I know there are a lot of threads about how to connect an iPod to the factory head unit, so this thread isn't going to be about that. I already bought a DF-TOY adapter from USA Spec to handle the connection and it arrived yesterday. My question is WHERE are people putting their iPods and how are you hiding the cables? I really want the iPod to go in one of the cup holders so I can still change tracks, playlists etc. Has anyone done that and hidden all of the cables?

 

i havent got a tc, so i havent evaluated how i would do that, but you might look into getting the dock, it has a line out on the dock, and drill a tiny whole for your cable and run all of your cables behind the console., You could probabbly find a way to make some kind of base with bondo or fiberglass that is round that will sit in your cupholder that you can click your ipod into place when your in the car etc..

 

I drilled a hole down from the top of the compartment below the radio, ran the dock cable through that hole, and I connect my iPod up in that area.

I assume you could run the cable under all that plastic back to the cup holder area, you just have a couple of problems.

1) the hole to run the cable through will probably be visible
2) I haven't seen a iPod cable yet that has a small end to make this not much of a problem
3) it'd be in the way if you wanted to use both cupholders.

It should be possible to do what you want, you might be venturing into uncharted territory tho. Let us know how it turns out.

Here are some pics of my setup.

http://mancide.net/scion/P1010020.JPG

http://mancide.net/scion/P1010019.JPG

 

Yeah, it's not so much the connection to the iPod I'm worried about, it's more where everyone is hiding the wires for power etc. I have a Belkin 12V adapter that has a 3.5mm takeoff so only one connection to the iPod is necessary for both power and audio (it uses the dock connector). I'm thinking of putting the belkin in the center compartment, cutting a hole next to the outlet in there big enough to fit the iPod dock connector though and running it into either the side or bottom of the cup holder. I don't have LEDs in the cupholders so I don't need to worry about the wiring for that.

 

Isn't that a large hole to the right of the one you drilled? (I dont my car yet, so forgive me if Im wrong)

 

No, it looks like a hole but there's a bulb in there that lights up that compartment.

 

Yea, that indintation is where the LED is that lights up the compartment. I drilled the hole just to the left of that to run the wire up through the top to give the "invisible cable" impression when looking at the compartment from the seats.

I am using an iPod2Car adapter that is hidden behind the radio, that's where the white dock connection runs to. I'm not familiar with the belkin adapter you are attempting to use, but I know it would be possible to run wires under all that plastic from the radio compartment to the cupholder/console area, as there is already cable run, you could ziptie any wires to that and use it as a guide if you wanted.

 

I have the TOY-AUX adapter in the mail, so I haven't done anything yet... but I was planning on keeping my iPod in that same area under the climate control. I'm not worried about a power wire b/c I'll never have it in there THAT long and I'll likely take it out daily to charge it anyways.

 

True, however the one feature I love about the Belkin adapter is that when you shut off the car, the adapter pauses the iPod which then goes to sleep after 1 minute. When you start the car, the iPod is exactly where you left it and you can continue playing. Works great for audio books etc and you don't have to remember to pause it before leaving the car. I'll be working on the install on Friday, and will take lots of pics. Just out of interest, where are you guys mounting your AUX boxes?

 

I haven't figured out the mounting part yet. I expect the adapter to arrive tomorrow, so we'll see after I get it torn apart I guess. I'll be doing pics too.

 

what kid of ipod do you have? Have you ever seen these they are cool, only for the mini though. But I saw a charger that was just like it for the regular ipod at the apple accessories website, all it would need is a coat hanger and some wire loom to do the same thing.

 

moved...

 

Man those things are ugly Actually one of the difficult parts of my install is that both my wife and I have iPods - she has a mini and I have a 15gb 3G so any install I do has to be able to work for both.

 

I picked up the Pioneer iPod Adapter. Pretty easy install, took about 20 mins. Just have to splice the power and ground wires. Hid the box as well as the iPod in my glove since all controls are powered by the HU. Not to mention it charges the iPod whenever the key's in ACC/ON.

 

I saw a post here once somewhere where the guy had an aftermarket radio and he used the audio AUX input, ran RCA cable from it to 1 1/8 (headphone jack) and mounted it right on the plastic setup kit. (when you put a new radio). And when he wanted to use it he just plugged it in. Looked very clean and very easy to access. Do you guys understand what iam trying to say?

 

I do cuz it was me!!

 

im thinking of getting the alpine ipod adapter, but i dont particularily want to put the box under the front seat..

 

theres lots of room behind the radio dash area.

 

I'm thinking of doing a combination of neckbonenick's panel-jack but someone down on the tC console (cupholder area?) or maybe inside the console somewhere. That way I can have a hidden jack and just leave a short cable there and keep it stashed away when i'm not using my iPod.

I just have to find a good place to mount that jack so that I'll have quick and easy access to it, but it wouldn't get filled with dust and crap.

 

how exactly does the alpine ipod adapter get installed? Is it powered off the head unit, or do I have to get a power source somehow