My iPod mod for beetle (An in-dash solution!!)

[paulalves]

Ive started my modification to my bug, which will result with a chrome-trimmed slot in the middle of my center dash where my ipod will slide right into. The slot will also glow in the night when no ipod is inserted. No wires showing, all wiring has been routed inside the dash.

Heres what Ive done so far...lets call it a How-To.

1. Remove center dash panel. Took a while to figure out where all the screws were. You need to remove the radio (ask your vw dealer to do this if you dont have a radio removal tool and make sure you have your radio code!!!) you also need to remove the panel below the dash peice which has your heated seat buttons and hazard light switches on it (you need to pop off the left front and left right plastic peices by tugging to find the first 2 screws that attach that one)

2. had to dremel away lots of plastic underneath the dash peice (it has a second wall of plastic underneath which is sonic welded to the dash peice so you cant just unfasten it)... I then dremeled away a rectangular hole on top of the dash peice where my ipod will slide in... I will provide dimensions if anyone is interested in doing this as well... Note that this plastic melts instantly upon dremelling and I suggest you wear gloves and beware no melted stuff gets on areas of the dash that you arent cutting (use masking tape and tape off around the area)

This is where I am so far, I will include a picture....but currently my ipod sits too low and the PLAY button is not very accessible, so i am fixing this by doing the following steps in the next few days:

3. Wired my ipod dock's power cable (which I purchases seperately at futureshop, one that plugs into your lighter) directly to power behind dash and also plugged the audio jack directly to the audio jack wire that normally is under your dash in the new bugs 2006.

4. have to shave down my ipod dock so it fits snugger against the top of the dash, since the dash is curved i only have to shave down the left and right of the top, dont worry too much most of the ipod dock at the top is just plastic anyways and non essential.

5. going to shave down (sand?) the area of the dash underneath where I am going to glue the ipod dock also for same reason to raise it up so my ipod doesnt sit so low.

6. Glue dock to bottom of panel, then glue a chrome trim cover on top (to hide my bad dremeling job and make this look damn professional...

Voila, an ipod solution that looks good and lets you use your ipod's controls...I hate ipod solutions that include putting your ipod into your glove compartment...the whole reason I like the ipod is cuz I can operate it with one finger!!


Pictures I will post soon...going to the garage now to take a few.

[GINA]

I am anxiously awaiting pics of this...

Sounds like a good idea in theory, but I think I'd need to see how it actually looks before I pass judgement

[paulalves]

Sorry been real busy heres a pic I will post more soon of finished job...

[mezonesxbox]

Originally Posted by paulalves

Sorry been real busy heres a pic I will post more soon of finished job...

WOW!! That is awesome!! Good Job!! It looks like a nice, clean PRO look. SWEET!!

[alexirkhin]

wow!! that does look VERY VERY nice!!!! awesome job on that custom work!!! just be sure to not leave your ipod there over night or anytime, (theft is getting CRAZY these days!)

[Breez]

WOW, very cool!!!


/me drools.

[GatorBeetle]

Very inventive...looks good.

[paulalves]

Still working on making the final cover, which will not include bolts...

[Superman]

Thats awesome!! Nice steering wheel cover too

[EvilinaDM101]

That's AWESOME!! Any more updated pics? Maybe at night?

BTW - big Superman fan? I saw the Christohper Reeves Foundation dogtags. Very cool!