Extra Full-time 12V Accessory Plug

Parts Needed

12V accessory plug (Victor V5350)
15W Fuse

Tools/Supplies Needed

14 Gauge Positive wire
Blade and Ring-type connectors
Philips head screwdriver
10mm Rachet Wrench
Electrical Tape
3/4" Hole Saw

Summary

Unlike my previous 1999 4Runner, the 1996-1998 4Runners only have a single 12V accessory "cigarette" plug up front. The hardest part was finding the right type of 12V accessory plug and I finally found it at my local AutoZone. The maker is Victor and the model number is V5350.

Step 1: Removing Interior Panels and panel

Remove the driver's side bottom panel, the shifter panel, the front radio panel, and the passenger side footwell panel. To remove the driver's side bottom panel, remove the four 10mm bolts. To remove the passenger side footwell panel, press the center of the plug until it clicks. Pull the plug out. Next, slide the footwell panel in an upwards angle to the back of the 4Runner.

Push in the center pin which will allow you to pull out the plug.

Slide the footwell panel up and towards the back (P).

Step 2: Mounting the 12V Accessory Plug

Flip the footwell panel, exposing the inside part, put the accessory plug on the panel itself and trace around it. Mark a center hole. If you have a 3/4" hole saw, use it---it will produce a much cleaner hole than my drill bit. As you can see, my hole is less than perfect (ok, its ugly). Remove any flash or extraneous pieces to ensure a good, solid fit.

Next, unscrew the protective cover of the 12V Accessory plug. From the front side, insert the accessory plug. Once seated, hand screw the protective cover on the back side. Do not overtighten. You will see that the fit is excellent and it does not require any glue.

Here's the front side to show you the approximate location of the 12V plug.

Hand tighten for a no-glue fit!

Step 3: Powering the Accessory Plug

Run a 14 gauge positive (red) wire from the interior, through the firewall hole and into the engine bay. Pull the wire through and crimp on a blade-type connector. Do not plug it in yet.

Next, go back inside, run the positive wire to the shifter area and cut the end of the positive wire. Crimp on a blade-type connector here as well.

For the negative wire, plug in the blade connector onto the accessory plug. Next, crimp on a ring connector on the other end. Ground the (-) wire to a place of your choosing.

Now attach the positive blade connector into the accessory plug and plug the other connector into the auxiliary fuse box itself. Plug in a 15 amp fuse into the auxiliary box.

Test the connection with a mobile phone car charger or some other simliar device.

That's it. Reassemble everything in reverse order. Of note, make sure you do not forget to screw in the philips head screws for the radio panel. I always forget to do one or two of them.

I ran the positive wire underneath the carpet. The carpet is held down by very strong velcro.

Here is a pic of the completed 12V accessory plug. Not bad and it does have that OEM look to it.