I'm expecting the aux port and parcel shelf (from Classic MINI in Ohio: got 20% off for NAM membership) any day now.

Has anyone installed the aux connector to the back of the radio without removing the head unit? I.e. can one reach behind and do it by feel (without bending any pins)?

 

Remove the knee bolster of course then you should be able to just reach behind it and pop it in. No tools required. In fact my parcel shelf doesn't line up to screw in and sits so snuggly I just have it pressure fitted in place.

Edit - If you have Navi like some of us there is a thread around with instructions on how to overcome moving the wires individually.

 

yup....snaps right in and then the HU will recognize that it is there...no need to remove HU or the down tubes...done by feel.....afterwards, access by the 'mode' button....when I removed the knee bolster under the steering wheel while I was installing the parcel shelf, made it easier to see/feel what was going on in the back of the HU

I installed the jack into the back of the parcel shelf, but the guage of the shelf's plastic was too thick to have the jack with the threads poking through enough for the retaining nut and still have the 'aux input' faceplate so I left the faceplate off....but now have 2 little holes where I had drilled for the faceplate screws but way in back so nobody can see the holes

 

I found the small plastic in front of the cup holders and power source (under the toggles) perfect to put the aux port in. Buy a 1' male-male stereo cord, drop your ipod in the cup holder and you're all set.

 

If you have Nav, you do need to remove the radio and transfer some wires between connectors.

 

Not neccessarily true. I did this as well without removing the head unit. Just unplugged the Nav behind the head unit and transferred the wires behind the knee bolster. It would have been easier/more comfortable to do if the head unit was removed, but not neccessary.

 

Meh...it really is just a lot easier to remove the head unit. I am not sure why the method of reaching behind is so popular - I could hardly get my hand back there. All you have to do is remove the 4 torx screws, and push the downtubes out of the way, and then remove the two torx screws that hold the headunit in place. Oh well...to each their own I guess.

 

A good thing about doing the install without removing the head unit is that it may take a few minutes to figure out what you are feeling at first, but after the first time you can honestly do the instal for others in a minute or two.

 

i was able to plug in my aux cable without removing the knee bolster. it was a bit of a stretch, but i could do it (and im not all that skinny either)

 

So You guys are saying paying 200 dollars to my dealer to install this is not necessarry. thank you. I am picking up my Hot orange convertible s tomorrow in time for the weekend.

 

Paying $200 to your dealership for the AUX install is silly. They will be laughing all the way to the bank. Personally, I think paying the dealership to install ANYTHING is silly. It is much more fun spending time with your MINI and learning how to do it yourself ...then again I am more of the hands on type .