Where to run iPod Cable
 

Hello everyone. I just registered on your boards. I tried to search through archives to find an answer to this question, but I didn't find one. If my question has already been answered, I would really appreciate a link to the thread.

Anyways, I just installed a Pioneer Z110BT radio/nav in my 2004 Mazda Rx8 (used the Metra kit). I ran the iPod cable to where the ashtray is supposed to go, but my iPhone does not fit well in there. I don't want to run it to the glove box (to inconvenient to plug in) or the cup holder (what if a drink spills on it?!). Is it possible to safely run the cable to the compartment directly behind the cup holder on the center console? Failing that, is there any other good place anyone would recommend?

Thanks in advance for any help.

You can easily do that but you'd have to dremel a hole for it.

Mine goes in the cup holder. No eating or drinking in my car, hence no problem. :)

+1^ did the same with the grom plug. There Is a little plastic piece in the cup holder that pops out I ran the wire through there and it works perfect and doest look bad

I put mine in the compartment behind the cup holder. Same scenario as Mr. West.

If you are worried about a hole in that compartment, drill through that little piece the cigarette lighter is connected to. you can buy those individually for like $12. So if you get rid of it, or sell the car, you can easily replace it.

you don't have to drill or dremel anything to have it in the compartment behind the cup holder. just pull out the panel for the cigarette plug, like alexb was saying, and then run the cable right in at the corner and just have it squeezed between the panel and the console. it won't sit flush at the bottom edge, but when you put the little felt liner back on, it looks flawless. i did this with my mini usb for hooking up phone, external drive, etc to the carPC

Thank you for all the help. And it is safe to run the cable under the console where the ebrake is to get it to that compartment? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

When I had my audiolink i ran it into the console compartment and went down the left side opposite of the ebrake. It was in there for about 8 months when I removed it no damage to the cable. As ninjajim4 suggested I also ran my cable under the cigarette lighter so I had to do no drilling.

I had to go to with the bluetooth xcarlink, cause I hate cables everywhere!

i ran my ipod into my glove box. with my avic d3x i can control everything from the HU so being able to see the ipod is pointless.
Only time i even touch the ipod these days is to watch a movie since you can't control movies with the d3.

Thanks for all the advice. I did run my iPod cable to the center console next to the ebrake area and it works great! Only thing that sucks is that I can't use my iPhone to text while driving, but I guess I shouldn't be doing that anyways.

On another note, I ran my mic to the A piller (the paneling between the windshield and the drivers side window) and it doesn't seem to work well. Where did you guys run your mics?

mines on the A pillar coming out of the gap between the pillar cover and the roof liner. havent had any issues

Back from the dead... but only to answer this question as I could not find the answer during installation yesterday. I actually mounted my mic ON the center console behind the shifter. It is a little awkward but it works very well. The way it is now I ran the cable under like normal but there is a slight space I was able to leave the mic coming out of. Sure when I snapped the console back down it slightly crunches the cable but it works for now until I actually go in and use a dremel to mount the Mic right into the center console.

I'll post a pic tonight.

[edit] Meh I will post a pic of where it is anyway... but I have a hand resting habit thats hard to break. Will probably take it back apart tonight or tomorrow and maybe mount the mic on the steering column. We shall see.

Maybe I will remount my Mic to that position. I have mine in the A pillar and the interference is fairly awful. No one can ever hear me.

I just re-ran the wiring today. Forgot about taking a pic. But now the mic is mounted on my steering column. Sounds better even. Ran the iPod cable under the center console and out through the rear lighter access door. Funny enough the door is flexible enough to put down over the iPod cable. Put Velcro under the felt pad and ran the cable under it with the connector showing. Not a bad setup, although the grom mic is kinda huge.