Hi all, I searched but am coming up nil. I have just gotten a convertible JCW and with the location of the AUX inputs being out in the open, having my ipod sitting there all the time invites someone to cut the top. I leave my ipod in the car 100% of the time so I'd like to relocate it. How hard and what is needed to relocate the inputs to either the secret compartment, glove box or arm rest?

Is there an official wiring kit someone can point me to on real oem or the like?

Many thanks in advance. I'll document the process and post back in case others want to do the same.

Cheers.

 

There is No OEM Kit to relocate to the Secret Compartment or the Arm Rest.

You can however use an extension cable and run it behind the dash panels up to the Secret Compartment. or under the center console plastics and up to the arm rest.

There is a thread here on how someone modified the back side of the USB/AUX connector and wired it up to the Secret Compartment.

Here is one on how someone did an iPhone in the Arm rest. Basically the same as a iPod would be
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-armrest.html

 

I too was dissatisfied with the location of the AUX/iPod port in the car. I realize that most automakers will put these ports close to the radio for simplicity's sake, but personally I didn't like the idea of cluttering up my center console with cables and an iPod I will never need to touch, let alone leaving my $250 investment sitting there for everyone to see when I leave the car.

Hence:


However, I must note that there are pros and cons to doing this:

The Good:
1. When the secret compartment is closed, you can stash a 60/120/whatever GB iPod in there and never need to fuss with it until you need to add/remove music. Everything works through the stereo and you get a nice clean look. I've had people ask me "Where is your music coming from?" after they look around the cabin/glove box and can't find my iPod.
2. Security. Your interior looks all but empty with this setup. No one can tell you have an iPod/iPhone/whatever in the car.

The Bad:
1. Relocating this cable was HARD. I mean effing hard! I had cuts and scrapes all over my hands, the cable was barely long enough to reach from its stock location to the glove box, and required me to take apart almost the entire dash (all the way over to the driver's side air vent) to remove the parts necessary to re-route the wire.
2. Once you do this, it will be difficult if not impossible to undo it. The plastic module with the USB and mini ports on it (pictured above) is secured in such a way that you cannot remove the secret compartment enclosure once this is set up without damaging the module or the connector on the wire. Plugging everything in the first time required needle nose pliers.
3. Connecting/disconnecting the Y-adapter is tedious. Luckily, you will rarely if ever have to do this. In 2 years, I think I have unplugged that cable twice. If you use an Apple device on the regular, you'll only ever need to interact with the 30-pin side of the Y-cable, so it doesn't matter much.

 

OUCH. that was something along the lines of what I was thinking. Hmmm... may have to do a half-*** version. Am thinking I can run a 30 pin extension from the Y cable, and run the extension up the dash into the secret box. That may make life a little easier and then I can recess the aux in side of the equation.

Thanks for sharing!

 

you could just pop the usb/aux panel out and stash it behind the dash and run an extension usb and 3.5mm audio cable to the cubby

 

I have always had an iPod plugged into the Y cable from day one. I route the cable down and have my iPod in the net on the passenger side. The iPod has a back case on it. Nobody can even tell that its there.

Not really a problem.

 

That is an absolutely beautiful install. I'm going to attempt a similar install, however via extension cable rather than relocation of existing ports.