Okay! My iPod install is 90% done... basically all of it is done except the cleaning up and rerouting of the cables. I always find myself so excited to finish the project that I cut a few corners on the "tedious" stuff.

Anyhow, here's the details.

What is an Apple iPod?
Before we get started, let me begin with what an iPod is.



It is a 5GB portable MP3 player that holds an about 1,000 songs within a mini hard drive. Without getting into it too much, the beauty of an iPod is in it's small size, 10hr battery, very fast firewire connection, large amount of storage space, and simple to use interface. I've owned just about every other MP3 player out there and nothing matches the iPod... trust me on this one. You can find out more about it at Apple's website.

I don't use a Mac and have been using it very successfully with a Windows 2000 PC and Ephpod. You can find out more about using an iPod with a PC at Ephpod's website. I've tried Mediafour's XPlay software, but Ephpod works MUCH better.

Anyhow, I have about 900 songs in my iPod now and it's not completely full yet. I encode most of my MP3s at 192kbps, but some of my favorite stuff, I encode at 256kbps for better sound quality.

How did you get connect the iPod to the factory stereo?

I followed the recommendation of a forum member and purchased the AUX input adapter from Autotoys for $65.



This yellow adapter basically plugs into where the factory CD changer is supposed to go. It fools the factory headunit into thinking that there is a CD changer attached and sneaks in any line level input through it's RCA jacks. I plugged in a 12' RCA to stereo-mini jack so that I could plug it into my iPod in the front center console.

The cable runs from the back of the trunk... along the driver side of the trunk... out near the hinge where the driver's side back seat flips down... underneath the plastic door molding... underneath the drivers seat... to the center console.

How did you mount the iPod?

The iPod was mounted using a universal adapter for holding cell phones. I purchased this from everythingipod.com but you can find these everywhere. It fits the iPod perfectly. I mounted it onto the cupholder in the center console (2001 and no nav) using a couple screws. When lease turnin time comes, I can just replace the cupholder if necessary... no holes drilled into center console.


The black leather cover helps conceal the iPod.




The coiled cable is for my handsfree phone kit.



Anyhow, needless to say, I'm VERY happy with the results. I finally have an awesome MP3 solution for the car. Here's what I love about it most.

- over 900 songs at my disposal at all times.
- between 8 to 10 hours battery life from the iPod
- very clean AUX input yields high sound quality
- didn't lose any stereo functionality (like steering wheel controls or indash CD)
- relatively low cost investment
- clean install, no nasty cassette adapters

PS... For those of you with a CD changer already, you can do a custom install with an A/B switch, but I would recommend selling your CD changer on eBay and putting the $$$ towards the iPod. Why would you ever want to listen to 1 of 6 CDs when you can have 100's on your iPod? And you always have your indash CD player too!

PSS... Yes I thought about Phatnoise but it just costs too much and I'm not sure about the longevity of the product for OEM applications. They seem to be focusing more on Kenwood and the aftermarket. I also like the ability to take my iPod with me into work, on bike rides, wherever I go.