I have a 2009 MC with the ipod wiring kit (plugs in in front of the shifter) and like to leave my ipod plugged into it all the time.

But I'm worried about people glancing in the window and seeing it sitting there in the little cubby.

Is there a slick way to hide this that I'm not aware of? What options do I have? The cable (audio/usb) that came with the car is so short I can't really put it elsewhere...

 

In the secret (converted to ipod) compartment.

 

If I've been understanding everything correctly - to hide it up in the secret compartment requires wiring it differently using some adapter to connect it to the backside of the head unit or something. And taking apart the dash.

I'm trying to find some simpler options, LOL.

 

I have the iPod in a black vinyl case. Can't see it from the outside when the iPod is in the compartment right under the iPod jacks. Though the iPod in the glove box was a better concept on the Gen1.

 

That's a good, cheap option. I think I have a sunglass pouch that might be perfect. And with the black interior (and my soon-to-be-tinted windows), it should be pretty hard to see from the outside.

thanks!

 

The mini dealer guy told me this: Ok so you have the usb/audio cable thingie option in your car right? Just grab a portable USB drive and put the songs/folders you want to listen to in the car onto it and connect it to your thing in the car, and voila! No thieves will think a little usb drive is valuable like an iPod. and You can use stereo controls to scroll through songs/artists and multi-function controls on your wheel; (he showed me).. and so therefore you don't have to hassle/worry about carrying the ipod in the car and you can just listen to the iPod elsewhere like at home/work/exercise/etc.


(well, i thought it was a nifty idea; just wanted to give another alternative to not having to worry about concealing your iPod)

 

Yeah, that's what I did... I'm very good at taking the dash apart now. The kit comes with the cable, adapter, and a smaller replacement insert (smaller because the adaptor bolts to the back of the insert. This leaves the compartment just the right size for an ipod and is a safe, secure spot. The integration is very nice, very easy to operate.

Installation is easy. Finding out after the fact that the dealer has to upgrade the ECU to activate it was not fun. They even wanted to charge me for the upgrade, though they did not say anything about the upgrade when I bought it.

 

That's true. My friend has an 08 model with the USB... he just put his music on a 16G flash drive. Can barely see it, yet has a ton of music on it.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I thought about doing that with an 8gig USB key I have handy. But I really prefer having my 120gig ipod and all my music at my fingertips.


Sounds slick. But wow - what a frustration about the ECU upgrade. That would **** me off!

 

120 gig, oh my You must have every song in history

 

Short of getting the ripoff iPod integration into the dash compartment, there really aren't a whole lot of options given the short Y-cable (seriously, what were they thinking when they made that cable so short???). It's either in the cupholder, under the jack, or in the little crevice behind the shifter/under the e-brake. Still trying to figure out what works best.

 

Yeah I know what you mean. At first, I was thinking I'd velcro it to the top of the cubby behind the aux/usb jack, but quickly found out that there's hardly any depth and height of that cubby and it wasn't an option.

I wonder what's behind that cubby? One might potentially cut a slot out of the back of it and slip the ipod in there out of sight...you'd just see the cables tucked under the jack and heading out sight.

But my cars too new to risk anything like that just yet.

 

LOL. Well - it's not full.

 

It is... shows complete song titles, artists, etc. Easy to navigate with the **** and the steering wheel controls. I really like the way the ipod works with it, and I too like my music. But, if I had to fork over the $530 quoted I would be using the AUX input.

As for the ECU upgrade, it did. 120 miles each way to dealer. During the car purchase, they quoted $530 installed. I said I could install it myself and got them down to $150 for the kit as part of the deal. Then they wanted to charge me 2 hours for the upgrade once I found out. I argued with them about it and got it down to an hour ($80+). However, once the tech flashed the ECU, he said they should've covered it and that he was going to charge it to sales. He gave me the keys and told me to enjoy the drive home. So, I left. Haven't heard from them since.

 

I got extension cables and put the iPod in the glovebox. The wires can be routed around the heater vent under the trim and be totally out of sight.

Then I trimmed the extension cables and soldered them into the y-adapter, so its a bit neater.

 

What and where on these extension cables, please?

 

USB extension cable (USB plug to USB socket), about 3ft would do (you might only find 6ft), Audio extension cable 1/8" stereo plug to socket, similar length. You should be able to find them at any good electronics store, I found them at Frys.

 

What format do the songs have to be in? It's not like you can do a "file/save as" operation in iTunes.

 

This is great, I didn't realize you could do this. I loaded a bunch of songs on an 8GB Flash Drive, stuck it into the USB Port and low and behold it plays, just like on the ipod. I love this, it let's me take just the stuff I want to listen to and change it out every so often.

 

How 'bout this? http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/G2.../InvDetail.cfm

I got one of these and my ipod rests sideways on the top of the shelf tucked up out of the way and not visible at all. Plus, you get to keep using the cubby for other stuff.

 

Hmm. I like this option. Any problems with stuff sliding on that shelf?

 

I leave mine plugged in and stored in the passenger cargo net. You can't see it from the outside unless you are staring pretty hard. Never a problem yet.

 

Secret compartment here, as well.

 

My Ipod is pretty much always plugged in too. I feel safe leaving it in while parked in my work parking lot, but almost anywhere else I take the precaution of unplugging it and stashing it in the glovebox or trunk. Kind of a hassle, but I'd be really P.O.'ed to find a window smashed just so someone could steal my Ipod. A lid covering the console cubby would be a nice addition on an interior redesign.

 

I have my iPod hookup in my glovebox, but I also have a taranchula puppet in the car that covers anything I may want to leave where your iPod connector is located.