Wow this is exactly what I'm looking to do, too. I have some improvements on the idea, though - (IMHO)

1. Let's make the dock connector power the phone (of course) and also give a line-out audio source. Reason being I don't want to use the headunit to control the iPhone, I want the iPhone to be like a touchscreen dash computer. Are there headunits that have an iphone cable AND use it as a line in audio source, not an "ipod device" ?

2. Let's make the holder for the iPhone a friction-based holder, so you can keep the phone in its normal case. Bonus points if it not only "grabs" the phone by the sides, but also can swivel for landscape mode. =]

3. Let's mount the dock connector cable to where you just plug the phone into the new "dock" like you would a speaker set in the apple store.

I think if I can pull all of that off - we'll have the perfect dash-mounted removable computer/gps/internet browser/movie player/audio source - all touchscreen and easy to see while driving!

Now I just need to figure out how to get my jawbone 2 to work with the windows down. =]

 

Here what I decided to do. I am mounting my Iphone into my armrest. I cut the whole out and I am using the stock little clear plastic piece that my iphone came packaged in as a docking station in my armrest. I am stalled right now as I think I need to order an ipod interface connection for my Eclipse head unit to be able to control music through the nead unit and dash controls.

Here is what I got so far. Looks not so great now since the leather hasn't been glued down in place but looks like it should lake very flush with the armrest. It will charge there and also be connected for music and I will be able to see who is calling and all as well. Very happy so far.

I'll update once the cables get in and put everything back together.

 

kinda hard to get to yah?

 

Nah I don't think that will be an issue. I don't really talk much in my car anyways so mosly for just charging it in a neat location and having it to play music which once wires up I will not need to access the iphone as I will be using the head unit controls for that. To get it out I am thinking of doing like a ribbon pull thing to make it easier to remove as it will be flush once installed complete. Really wanted something that would click down and then be pushed down again and click up to be easily removed. I might look around for something like that still as that would make things easier.

 

HU controls music playback, and you shouldn't be talking on it while you're driving anyway - if you feel you must, use a bluetooth...

 

Have the bluetooth headset so will be easy to see who is calling and then I can answer or not haha.

 

Funny thing is...I finally caved and bought a Bluetooth headset after I bought the S (b/c of the stick shift). Of course, now I never use the damned thing b/c I can't ever hear it while I'm driving...

 

Hahah yeah very true. My gutted HKS with test pipe doesn't allow for too much bluetooth use. I can sometimes hear but the person on the other end usually isn't so lucky haha.

 

Don't know what they are called at all but anyone knoow where I might find this.
It is similar to like a magnetic cabinet door clasp thing. Push it closed to clit it in and then push again to open. I am wondering if they make something like that that is very slim and non magnetic so I could use it to click in the iphone and click again so that it will pop up and be easily removed with a clean look. Any suggestions on this?

 

Um, no offense but there is a critical flaw with your armrest idea. (Although I admire your ability to modify the leather, etc)

What happens when Apple releases the iPhone 3.5G Pro today at 1pm? Or you decide to move to a Palm Pre? Etc.

I see no one liked my post above but I still intend to do it that way. I'll post pics when its all done. Probably going to use Modfry's newer mount, and make some reinforcing metal splines on the back so it doesn't wobble.