Homemade iPod Mount

[ctrlaltcoupe]

I came up with the conclusion that the best place to mount the iPod would be right near the AUX IN jack, so that the least amount of wire would be shown, and also that is a decent location for seeing the display and using the controls. I found an L-shaped mounting bracket that I could have mounted just to the right of the center-panel, but did not want to have a permanent bracket hanging there when my iPod wasn't in it.

I searched for a commercially made mounting bracket that would mount directly to the AUX IN jack, but could not find anything. So I made a homemade mount. I bought a $5 1-foot long audio cable from Radio Shack and wrapped it around the belt clip that came with my ipod Mini. I used a mini binder clip around the end of the cable, because it was too flexible and was causing undesired movement. Then I used a twist-tie to tie the binder clip to the hole in the belt clip. It is important to make sure that the end of the audio cable is as close to centered as possible, or else the center-of-gravity will cause the iPod to be mounted crooked. (The tip of the cable will spin around in the AUX IN jack.)

This works for my iPod Mini, and I imagine it would work for the Nano also, you would just need to buy some type of case for it. Not sure if this would work for the larger iPods, as they might be too heavy.

Here are some pics of my setup...

[bundy26]

Change the factory radio for one that has an ipod interface so you could leave it in the glovebox.

[generic808]

Haha nice! I never thought of something like that. It looks pretty clean. Unfortunately for me, I have a 30GB video so I think the weight may be an issue. I'll probably try to hook it up just to see if it works. It may put a little too much stress on the jack with all that weight though.

[niltiac2141]

Wow, very nice! I have a mini too. Does it stick out far enough that you can still get to the temp control behind the iPod?

[ctrlaltcoupe]

Change the factory radio for one that has an ipod interface so you could leave it in the glovebox.

You will notice... that it doesn't look to feasible to change out the factory radio, it is pretty much built right into the center panel. Also, you would never get a perfect flush fit, and you would also lose the steering wheel audio controls.

[ctrlaltcoupe]

Wow, very nice! I have a mini too. Does it stick out far enough that you can still get to the temp control behind the iPod?

There seems to be enough space. You might bump the iPod a little, but you would just have to use the left side of the temperature control to spin it.

[bundy26]

I`m sorry ,you didn`t have to get angry, just a suggestion,I would have customized a center console ,that`s me I love to take apart stuff.

[bembol]

Nice! I was personally thinking of using Velcro. LOL

I also have the 30GB iPod Movie and don't think I'll bother, I want to keep my 3.5 SE Coupe clean.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

You will notice... that it doesn't look to feasible to change out the factory radio, it is pretty much built right into the center panel. Also, you would never get a perfect flush fit, and you would also lose the steering wheel audio controls.

There is a girl on cardomain that has an aftermarket flush mounted radio in her Altima. So yes it is possible to change out the radio. I believe her setup has been posted on this forum - do a search if interested.

It may be a bit overkill to do this just for the IPOD connection. May be a better option for someone who has the base radio.

[mikemart]

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2849878

This is the car Cali is talking about. Looks like a pretty nice setup.

[generic808]

That dash of hers doesn't look clean at all. The edge of the kit doesn't sit properly with the rest of the dash. If you're going to install an aftermarket head-unit, METRA is a must. I've seen their 07 Altima dash kit with a full-din DVD/NAV and it looks like it came straight from the factory.

[Icculus]

You will notice... that it doesn't look to feasible to change out the factory radio, it is pretty much built right into the center panel. Also, you would never get a perfect flush fit, and you would also lose the steering wheel audio controls.

Hmmmm... I have a perfect flush fit in my coupe and still use the steering wheel controls. " TARGET="_blank">http://www.altimacoupes.com/fo...223

[ctrlaltcoupe]

Sorry everyone...

The purpose of my original post was to share my idea of an inexpensive and creative way to mount an iPod to the factory stereo. Obviously putting in a whole new non-factory stereo is an option. Sometimes you may get a flush fit, and sometimes you will not. With some non-factory stereos, you may loose the steering wheel controls, and I guess some must have a hookup for that.

IMO, the factory stereo's sound quality is good enough for my needs, and it looks better aesthetically than most non-factory stereo installations I have seen.

[LongBeachCoupe]

"Looks better" until you rubberband an ipod to the front of it lol..

to each his own..

[Cali 2 Balti G]

No

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2849878

This is the car Cali is talking about. Looks like a pretty nice setup.

MikemartNo that was not the car I was talking about. The car I was talking about is below.



This setup is touch screen and looks pretty clean - but again I'm not sure how the Altima options go but this set up is gonna cost - I'm gonna guess a grand or so - so I would think this would be more of an option for someone who has a base stock radio.

[mikemart]

No

MikemartNo that was not the car I was talking about. .

You're right!! That one is even sweeter!

[Icculus]

Sorry everyone...

The purpose of my original post was to share my idea of an inexpensive and creative way to mount an iPod to the factory stereo. Obviously putting in a whole new non-factory stereo is an option. Sometimes you may get a flush fit, and sometimes you will not. With some non-factory stereos, you may loose the steering wheel controls, and I guess some must have a hookup for that.

IMO, the factory stereo's sound quality is good enough for my needs, and it looks better aesthetically than most non-factory stereo installations I have seen.

That's all fine and good... my point was that what you had originally said was not right and I wanted to clear that up for you. I have a Pioneer d3 installed (same one as that picture above) and it sits flush and retained the use of the steering wheel controls.

[ctrlaltcoupe]

Here's the deluxe model...

[generic808]

hahahah deluxe model!!! Hmm...seems someone was busy So where did you get that metal bracket from?

[ctrlaltcoupe]

hahahah deluxe model!!! Hmm...seems someone was busy So where did you get that metal bracket from?

Yeah, my original model was not sturdy enough.

The bracket is from the hardware aisle at Lowe's. It was about $4 for a 4-pack of them. They didn't have them in single packs.

[bembol]

LOL Nice!

What's missing is iPod Remote! I'm looking for one right now...

I'll see what I can do with this. Apple just released it.

[Vhernandez919]

With time I plan to change my stock radio with a after market Navigation as well. It's a LOT Cheaper then going through the dealership. The Pioneer D3 Which is shown (In dash) Is cool, the only down fall to this unit is you cannot listen to a cd and use the navigation at the same time, In order to use the navigation you must have the Nav. CD in which sort of a hassle. But it is a good unit over all, My B/F just put one in his Truck. And as far as working at a Car audio shop, I will say we do use Metra Kits.

[Seraph321]

People always talk about how it's great to control the ipod via those built-in ipod adapters, but they never seem to mention that you always lose the ability to do certain things. Most of them just let you browse playlists or randomly play the whole ipod. I like to rate songs as they are played so I can build up lists of favorites, but I've NEVER seen a car interface that lets you do this. I'd rather just get a decent mount that let's you use the ipod directly.

[LongBeachCoupe]

check cardomain.. theres a girl with a white coupe.. shes got a 5dvd/cd changer in the massive glove box tied to the D3 flushmount

[Vhernandez919]

check cardomain.. theres a girl with a white coupe.. shes got a 5dvd/cd changer in the massive glove box tied to the D3 flushmount

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Different! I Dont think I would pick to do something like that though, I like my glove box space.

[bembol]

I picked up the new (3G) 4GB Nano over the weekend and found a spot on the Coupe for it.

[altimacoupeboi]

idk if it would fit in the altima coupes but in a car audio mag i saw they instaled a indash dvd navigation monitor in the lower storage flap under ac unit. looked pretty nicecuz my opion if ur gunna do it up above ur gunna need to do alot work to make it look really nice other wise its gunna look bad

[ctrlaltcoupe]

idk if it would fit in the altima coupes but in a car audio mag i saw they instaled a indash dvd navigation monitor in the lower storage flap under ac unit. looked pretty nicecuz my opion if ur gunna do it up above ur gunna need to do alot work to make it look really nice other wise its gunna look bad

The only problem with that is, it's not a good place to be looking while driving, it's too low.
Modified by ctrlaltcoupe at 2:44 PM 9/26/2007

[LongBeachCoupe]

lol... You have a cord hanging infront of your face! I guess a "flush mount" or any sort of mount isnt what you were looking for?