A3 phatbox installed

[onuris]

Got a friend to help me install this today (well, he did most of the work). I originally planned on placing it in the trunk, but I think it works out great in the glove box.

If anyone's interested, I can write-up more about what was done for the install.

[Pretarion]

I noticed you cut the wings off of the Phatbox. Any other modifications to make it fit?
Also, is that the $119 VW Phatbox? What cables did you use?
Looks really good. I am undecided if I want this or to go Satellite.

[onuris]

Yes I used the VW one. I was fully expecting to have to order a 13-pin DIN used by Audi and do a resolder. But it turns out the car was prewired with a 12-pin male molex, which exactly fits the VW cable.

The hardest part was sawing off the wings. Took almost an hour. After that we filed it down a little to remove the rough edges. Also, the cd changer slot had a bunch of small fins at the bottom, I'm guessing to hold a changer in place. We first used a needle-nosed pliers to pry those off, but then later decided it would be faster and smoother to chisel them off (they're just plastic).

Now I'll just have to copy my CDs

[PDXA4]

[AdamC]

Great install! If you have time some quick instructions would be nice (wiring and such).

I like it there much more then in the trunk!

[GreenDice]

I second that.

Including part numbers would be great.

Does leaving it in the CD changer slot save the long $100 cable?

[qfrog@work]

and sounds like he used the vw cable which is square not round like the audi cable.

[onuris]

I ordered the VW kit from 1stvwparts for $129. I think I chose the Jetta one, but it shouldn't matter. [Updated: 1stvwparts is all sold-out of phatboxes. I've heard that the next cheapest is $160. Not sure from where though]

1. Remove the CD changer tray in the glove box. Just place your fingers on the bottom of the tray and pull.

2. At the back of the tray should be the cd changer cable.


3. It's a 12-pin female molex, like those found on VWs. This means that you do not need to buy an Audi adapter cable (13-pin DIN).

The cable that comes in the VW kit has a 12-pin male molex. Fits just right. I had a bit of trouble at first but then found that one of the pins in the VW cable was a bit crooked. A little jiggling got the connectors to work.

4. Optional I removed the entire glove box for my install, but in hindsight, I think we could have done it without removing the glove box. Removing the glove box does make it slightly easier to fit the phatbox later though. So if you decide to remove, the glovebox is held by several hex bolts. There are 3 inside the glove box, at the top, and about 6 at the outside-bottom of it. Also there is a side panel next to the door sill that is held by a couple of clips. Just carefully pop the panel off. Disconnect the molex connector that provides power for the glove box light and that's it.

5. [Updated: If you can't be bothered to spend time sawing off the wings, then just remove the case and mount completely without the case. Althought the case looks like a heatsink, it really isn't. If I had to do it all over again, I would still have removed the wings. But that's personal preference.]
Time to remove the wings of the phatbox. Use masking tape to protect parts of the PB, especially keeping metal filings out of the slots. We basically wrapped the entire unit, except for the wings. Secure the PB in a vice and start sawing. We used a hacksaw, and later switched to a jigsaw. Once done, take a metal file and smooth out the edges on the PB. I didn't take a picture at this point, but here's one of the 2 wings:


6. There are plastic "fins" (not sure the exact word) in the cd changer slot that get in the way of the PB.

We started using a pair of needle-nosed pliers to bend them and pull them off, but it took so long that we switched to using a chisel. If you're doing this with the glove box still in the car, be careful not to chisel through the slot itself.

7. After that, the PB can slide in the slot. A little wiggling will be needed to get it seated properly. Before doing this, you should consider how you want to secure it there. We used 2 screws at the back of the slot. But I've read about people in other car projects using velcro or 3M heavy-duty double-sided mounting tape on the bottom of the PB. You really just need to prevent the unit from shaking while driving.

8. Put in the cartridge, fire up the HU, configure the PB for "Audi symphony II with in-slot CD" as per the PB install notes.


And enjoy.

Oh yes, if you have a white A3...

Then it'll sound much better. To me it does anyway

PS> I need to give props to my friend Daniel for helping me with this install.

[GreenDice]

I guess I will pull out the CD changer tray to make sure the 12-pin female molex connector is there before ordering the parts. Thanks again for the notes.

[PDXA4]