I bought an IPOD about a month ago fully intending to develop a mount in the S2000 cupholder. I should finish it this weekend and will post install directions and photos for those interested.

The mount uses the standard IPOD dock and all the connections will be completely hidden. Basically, you open the cupholder lid, slip the IPOD onto the Dock, and you're ready to play music. Full functionality of the cupholder lid will be maintained and the IPOD will be powered thought the car electrics.

The IPOD will be connected into my sound system through an auxiliary source device connected to the headunit.

I decided the cupholder was the ideal place to mount the IPOD, since all the wiring could be hidden, it was easily reachable, and stealth when the cuphold door is closed (with the IPOD removed, or course).

This spells obselesence for my CD changer

Update: I basically have the assembly ready to install in the car. Here are some photos.

To start, it's best to remove the center console and take it inside to do the work.

First, the sides of the IPOD Dock have to be trimmed so it will fit properly into the cupholder. I used a bench grinder to remove the plastic down to the interior metal frame on both sides. The notch in the side of the Dock is for the wiring to my alarm system monitor, which will sit on the top of the back of the Dock when all is installed.



Second, to have the IPOD sit so that the controls potrude far enough from the cupholder to be easily accessible, some kind of supports have to be added for the Dock to sit on. I rigged supports out of .125 X .250 sytrene and glued them to the sides of the cupholder, as shown in the photo. This also makes a sturdy platform for the Dock.

The hole in the back of the cupholder is for the IPOD power and line out plugs.



Here's the same hole from under the cupholder. Clearance for the power and line out connections is barely enough but OK.



Here's the IPOD Dock set into place in the cupholder. In the final install, I will mount it with double stick tape so I can remove it, if need be, when I do any work under the console cover.



Here's the IPOD itself in place on the Dock. In case anyone is curious, the small dial is the on-off swith and sound volume control for my V1 detector.



Finally, here's a shot of the power and line-out connectors in place. The line out is a standard stereo jack that connects to an auxiliary input on my head unit (the input interface is in the trunk near the amp). BTW, since the clearance for a straight jack is inadequate, you need a right-angle jack. Since I couldn't find one at all the usual retail source, I jerry rigged one by bending the leads on a standard jack and using hot glue to seal it all up.



Here are severl photos of the installation in the car.





I went for a drive and have several comments.

First, with a heavy jacket on (it was about 45 degrees here when I went out with the top down) it' was easy to bump the IPOD with my right arm. Likewise, I had to adjust the angle of my arm for shifting. Also, in this position I couldn't see the IPOD screen, and I had to pull it out to choose songs or albums. That's OK because when I put it back in the dock, the selected song played.

I'll be using the IPOD this way on a leisurely cruise, but when I want to drive hard, it will come out and the cupholder cover will be closed. For now, this serves my purposes, since the IPOD nows go with me just about everywhere I travel.

 

Awesome. I'm interested in how it comes out.

 

I am assuming this only works with the newer iPods that come with a dock. What about older models? I would love to have a plug-and-play setup for my version 1 iPod.

 

Hmmm. . .any plans for the CD changer? If it's an Alpine, I'd like to buy it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by secretvampire
I am assuming this only works with the newer iPods that come with a dock.

 

I have an Apline 6 disc CD changer that I am selling. I just installed an iPod in my car. I can send you pics if you are interested.
Neal

 

Want one (IPOD cupholder mount)

 

i'm interested to see how this turns out.

 

Preliminary photos have been posted top.

 

Looks good so far Rick.

I do have a question. The angle in which the iPod sits in the dock is nearly a 90 degree straight up. Are you going to be able to see the LCD display and use the controls comfortably if it's sitting in the cupholder like that?

Will there be a MY04 version as well (b/c I'm really interested), or will I have to develop one myself.