ec_nyx

Hi All,

I *think* I will be getting the audiolink adapter with USB-mp3 support (not the Ipod one). I've been lurking the forums a lot and got lots of good info from the awesome members here.

But alas, I must post one more time to ask my last(?) question on the subject of audio adapters. Just wondering, what options do I have for mounting the adapter? I hope it won't be too much to ask for people to post their mounting solutions with a small excerpt of how they did it. For me, I would like the adapter to be unseen once installed if possible, such as in the ash tray, but that would be entirely dependent on my installation skills and patience.


Thanks in advanced!

Scott R

I'm supposed to have mine installed by an installer tomorrow (Thursday) and have requested that they put it behind the ashtray. I'll tell you how it goes and take some photos afterwards. I'm anticipating that it will cost around $100, but I don't trust myself to do it right. I'm hoping they don't screw it up.

If I had money to burn and could be more patient, I might opt for a replacement dashboard with the flip-up cubby for a NAV system and run the wiring through there. I'm a bit worried that my shifter will block my vision of the touchscreen smartphone I'm planning to have connected and located near the ashtray and also haven't dismissed the possibility that I might decide that an all-in-one GPS/MP3 unit might be a better option which, if I did that, would be better located higher up (so that I could see it better and so that it could see the GPS satellites better). If I end up doing that, I'm not happy about the fact that I'd have a wire or two dangling down to the ashtray (for AUX input and for charging), which the replacement dash would resolve. But $300+ for a replacement dash (plus install cost) isn't too appealing.

Plus, the ashtray area has some advantages (as compared to on top of the dash), such as:
- Possbily better shading (so screen doesn't get washed out)
- More convenient location for me to poke at with my finger to change MP3 tracks, plug in GPS addresses, etc.

He||hammer

iTrader: (8)

Can I get a pic of what is it your going to be mounting, so i can try and give some ideas, the first 2 i have without seeing it are ashtray or glovebox

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Mine is behind the ashtray. There is plenty of room back there. It's very easy to do and it almost sickens me someone is willing to charge 100 bucks for that install.

ec_nyx

Sorry for not providing more info. I am looking at the audiolink model, since from what I read, it has been quite reliable. Here's the link:

AudioLink

Unfortunately, can't really find much info on it's dimension. I also attached another picture which I got from an ebay listing. It's for the xcarlink brand, but I think they are about the same size and essentially work the same way. Not sure what the difference is if there are any.

Firebirdude: How did you get it behind the ash tray? Did you have to drill any holes for this? Also, for those people who have audiolink, does it fit in the ash tray at all?

*Note* - This is not for ipod integration, just a USB flash drive.

Thanks again!

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

The box for the audiolink is roughly 4"x2"x1"

Scott R

firebirdude, is yours the AudioLink USB box? If so, could you post a pic of your install? I paid $125 for mine to be installed and it sticks out pretty far into the ashtray. I can close the ashtray door it if I don't have anything plugged into it, but if I do, I have to keep the door open. The installer said there was a big hump behind it that necessitated the forward placement of it.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Big hump my ***. (yes, I said it)
http://www.whatsmyip.org/ipodrx8/1.php
Like I said, using the walkthrough above I had NO problems installing it myself. No I don't have the USB one, but big deal. I'm sure the box is the same size. And if you need access to the box to plug in and unplug USB units (I don't know how it works), simply get a male to female USB extension cable and run it into the center console. So easy a caveman could do it. $125 freakin dollars.... I'd do it for a dinner at Chili's.

ec_nyx

Hi firebirdude, thanks for your reply. I have seen that walk-through before, but I don't know how much it applies to me, because he is using an RCA cable soldered to the cable. The Audiolink adapter has it's own wire harness with a white plug on it, that plugs into the back of the stereo. I suppose I could figure out which wire goes where and solder, but I don't trust myself that much for an installation like that.

Thanks for everyone's input. I will figure something out when I eventually get around to doing it.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I linked you to that site just to show you A) how much room is behind the ash try and B) show you how to remove the headunit. No soldering needed for your install. Just pull the headunit out and plug in the harness. Presto. If I was EXTREMELY busy, I MIGHT pay someone 20 bucks to do it....