You all may remember I got a Phatnoise box for my birthday earlier in the week. Well I got some extra time off this afternoon, so guess what I did?

First of all, go to this page, study it, print it, memorize it for instructions for removing the side panel:
<a href="http://www.kodify.com/audiTT/changer/">removing the side panel&gt;</a>

I came across this site a while back, it's for installing the cd changer but the instructions for removing the side panel are excellent.

A couple of tips:
- If you are removing a 6 disk changer make sure you remove all of your CDs first, without power to the changer, you can't do it

- I have a Strat armrest with cup holder. Taking out the cup holder made life a lot easier.

1. Once you have the seat bottom, driver's side seat back, and side panel removed, take out the cd changer bracket and remove the cd changer from the bracket. Set aside two of the mounting bolts from the cd changer bracket and two of the screws that hold the changer to the bracket for later use.

2. Mount the Phatnoise in the bracket with the logo facing you. Secure it using two of the black screw you saved. Mount it so it sits as low in the bracket as possible.

3. Do a dry fit without the cable, and note where the cable would drop at the bottom. Below is a grey foamite piece. Set aside the bracket for a bit.

4. Remove the foamite, and with a hacksaw blade, cut out about a 3" square segment of it where the cable connector lined up. You need this out so the cable doesn't bend too much. Replace the foamite.

5. Set the bracket so the screw holes line up, then slide it to the right so that the left bracket screw lines up with the right screw hole, and loosely secure it with one of the bolts you saved. Look at picture from the link:
<img src="http://www.kodify.com/audiTT/changer/7.JPG">
The left bolt should line up where the right bolt is in this picture. The CD changer bracket will be just about up against that round brace to the right.

6. You'll now note that the lower right screw hole doesn't line up. You'll need to drill a new hole. It took me three tries to line it up right. The correct place is at 11 o'clock to the seat belt tensioner, or about 4:45 o'clock to the original screw hole. If you simply pivot the bracket on it's one mounted bolt so that the screw hole in the bracket is at 4:45 to the original hole, you'll be close. Using a drill bit, nail set, whatever, mark that spot. Take the top left mounting bolt out and set the bracket aside for a bit.

7. Since the bracket bolts are self-tapping, I used a 1/8" drill bit. It's on an angle, so a smaller pilot hole works well. I also made a little starter for the pilot hole with my nail set. The drilling is a bit of a pain here, but with patience you should be fine.

8. Mount the bracket again, start with a real loose "catch" with the top left bolt, then get the other bolt started in the hole you just drilled. I had to bend the flange of the bracket a bit, you'll see why when you get going. Snug up both bolts, you'll find the bracket is nice and secure with only the two bolts.

9. Time to connect the cables. Make sure the cartridge is in the Phatnoise. If you did it right, you should see the red and green lights flash after a few seconds. Test with your radio - switch to the cd changer input and you should hear "Welcome to the Phatnoise music System". (note, I kept my Bipes adapter inline just in case I decide to add an XM radio)

10. Tidy up the cables with zip ties, there is also a flange on the bottom of the bracket that I bent in a bit because it looked like it might get in the way of one of the side panel clips.

11. Replace the side panel. With any luck, you have the right side of your Phatnoise low enought and everything fits nice. Otherwise, remove the panel, pull out the bracket (leave the cable attached), drill a new hole and try again.

12. Since I had the back seat out, I cleaned and conditioned the leather, vacuumed everything, etc.

13. Replace the seats and enjoy Phatnoise!

 

Wow, nice job and write up.

 

phatnoise!

 

I did this almost exatly how you did two months ago!

 

<ul><li><a href="http://www.phathack.com/">http://www.phathack.com/</a></li></ul>

 

thank you! (bookmarked)

 

cool, thanks! When you can, plz post how you like your Phatbox. Enjoy!!!

 

and a co-worker recently installed one in his coupe - very helpful (thanks for taking my phone call Peter)

I didn't want to hassle with taking the support/brace out though....

 

First of all, thanks to all who posted their phatnoise install writeups. Without them I don't think I would have attempted my own.

I just want to expand on couple of points that I think will be helpfull to others.

First, rear seat pin removal. Just like everybody else I had trouble finding a 17mm socket deep enough to accept the pin. I finally bought one in Sears. It didn't fit at first but I expanded second section of the socket with Dremel and after a lot of sanding, it fit. See picture #1.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/97453/pict0001.jpg">

Second, bracket modification and mounting. I just couldn't bring myself to drilling a hole in my TT. It just felt wrong. So I cut off part of the bracket that holds cd changer cable and modified it with Dremel to allow me to use existing hole. Make sure to measure everything. Mounting with phatbox assembled is a pain, but it is possible, just don't drop the wrench.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/97453/pict0002.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/97453/pict0003.jpg">


Third, foamite modification. As it was mentioned in other writeups, you have to cut a section in fomite to allow for phatbox's cable. Here how I have done it. I used drill and some woodworking tools.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/97453/pict0004.jpg">


Cheers!

 

Where can I find BASTTiON's fotki?