AudiWorld Forums - iceLink for iPod -- DIY mount that really works!

Finally got it the IceLink setup done, and thought some may enjoy seeing the results, or profit from my trial and error. (For those who've been following the iceLink posts, I've already posted some of the below instructions, but the pictures and the mount are new.)

<img src="http://www.mnaudi.com/mymnaudi/images/837/icelink.jpg">

First, the silver thingy is a bastige to place. I found the perfect place for it after a couple hours of fiddling (full description below).

Second, remember to either disconnect your battery or at least unplug the head unit (bottom plug) -- the head unit won't recognize the iceLink until it's been unplugged/reset. You may have to do this a couple times, so don't push the radio all the way back in until you're sure everything works.

I fashioned the mount out of the remainder of an old aluminum door I had laying around. All the other mounts I've seen have been too big, too clunky, or placed the iPod either out of reach or in the way of something else. I'm really pleased with the result of taking 10 minutes, a tin snips and some electrical tape to a piece of aluminum.

Finally, the sound quality rocks! MUCH better than the 'ol tape-adapter trick. Now I can listen to my iPod without sounding like I'm sitting on a random seashore.

Step by step for the "silver box":

1) Bring the wire for the silver box down the left side of the radio hole
2) Fish it out into the driver's side footwell (you'll need to pop the trim-piece over the retaining nut on the side of the center stack)
3) Grab the wires, plug into the head unit, plug the wires into the silver thingy,
4) Push the head unit most of the way back into its hole. Snicker like a teenager.
4) Tuck the silver box up right next to the pocket for the owner's manual (under the steering wheel) -- there's just enough space for it to sit there. You can then run your wires to wherever you prefer them to be by tucking them under the console plastic.

Be sure you tuck the head unit back in before you try to place the silver box up there -- and be sure to tuck the wires above the retaining bolt for the trim.

Works like a charm! Dang, Audi REALLY designed every square inch of this car, didn't they? I was shocked at how little space for ANYTHING there was behind that radio!