want to add it there if it will over ride the carplay in the armrest though.

Thanks this opens up more options for me now.

If you plug a CarPlay device into each of the 2 ports, it’ll ask you which one you want to prioritize. If only one of the devices is CarPlay, it won’t override.

I can’t recommend a wireless adapter. I’ve got one and found it to be quite buggy. I’ve stopped using it.

 

[Appalachia]

Is there a USB hub somewhere inside the Gladiator? My USB in the dash works fine but the one under the armrest doesn't. I have removed the port and tested it and it works fine, I have tried to trace where the wire goes but it just merges with the wire harness.

 

[Hootbro]

Is there a USB hub somewhere inside the Gladiator? My USB in the dash works fine but the one under the armrest doesn't. I have removed the port and tested it and it works fine, I have tried to trace where the wire goes but it just merges with the wire harness.

The media port on the front center stack dash is also the USB hub for the other USB ports.

 

[sarguy1941]

I leave my android in the dash port and wife plugs her iphone into the armrest port and swap between the two phone often with no issues. I actually add a data blocker when we travel on my phone so AA doesn't open.

 

[ttn333]

I use my inside armrest port for my AA wireless. Just have to find the righ cable.

 

[fourfa]

This is a necropost, so probably wasting my time replying to the OP but... With my phone and a normal 3ft cable plugged into the inside of the center console, I had no end of problems. Dropped calls, lost GPS, even hard resets.

I added a Carlinkit wireless-Carplay adapter and tried it out inside the center console with the shorty cable it came with. Lo and behold, it just works all the time. Only think I can guess is that the long cables are picking up some interference or stray RF? I've seen a lot of people trying different cables until they find one that works, then replacing it when it stops working. That would imply to me the RF shielding inside breaking down. Who knows.

Anyway, if you're having a problem with the inside cubby ports, try a shorty cable.

 

[Kevin_D]

I, too, use a Carlinkit. I plug it's little cord into a short USB Y-cable that has power only on one side. I use the console USB plug.
With an iPhone X, the connection was OK, but I had trouble with it enough to be annoying.
With a new iPhone 14, the connection is rock solid, and works reliably 99% of the time.

But I do know that the usefulness of the console USB varies greatly from Jeep to Jeep.

Kevin

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