I finally got my Neo Juke Box installed. Originally when I purchased my “8”, I simply took pictures of the Neo as I figured I would have to sell it. But thanks to lots of posts by members that changed.

First thanks to Tamas (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16120) for telling me about Overload’s thread in the first place on a related question post. Undoubtly, this would not have been possible without the post from OverLOAD (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10530) on using the tape unit as an aux in. Awesome idea. One I would never have came up with on my own. Also, thanks to Superfan (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7644) for his post on installing an MP3 player. I would not have made it through all the ins and outs without his pictures and installation instructions (which was somehow missing from my tape unit) .

So anyway, I used a tape unit to make an aux in similar to what OverLOAD posted. I made one change however. Not in any way trying to say I improved on OverLOAD’s post. He’s gathered way to much information on the subject for anyone to take credit for all his work. I just found one additional option. I used a cassette tape that has input on it to pass sound through a fake tape. This allowed me not to have to have to do the circuit board change and have a permanent tape in the tape unit. To me, the sound isn’t as good as it was in the other vehicles I have installed this unit in. For those cars I installed through the CD connection via a special until for RCA connections. But it didn’t sound nearly as bad as FM modulation either.

I installed the Neo in the trunk after I realized that it would not fit under the passenger seat (which I had pulled this afternoon) when seat was slid forward. I also cut into the interior trim panel about in the location where the nav buttons go (just to the rear of the shifter/ gear selector) to install the control panel for the Neo. The cut wasn’t exact, but I have a plan to correct that as well. Didn’t expect to make an exact cut knowing my skills. Hopefully I’ll be able to post pics of that later this week.

Anyway, here’s some pics. I’ll be happy to get back to work so I can get some rest!

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congratulations

looks like it is very accessible without taking your eyes off the road. How about some daylight pictures

If you haven't NAVI? how about putting the main unit in the factory nav unit's place?

Just a thought.

rgds
Tobi

Niiiiice,

Day time pics please....WHealy your one big time PIMP at customizing... haha

CM

Originally posted by RX-8-Tobi
If you haven't NAVI? how about putting the main unit in the factory nav unit's place?

Just a thought.

rgds
Tobi

RX-8-Tobi,

I'd say the odds are pretty slim that the two devices have identical dimensions. But I must admitt I don't know there the Nav is located in the "8" since I don't have one. Can you tell where that might be?

The nav unit is on the top of the dashboard, above the display for the radio / clock / thermometer etc.
To fit the Neo to that place, it would require to cut out the dash panel. Definitely a job that would require pretty good skills to make it look good (and factory). I think it's too much work and quite a bit of risk to mess up something. Advantage would be the fact that you'd not have to install the wired remote (in case your Neo is one of the newer units with the display and the control buttons built into the front of the slid-out part). If your unit lacks the display, you'd need the wired remote anyway which would negate this advantage.

Ah, it's strange that you came to the exact same idea like me about where to mount the wired remote of the Neo :)
Pity that you had to cut into the trim panel - I thought that the remote could be just surface-mounted. However, seeing that it's pretty thick, surface-mounting might look goofy...

I'm seriously considering mounting the wired remote into the ashtray location but that would also require to hack apart the unit under the ashtray cover and cut out the cig lighter. I'd like to do it in a way that I can still close the cover though. So it remains to be seen how that'll go. If that plan fails, I'll install it at the same location you did. It still requires to look down behind the shifter when operating the Neo, but there doesn't seem to be another suitable place for it.

Good work with the install! As for using the fake tape unit, the sound won't be as good as direct wiring, so that might be the reason why you're experiencing a somewhat worse sound than with the RCA plugs. Using the slight circuit board change like in OverLOAD's method should yield better quality since that bypasses the tape head and associated circuitry and is a more direct way to feed the signal.

Tamas,

But where does the actual NAV unit go? I with ya on the location of the display. I've also seen the "tray" that they sell for those that want to put in their own NAV. I think that would be to far away for the Neo control. You are right about the screen and taking my eyes off the road to view it. But typically, I don't look at it. At best i fast forward as I have my directories setup to minimize searching. So having the button close to the shifter is ideal for me.

As for the wired tape, I would have to disagree with you. I thin OverLOADS fix doesn't cut the input from the blank tape. I think you just add the wired input to the signal. But that's probably better debated on overLOAD's thread.

Again, thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Hopefully I'll have some daytime pics this evening.

Where did you get this cassette tape?...i used the fm modulator to install the neo jukebox mp3 player.. The sound from the fm modulator isnt what i really hoped for and im looking for a better choice. Thanks in advance


Edit: I put the remote in the ashtray and put velcro to hold it in place.. No cutting was really involved...

Not exactly right yet. Still working on the bezel around the unit. But you get the idea.

Originally posted by NoVa
Where did you get this cassette tape?...i used the fm modulator to install the neo jukebox mp3 player.. The sound from the fm modulator isnt what i really hoped for and im looking for a better choice. Thanks in advance


Edit: I put the remote in the ashtray and put velcro to hold it in place.. No cutting was really involved...

NoVa,

This is the product I was talking about. (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=12-1999)

Hmmm....I think you should have painted the Neo BLUE! Seriously...nice work Bill! You think you can help me with a tape input for my XM?

Originally posted by WHealy
Tamas,

But where does the actual NAV unit go?

The DVD drive for the Nav is located inside the rear console box.

Originally posted by flyboyindy
Hmmm....I think you should have painted the Neo BLUE! Seriously...nice work Bill! You think you can help me with a tape input for my XM?

Frank,

Sure. Should I mention that I have a heated garrage? :) Let me know if you need a hand. I'm sure we could work out a time.

Originally posted by Zoom2X
The DVD drive for the Nav is located inside the rear console box.

Thanks Zoom2X

WHealy

I'm about to install a NEO and was wondering if you had some more pics of the head unit install?

I was thinking of puting the unit into the ashtray, but was unsure of the depth needed...

Cheers

Rod

Originally posted by RotorVator
WHealy

I'm about to install a NEO and was wondering if you had some more pics of the head unit install?

I was thinking of puting the unit into the ashtray, but was unsure of the depth needed...

Cheers

Rod

Rod,

HeadUnit? The one that's in the center coles that is the radio/cd etc or the control unit for the Neo? Let me know and I'll see what I can come up with. Also, you might want to check out this thred (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23975&highlight=chrome) in case you haven't already seen it.