Stealth Harmon Kardon Ipod Interface Install

[stroked347]

The drive and play 2 from Harmon Kardon is a great solution for people who want a larger display and easier accessability to their songs (quicker scrolling, better 'jump to' options)

I picked one up and figured I'd do the same install zerothread/230835 as Bag302 did, only w/ the newer drive and play.

*The screen for the DP2 is larger and will therefore require some cutting of the ashtray. Because of this, I bought a spare ashtray off of ebay for $50. They're about $400 new, so I didn't want to carve up the original w/out having a replacement

**This project also sacrifices the ashtray and ashtray cigarette lighter for the DP2 screen.

***Special thanks to Bag302 and Boon for their install instructions

The following details the install:

Remove the console trim, cupholder, and ashtray. There are plenty of write-ups detailing how to do this. The ashtray will be connected to a wiring harness (for the cigarette lighter). Just undo the harness and it should come loose.

Once the ashtray is removed, undo the screw on the bottom of the ashtray that holds the wood trim on the front and remove the trim. This will need to be out of the way to allow for easier cutting and to prevent it from being damaged.



The rear shield is then removed (and will not be put back on due to the needed clearance for the DP2 screen) There are two screws on the back that need to be undone and it will then come unhooked.



Remove the cigarette lighter socket and cut the wire that runs from the harness to the lighter. This is where the DP2 is hardwired in later.

Pry the ashtray housing sides, at the hinge points, to remove the inner, fold-down, part of the ashtray.



Next comes the cutting of the ashtray. I just traced the screen and made templates which I layed across the ashtray before cutting. Using a dremel, cut and test fit the screen until it is well seated. Then drill a hole in the rear of the ashtray for the screen cable.



Now reassemble the ashtray and make sure the screen will fit, with the ashtray assembly closed and open. Apply the double sided tape, run the wire, plug in the screen, and attach the screen to the ashtray w/ the tape.



The dp2 comes w/ a hardwire power option or a plug in cig. lighter adapter. I hardwired the dp2 into the cigarette lighter harness. Now hook up the Harmon Kardon unit.



I zip tied all the excess wires and tucked them behind the ashtray. This left only 1 wire to run to the glove box (ipod hookup). I drilled a hole in the console to run the ipod wire through. This wire will both send the ipod signal and charge the unit.



Reassemble the console, ashtray and trim and you have a stealth ipod interface.



On a side note, while doing this install, I also pulled the tape deck and did Boon's 'Advanced Ipod Integration Install'. I can say first hand that it makes a HUGE difference in the sound quality and only took an hour to do.

I figured while I was at it, I'd post a few pics of my 03 M45. I've had it exactly 2 years today, no mods, except tint and the interior mods. The pics were taken right after I applied Zaino. Figured I'd try it out and all I can say is wow....the stuff beats anything else I've ever tried.

[mahmudb]

Nice clean install! Looks really good. Also the ride looks great!

[Bag302]

Very nice install!! How do you like the DP2?

[Boon]

Great Job Stroked, very clean and looks great!!!

[szh]

Another great writeup!! Good job, guys.

Z

[szh]

Quote »The pics were taken right after I applied Zaino. Figured I'd try it out and all I can say is wow....the stuff beats anything else I've ever tried.[/quote]Yup!

Sorry for the threadjack, but ...

Zaino takes some work, but once you get it done, the results are spectacular. No traditional "wax" will ever get close to Zaino results. And the effect lasts for a long time ... I applied it to my wife's car about 5 years ago, and it took about 4 years before I decided to do it again.

Z

[stroked347]

Very nice install!! How do you like the DP2?

The DP2 is great. The wireless control knob functions very well and it has some neat features. (for ex. if listening via shuffle mode and a song or artist that you want to hear more of comes on - just hold down the top button and you can jump to that artist, album, etc.) just one of the cool features.

It's also supposed to display the album art but have yet to see it happen. I might need an update or my large cache of songs makes it hard to process. The lcd display screen makes song searching on the road a lot easier and safer.

[stroked347]

Yup!

Sorry for the threadjack, but ...

Zaino takes some work, but once you get it done, the results are spectacular. No traditional "wax" will ever get close to Zaino results. And the effect lasts for a long time ... I applied it to my wife's car about 5 years ago, and it took about 4 years before I decided to do it again.

Z

Definitely! I was most amazed by how far such a small amount of Zaino will go. Each coat took less than an ounce. Truly remarkable stuff

[szh]

Your car looks like mine ... down to the front license plate holes in the bumper! Although, I only have one set of holes there.

Z

[stroked347]

Your car looks like mine ... down to the front license plate holes in the bumper! Although, I only have one set of holes there.

Z

Yeh, i wish they would have done something w/ the front license plate...everything else on the car flows great. If only I had the free cash to throw down on a body kit

[Boon]

You could always throw a infiniti plate on the front. I normally hate these but its way better then the holes IMO. Not that your guys holes look bad. Ok this could be grossly misinterpreted so I'm just gonna stop. Here is a Pic....................

[stroked347]

i actually really like that look. Love the black M by the way...was my first choice, but they were hard to find at the time (and i'm impatient).

I'd throw the infiniti plate on front in a heartbeat but Virginia requires both front and rear license plates....

[Boon]

Yea its not that bad. I am going to try to find one with a black backround with just the logo in chrome, or if I can find one that is all black chrome that would be cool. I will see. It just stands out a bit much for my liking on the black car.

Stupid Virginia haha.

[szh]

You could always throw a infiniti plate on the front. I normally hate these but its way better then the holes IMO. Not that your guys holes look bad. Ok this could be grossly misinterpreted so I'm just gonna stop. Here is a Pic....................

In my case, I actually need to put the front plate back on ... California requires them, but I got backed into (no damage, luckily) and the plastic screw holder broke. I got new ones, but have just been lazy putting the license plate back on.

Z

[e319960]

I saw this stealth intall and I'm thinking of doing the same thing - but with an aftermarket GPS.

Any advise?

[Boon]

I saw this stealth intall and I'm thinking of doing the same thing - but with an aftermarket GPS.

Any advise?

The only thing I would say while doing this with a GPS unit is in order to save the normal cable for the GPS unit and not have to cut it to splice into the power, go to an auto parts store and buy a cigarette y splitter like this http://www.deerso.com/Vector-C....aspx

That way you can just cut one of the plugs off and hardwire that in so you do not have to cut into the GPS plug, much nicer if you decide you do want to reuse it elsewhere.

Good Luck!