DoubleB

Well I am all done. It only took a few days. caused a few bloody knuckles but I finally have my IPOD hooked up into my car with both power and sound. Plus, there are no wires showing and it sounds pretty darn close to CD.

MY GOAL: to install my IPOD into my 99 A6 Avant without any wires showing at ALL! I wanted to mount it where I could see it and where I could access the control wheel.

POSITIVES: NO WIRES! It looks great and is certainly original. All you have to do to enjoy it is to plug the IPOD into the Apple Dock and you are on your way.

NEGATIVES: this was a huge pain that required lots of parts and time. I might have done too much, but hey, I learned. You loose the ability to close your ashtray but who cares. It installs infront of the HVAC controls but c'mon, I drove from VT to FL lastyear in winter and never changed a thing..

PARTS:
- Ipod Car charger with Dock Connector.
- Apple IPOD dock for IPODS with 30 pin connector.
- Blitzsafe Adaptor for behind the radio.
Assorted electricsl goodies for hardwiring to cigarette lighter and to make grounds
- soldering iron
- black enamel(optional)
- clear coat
- lots patience.

I started setting my install up a while ago. I figured the white IPOD dock would look goofy so I decided to paint it Black to match the interior of the car. I also did this to the custom bracket I made that sits atop the ashtray insert.

The ashtray was used as a platform. What I did was remove the sheetmetal trim that is on top my bending the tabs and pulling apart. I then used this as a template for creating my own top, with no holes, out of some aluminum sheet..having a band saw helped but was quite easy.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00026.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00028.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00027.jpg">

This was then reassemled after drying.

The next step was to fabricate a hardwirable power source for behind the dash.
Like I did on my IPAQ GPS install, I used the lighter adaptor designed for the IPOD. I disassembled it, and solder wired to the HOT wire and the GROUND. I reused the case to protect all of it.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00029.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00030.jpg">

Here is the essence of the system. NOTE the custom wire harness for adding power to the IPOD dock connector. Also notice the BLITZSAFE, and how it connects to the Black RCA cord and then into the IPOD dock for sound.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00031.jpg">


TIME to TACKLE The CAR.

Utilizing others post about dash removal, I ventured into removing the arm console, and the center console. This allows the most room to work and I highly recommend it. You also have to get the glove box off, but believe me, this is the easiest thing you will do all day. I hate wrestling with plastic so understand that I thought this was really hard. It might not be for you.

It was quite EZ to fabricate my own radio tools out of hanging file folder hangers. They worked well. The slanted ends on the left were used.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00032.jpg">

Once it was all taken apart, which I do not have the energy to discuss in detail, it was quite simple.
PLug the BLITZSAFE in following their ez instructions.
FIND place to ground - i chose to run the wire over to the metal brackets that support the glove box, just had to tap it with a drill and screw.
Dissasseble the ashtray and hardwire the power cord into the power for the cigarette lighter.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00033.jpg">

The hardest part was forcing all the stuff behind the dash. It took a lot of playing around. In fact, I spent a few hours just trying to reassemble. I finally got it right.

Do yourself a favor and test everything before you sew it back up again..

Unfortunately, it is now dark and this is the best pic I could take..but will send another tomorrow so you all can see my revised cockpit, complete with GPS(old thread) and 1013 songs(and growing)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/47769/dsc00035.jpg">
Thanks for reading.
BB

dougaross

Lookin' Good

TeddyBGame

Great write-up. Well done. Worthy of Stoney's links!

2.7tDallas

you rock dude! make sure and cross post to the audio forum

DoubleB

The sun is out and I am warm again. Stay tuned.

Bobby

PaulW

Very nice and unique too!

kenny (dremel)

not bad. about as functional as mine is though (not very).

Grapeking

Nice job, Bobby! Thanks for the great write-up.

DoubleB

what do you mean....seems to work pretty darn nice...with nothing in the way. That was my goal

texasQuattro

Using this Blitzsafe adapter can you still use your CD changer in the trunk? I am having trouble finding an option that will allow me to add an iPod and keep my changer.

thanks