RubiGrid and USB port

[tefoster]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and I've already found some new ideas to try out. There is a lot of great information here, but I have a specific question that I haven't seem to come up with answer just yet.

I installed a www.bulletpointmountingsolutions.com RubiGrid in my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon and I would like to route/tap in to the power/data USB port and add a new port under the RubiGrid so that I don't have any USB cables flopping around inside the cab. Can anyone guide me on how to add a new USB port under the RubiGrid so that I can just have a short 3 or 4 inch USB cable running to my mounted phone? I need it to be compatible with Android Auto.

I pryed off a couple of the dash panels and actually got to the cables that plug into the media port, but I'm not comfortable just cutting the cable and trying to tap into those wires.

Has anyone done this and can you share with my your process/procedures and success?

Thanks,
Tom

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[mdyucca]

Several have done this and I have seen a few posts and variations of doing what you’re looking for. My version was to use the cigarette lighter circuit since I had removed the cigarette lighter in order to install the trailer brake controller. I wired and mounted a 12 volt to 5 volt drok (from Amazon) dual usb port fast charger under the steering column. From the fast charger I ran micro usb and Apple charge cables up and through dash to phone mount. The first photo is looking through the windshield to the mount.

 

[dmwphoto]

I just removed the temp control bezel and navigation bezel and routed the USB through those areas. I tuck the tag end into the Rubigrid when not using.

 

[nickd]

The pro move is to get a long USB cable and route it from the Rubigrid down the dash board into the center console where it is hidden and out of the way. This would involve a lot of interior removal

 

[RubiNewbCB]

The pro move is to get a long USB cable and route it from the Rubigrid down the dash board into the center console where it is hidden and out of the way. This would involve a lot of interior removal

Will this still allow for wired connection to Adroid Auto, if it's plugged into the center console vs the dash port?

 

[nickd]

Will this still allow for wired connection to Adroid Auto, if it's plugged into the center console vs the dash port?

Yes it will connect to Andriod auto or Carplay through the USB port in the center console.

Here is a video of the necessary interior breakdown.

 

[sharpsicle]

The pro move is to get a long USB cable and route it from the Rubigrid down the dash board into the center console where it is hidden and out of the way. This would involve a lot of interior removal

I never understood this. Why run a cable all the way out there just to bring it all the way back to the dash, when the dash has the wiring right there already? Cable length should be minimized for best performance and reliability.

 

[tefoster]

Several have done this and I have seen a few posts and variations of doing what you’re looking for. My version was to use the cigarette lighter circuit since I had removed the cigarette lighter in order to install the trailer brake controller. I wired and mounted a 12 volt to 5 volt drok (from Amazon) dual usb port fast charger under the steering column. From the fast charger I ran micro usb and Apple charge cables up and through dash to phone mount. The first photo is looking through the windshield to the mount.

Wow! I never thought to look for something like this, it is exactly what I was looking for!!!
Is something like this compatible with Android Auto? That's my main reason for doing this.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[tefoster]

Thanks everyone for the excellent ideas. I appreciate everyone's support. I'll be sure to comment after I get this done.

 

[mdyucca]

Wow! I never thought to look for something like this, it is exactly what I was looking for!!!
Is something like this compatible with Android Auto? That's my main reason for doing this.
Thanks,
Tom

These are simply charge cables. No data going either direction.

 

[Marman]

Not sure if this will help any:

How to add a CarPlay USB A port + 1 x QC 3.0 USB-A 18w + 2 x 20w PD USB-C ports on upper dash

 

[tefoster]

Thanks Everyone - I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to reach out and say than none of the solutions worked for me. It's easy to get USB power up to the RubiGrid and I am happy for all of the suggestions to get me there.

I'm still looking for a solution to get AndroidAuto up to the RubiGrid without external cables. I've become quite a pro working through the dash and removing panels as necessary, I just can't figure out how to run data through the grid.

This looked very promising, but I can't get it to work.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-2-x-20w-pd-usb-c-ports-on-upper-dash.106419/

I even sent items back that didn't match the exact specs as described in the article. If anyone has gotten this to work or knows an alternate solution, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[sharpsicle]

What if you used a wireless android auto unit? Then you would only need power up at the mount.

It would save you a lot of trouble.

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