DIY: Installing Factory iPod in 03.5 6MT Coupe

[elrooko]

Originally Posted by tvillalona

I have sat radio, how would it be a problem

No - just purchase the additional harness with the kit when you buy it (25 bucks). There is an option to add the additional harness before you add it to your cart. Basically, the iPod overrides your SAT radio when it is plugged in. When you want to use the SAT Radio, just unplug your iPod.

[XALTD-1]

Great write up my fellow 06-G-Man, just got done with the hour install this weekend. Smart idea on putting the kit in the backseat center console.

[elrooko]

thanks - I can't take credit for that - I saw it on another post on here somewhere. Also I started figuring out how to really use this thing. The interface really is pretty good. I can search via Playlist, Album, Artist, Title, Composer or Genre. You can choose to Play repeat the whole album, or a Playlist. When you want to display the title on the headunit, you can either display the Artist or Title. If it is too long, you press the "PTY" button again and it shows the rest of the letters in the title. Pretty slick.

[MG2020]

Is there any benefit to installing the ipod in the center console?

Also, if I opted for a trunk install, is it as simple as just doing steps 1-3?

[mondo]

Well these are great instructions but there are a couple more things to help the truly incompetant do this (on an 05 coupe):

First, if you cant remove the trunk carpet, remove spare tire, plastic cover and then plug into the only white plug showing than you are truly hopeless ( it's very simple if you want to leave the Ipod in the trunk-20 minutes, top).

Running the cable to the rear seat console is straight forward... it helps to put the seatback up and down to get your route for the cable to go thru (just open the velcro on the seatback material between the seat and trunk near the driver's side to easily get it thru).

The rear console popped out fairly easy but for some reason one side of my rear seat was hard to pop off (more on that). Unbolting the front console only gives you about a half inch to lift up... but it was enough.

Elrooko must be some kind of Houdini to get that wire from the front console to the rear with the rear seat in place. It was impossible for me and my skills.

So here's my extra tips for those of us with limited skills:

Yank on the rear seat to pop it up (the manual says to "lift and pull forward"... no need to remove from car, just push it up out of the way to have room to pull wire thru carpet.

Take off the front console lid (pop off plastic cover between hinges and unscrew 4 phillip screws) and remove the ashtray (push down on the silver thing as your opening it and it will come out).

If you have big hands the rest of this might not work for you as the confines of the 2 openings in the console are tight.

[mondo]

I took a screw driver and than a socket extension and from the carpet under the back seat I tried to make a wedge/opening/path for the wire to get to the front console (you can pop off a couple plastic caps and loosen the carpet edge under the rear seats).
I used a wire coat hanger, with the tip folded over and taped and ran it to the front console. This wasn't easy and using my fingers inside the small opening at the rear of the front console I was able to feel the end of the hanger and bend it upwards so it could clear the metal backet it was bumping up against. I also took a razor knife and cut the carpet inside this spot of the console to help make an opening (you'll never see it as it's inside the console).
It was a major pain in the A*#@ to work inside this small opening and I got so excited when I got the fish thru that I taped up the wrong end and pulled it back thru It was easier the 2nd time

I put the box in the same spot but on my car the rear console has only that one spot for the box. I couldn't get my console to snap/lock down, though it is all the way down and snug. I can live with this... if it bugs me I'll just put it under the rear seat like others have done.

I'll post/insert some pics I took but I have to reduce their size first. Except for fishing wire that 10 inches between the console and rear seats, it was really easy. That part though....

[sp2pac]

I have a 04 coupe. Does this kit allow me to skip to the next song using the steering wheel controls? also will the volume control still work.

This is the only thing holding me back from getting this right now. I use the steering wheel controls a lot.

Also, is it hard to navigate between playlists? How is that done on the headunit?

Thanks.

[blAk mAx]

same kit for iphone?

[SemperFlyG35]

old thread, i know...

but i just wanted to thank the OP for this thread and the DIY instructions/pictures. they were awesome!

this kit is really cool, but i have 2 minor qualms about it:

1. hitting the track skip button on the steering wheel does nothing, but holding it for 1.5 seconds goes to the next song. this would be much better if a simple click went to the next track, and holding it down fast forwarded or rewinded the track. (like i said, MINOR qualms)

2. the kit defaults to RPT*OFF and RND*OFF (random off) every time you turn on the car. this is pretty annoying as im always having to go into the setup menu and turn on RND*LIST. why cant it just keep the settings it had before? more importantly, does anyone know how to change this?


overall impressions: a very nice kit for those who need the title/artist info on the stock headunit. easy installation if you want it in the trunk and moderate installation if you want the ipod routed back up front. ease of use is only fair, for the above reasons, but sound quality is excellent!

[hipvspec]

Nice Thread!

[needforspeed]

Gj!!