Update on VW PhatBox install in A8

[jbarnhart]

I've received my VW PhatBox and it seems to be the same as our Audi model, but with a VW connecting cable instead of the Audi one.

The necessary Audi cable has a separate part number and can be bought from the dealer -- except its on "national backorder" and there are none available! :-( I whined and complained and I think PhatNoise is sending me one in the mail.

Playing around with the installation, I have discovered that it is exactly the same size as the factory CD changer, but the mounting holes are drilled in the wrong location. I want to mount the box in the same spot as the current changer, so that the install appears seamless. There's just one "rub" remaining...

Playing with the VW cable and box mounting, I see that the PhatBox will need too much clearance to the rear of the box. The cable assembly sticks out the back by a good 2 inches! If I mount the PhatBox far enough forward to clear the back cable, the trunk panel that covers up the stereo won't fit because the PhatBox disk cartridge sticks out too far.

So it looks like I'm gonna have to make my own cable after all. The connector on the PhatBox is a male 26-pin 3M MDR connector. The other end is a female 13-pin DIN connector.

After I get my official Audi cable, I'm going to ohm it out and make my own from a ribbon-style 3M MDR connector. The ribbon connector will come out at right angles and provide the clearance I need on the back of the PhatBox. I'll post the pinout when I get it made. Stay "tuned" for the next "installment"...

[mister dr]

The install in my '01 S8 went pretty smoothly, and it goes right in the original CD changer location. I did have to drill a couple of new holes in the CD changer bracket, but the cable fits just fine and there's plenty of room to get the DMS (hard drive) in and out with ease.

[jbarnhart]

Ooooh.. Yours is NICE. Wish mine was mounted that way! In my car, the PhatBox "faces" the removable panel and the back is towards the rear quarter panel. It's in a stack with the nav system on top and the CD changer on the bottom. I'll post some pics when I find a site that'll host them!

[escapA8]

• http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/add.phtml

[jbarnhart]

I never saw a forum that would host pics before! I like this place. Pics later tonite when I get home.

[jbarnhart]

Here is the problem I'm dealing with. The CD changer is in the trunk, stacked with the Nav electronics and cellphone electronics. Here is a pic:



The problem occurs because the cable in the "back" of the PhatBox comes straight out and has no room to bend. The PhatBox sticks out too far for the cover panel to close. Below, on the left is the PhatBox with the cable attached. On the right I have detached the cable and moved the PhatBox back far enough to clear the cover:



Newsflash!!!

I got my Audi cable today and hooked it up. Wow! This PhatBox sounds... well... PHAT!!! All I need is a right-angle cable and I'm all set.

[JimR]

Vertical bracket, fore-and-aft, CD changer on the front side, silver box on the back side is the electronics for the factory-option analog cell phone.



Here's the same area, with my Pioneer 903 XM electronics replacing the useless analog cellphone gear.

[daphne]

The DMS sticks out the same way:


I pushed back the unit as far as possible. I even took out some of the insulation in the back of the compartment, but I still could not get the clearance. So, I decided to do a small mod to the compartment cover.

I cut out the cardboard backing (but not the carpet) to create a DMS cartridge slot in the cover. A little duct tape reinforces the slot.


The result? Looks perfect.

[PaulW]

[mister dr]

I bought a beta-version Phatbox a few years ago, and had all kinds of trouble trying to fit it into our A4 Avant. I ended up fabricating a wood-and-metal sled bracket that holds the Phatbox at a 45-degree angle (tilted up) and slides in and out of the compartment so you can take the DMS out. I didn't have to modify the compartment cover, and the DMS doesn't aim into the cargo area (important factors when our rambunctious dogs are in the back!)

If you track this thread (click on the 'tt' link to the right -- or DON'T click the 'ut' link, depending on your Audiworld preference set-up), I'll try to post some pictures in the next few days and show you the bracket I made.

Good luck with the right-angle cable. Keep us posted and let us know if you're successful. I'm sure lots of people would like to be able to make one, too.