Finally I documented the installation of my ipod. The thing is attached to the cell phone holder mount using an aluminum bracket. Ask your friendly machinist to cut it out of a 16x6x70 mm piece of aluminum. The dimensions are not that critical. The bracket is attached by a 10-32 screw located 6mm above the bottom and 1mm off the center to the left. On the top of the bracket sits a part of a Belkin TuneDok Car Holder.

Electrical connection is provided by the Belkin "Auto Charger w/Audio for iPod". It plugs into the firewire socket on the bottom of the ipod, requires 12V power and has audio out minijack. Ignition switched 12V comes from the RJ cell phone connector, the one under the cupholder, courtesy of Mr. Jeff Bipes. To enable it you have to attach a DB-25 male connector with a couple of jumpers to the female telephone connector in the trunk. For all the details please check Jeff's pages.

Audio signal goes from Belkin adapter through 3ft minijack-RCA male cable to the BlitzSafe/Autotoys adapter that connects to the CD changer harness.
The whole electrical harness is hidden under the hump under cupholders.

ipod recharges only when the ignition is on. With ignition off there is no power to the Belkin charger green LED or amplifier so it does not discharge the car's battery. (There were some voices of concern about battery power consumption when engine is not running. I think this is bull, but using an ignition- switched power eliminates the effect completely).

Sound quality is excellent; no noise, hum or interference. With Belkin amplifier the volume level can be matched to radio volume. ipod recharges all the time so the display can be back lighted and it can go indefinitely (not the case od itrip FM transmitter).

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7978/ipodbracket.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7978/ipodinst.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7978/ipodbracket2.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7978/ipodharness.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7978/ipodholder.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7978/YAipod1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/7978/YAipod2.jpg">

 

very clean install cool!

 

nice install

 

I'm modifying this same unit for power, and Aux. Input, using the built-in preamp

 

Very nice job... from your post I learned someting too - the Belkin Audio In actually works! I had seen that input but didn't see how it applied to my install... Just went out to the car and yep, it's a go. Now I have some re-wiring to do. :-)

Thanks for posting this - your aluminum bracket is a great idea!