Yay, just installed iPod in my ride! PICS & DIY now!
 

I just wanted to share my joy with everyone. Man, like everyone that's done this mod, this definitely is the best mod ever. I absolutely love it and the install was so easy (drill hole in money holder, run rca's through center console to hu, velcro iPod to money holder and connect rca's, that's it). I'll post pics and details (I had to get an IP-Bus to RCA converter for my Pioneer HU though) later, I was just too excited to do that now (and tired and lazy too ;P) Anyways, just thought I'd share...

congrats.

you should make a DIY... would this work with any mp3 player?

sounds like something to consider...

Yup, it will work w/ any mp3 player, plus almost all HU's these days have CD changer inputs that can be converted to rca's. I'll make a detailed DIY w/ pics when I get my digital camera back next week.

I will post the DIY later, but here's some pics of the finished product...

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._placement.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._HUdisplay.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid...attachment.JPG

NorrinRadd: looks sweet!!

Thanks Falken!!

Post DIY soon interested in doing this

looks awesome
great job

Alright, here's the DIY to get an iPod (or any MP3 player w/ headphone inputs) in your ride w/ a HU that has an auxiliary input (CD changer input or any additional audio input that has a converter part option for rca's)...

Parts:
1) iPod preferably or any portable MP3 player
2) A HU w/ an auxiliary audio input (also could be CD Changer input)
3) An RCA converter (I have the cd-rb10 for Pioneer decks) for your aux/cd changer input
4) Headphone to RCA Y cable (I have a Monster brand that you can buy at an Apple Store)
5) Velcro strips

Tools:
1) Power drill w/ at least a 1/4" drill bit and few smaller sized ones
2) Exacto knife
3) Colored pencil (white if you have or just a regular pencil)


iPod install DIY:

1) You don't need to take your entire center console out. Just pull top part of the center console in the rear up from the back via the opened compartment like the pic below...

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_1.JPG

2) Next (assumes you'll be placing your iPod/MP3 in the money compartment in the center console, I also have a 2001 vic) test fit your iPod to see where you need to drill. I don't have exact measurements, just look at the pics below for reference on general placement. The best thing to do is place the iPod where you want it and eyeball where the hole should be drilled (keep in mind to account for the velcro thickness, about 2 mil). Once located, use a colored pencil to mark the spot and drill about a 1/4" sized hole. The size depends on how thick your RCA's are. Mine required a hole slightly larger than 1/4" and I had to take off the plastic cover on the headphone connector of the Y cable to fit the hole. Afterwards just use an exacto knife to clean the hole up a bit.

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_2.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_3.JPG

3) Next take out the HU holder (pull from the bottom up to avoid losing your clips) and look in the back of your HU for an aux/cd changer input. Then connect your RCA converter to the aux input like in the pic below.

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_4.JPG

4) Now connect your headphone to RCA Y cable, the RCA's part of course to the RCA converter like the pic.

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_5.JPG

5) You will now need to snake your RCA Y cable from your HU to your center console's rear like in the pics below. Note, the first pic is key as it is a hole that you can first start snaking the Y cable down to the start of the center console as depicted in the 2nd pic (before seeing the cable in the 2nd pic you'll need to pull it down from behind and a little above the center console, just feel around when snaking from the top as in the first pic).

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_6.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_7.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_8.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._DIY_PIC_9.JPG

6) Next, place the headphone part of the Y cable you just snaked into the hole of the top/rear part of the center console (in the money holder) like the pic below.

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid...DIY_PIC_10.JPG

7) Now place a couple strips of velcro on the bottom part of your iPod/MP3.

8) Lastly, put everything back together, connect the headphone to RCA Y cable to your iPod, place your iPod in the money holder of the center console, and you should have an iPod/MP3 in your ride like these pics...

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid...attachment.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._placement.JPG

http://www.7thgencivic.com/memberrid..._HUdisplay.JPG


That's it :clap: If any of you still need help, feel free to PM me and I'll be glad to help you out.

awesome diy.

I gotta do this with my pod. Can you list where you got those parts?

Ok so maybe I am slow nut what does the iPOD do?

iPod is a portable MP3 player from apple. I installed it in my ride so I don't have to worry about lugging/fiddling w/ cd's in my car or even changing them out of bulky cd changers.

oh ok cool

Thanks, I'm not sure which parts you're referring to, but I'll guess their these...

1) Aux audio input RCA converter - This is a proprietary part that is manufacturer specific (Pioneer, Honda, Clarion, etc.) and only needed if your aux input isn't rca's to begin with. I got mine from Crutchfield.com. So depending on your HU, you can get them straight from the manufacturer or some online store that carries them. They usually cost anywhere from $10 to $50 (mine's was $40 w/ shipping).

2) Headphone to RCA Y cable - I got mine (Monster Brand) from the Apple Store, but you can get them from Radio Shack, Fry's Electronics, or any other electronics store. Since mine were Monsters they cost $30, but you can get them from Radio Shack for like $5 or $7 I think.

...if no, just list them specifically, thanks.

yeah that was it, thanks :)

thats tight dog. u have like 1000 disc cd changer rite there hahahaha

You're welcome, glad I could help.

I know, I've already put my entire cd collection and MP3 collection on the iPod and still have 2/3 space left. Way cool!!! :cool:

this is a newb question but...do you have to have a mac to transfer songs onto the iPod...or can you just use any PC

I have the newest iPod. It supports PC and Mac, but for the PC you just need firewire to use it out of the box. If you have USB 1.1 or 2.0 you'll need to by a firewire to usb converter first before use. I suggest using either firewire or usb 2.0 as you can transfer data much faster.

wait if you store a movie on the ipod could you play it through the screen

Nope, iPod doesn't have video outputs or accessories (via firewire) for it to my knowledge.

Any thoughts on where to put it in a 2K3 model, with the armrest? Will it fit in the cell phone (?) holder to the left of the steering wheel?

Hmmm, not sure, I'll have to take a look at the '03/'04 interiors more closely. Doesn't really matter though as you can buy mounting brackets to mount it anywhere (cup holders, dash, windshield, etc.) and just run the wires (extended, if needed) to it.

newbie question...does the stock headunit have a auxilary audio input? just curious cause i won't have the funds to buy an mp3 player and hu at the same time.

pretty creative diy btw, i'm sure all my friends will be amazed once i get this done, heh :_beer:

Yes, it has an aux input for a cd changer, but you will need cd changer controls connected to the stock HU to get it to work I believe. I haven't tried it though, but I got this to work on my gf's '04 Corolla's stock HU that came w/ cd changer controls, but no cd changer itself (on the Toyota's it won't work w/ out the cd changer controls since you need to change to the aux input and a stock HU only has CD/Radio input button options).

DUDE! thanks for your help NorrinRadd

i'm going to get started on this soon. thank you!

^^

No problem, just let me know if you have any questions and I'll be glad to help.

that is the best ipod install I've seen.

I got my IPOD on saturday for my birthday ( i barely knew what one was before, now i'm in love with it! ). anyway, the screen is already REALLY scratched up. it's pathetic. pathetically scratched. what i mean by that is there are tons of scratches and it's only 2 days old. i'm going to frys to buy the parts for the DIY and some clear film paper to put over the already ruined screen, but i'm just wondering if there are any ways to rid of the scratches of any good holders anyone knows about. thanks!