Armrest Console as Wiring Hub?

For my overlanding setup in my 2021 ORP, I have several components that need 12V power. With the objectives of keeping the cabin clean and charging draws dispersed, my current thought is to charge my EcoFlow battery from the rear 12V outlet and use the center front 12V outlet for phone charging. I want to route the wiring for my dashcam, GMRS radio and IceCo Go20 fridge into the armrest.

The challenge and the reason I am posting to the board for help is running the wires into the armrest. I have been surprised at how little information I have been able to find on what's in the walls of the armrest hence my hesitation. I was thinking I could drill a 2" hole into the side of back of the console and add a grommet to clean it up.

Does anyone here have experience with this kind of mod? Does anyone know what trouble lurks in the armrest walls? Should I come up with a different strategy?

Thanks in advance for the much needed input!

 

Guild Outfitters has what you want:

https://www.4runnerlifestyle.com/pr...7o1-oJgjQjEEV_Ndtv64JGfwye1t4gWkaAkXlEALw_wcB

 

Everything I need to hook up is 12V with cigarette plug, so I don't think that will work for me.

If I needed 120V, that would the cat's meow no doubt. I ran across that set up researching.

 

The back has the vents running through it. You can close the lid with a bunch of wires coming out the back though. Sides of the console are empty as far as I know

 

I have removed the whole center console trim when adding lights inside the console. Yes what you are doing is possible as there is a lot space under the storage area. The space behind the console is more limited in space as the vents are there. I would recommend removing the whole thing to know what you are working with. If you don't want to do that, you could at least remove the shifter console trim. There is a lot of space under the shifter as well. The wires to the rear cigarette lighter ports behind that console runs along the passenger side. You can simply run your wires along that. I would recommend running everything under the shifter console instead. It is easier to get to and you would have more space to work and you can actually see what you're doing. Hope that makes sense.

 

Some pics for reference;

 

Thanks, @Emmantik and @Kezin ! That's exactly the kind of experienced feedback I was hoping for.

I will now route the GMRS and dashcam wires under the center shifter trim and the refrigerator wire out the back. I definitely feel better about the no cutting approach!

Much appreciated.

 

I put my GMRS, CB radio and extra outlets in the center armrest. I drilled a 1" hole on the front bottom inside to run the wires. You can access the drilled hole through the center console (must remove the center console). It is clean when armrest is closed.

 

Nice, @wingo . Looks like you and @Emmantik took the same approach. The pics from both of you help a ton!

 

If your fridge power cable is thick, you may need to run it out the front where the existing wire cut out is and then just tuck it between the seat and the console. The one that came with our Dometic is flat enough to go through the back next to the hinge but I have had other 12V things with thicker cords that needed the wire to go out front

 

@wingo , how do you route your mike cord during use, please - simply over the top with the armrest lid slightly open?

 

There is a small gap in front that is big enough so I can close the armrest completely down without pinching the mic wire.

 

Thanks again for all the input. I ended up splitting the difference with some wiring routed under the gear shift trim and some through a port I added to the driver side. I am posting the results on the “what have you done to your 5th gen” later today.

 

FYI - I ran my dashcam wires inside the overhead console for a no wire exposed finish using a Dongar adapter. See link for info; EDIT - actually may not work for you as your rearview mirror housing may be different from my 2015 SR5P.

 

Hey @Emmantik , thanks for the additional approach. I’ll file that away for future possibilities!