Badger Biker
Member
- :
- 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited
Not being happy with having wires everywhere, or always having my cig lighter in use (I prefer a clean look) I undertook a fun little project and here are some pictures of the process for those that love pictures, and want to see a really cool installation.
Things I used:
For mounting the iPod: ProClip iPod Dash Mount + Adjustable iPod Mount - http://www.proclipusa.com
For a power supply and a direct line-in for Audio: Monster Cable iCarCharger - http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=2132
*PIE Module and Connecting cable (See other thread about this)
*Monster Cable iCable to connect PIE to the iCarCharger - http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=1731
*12V Cigarette Lighter
I first removed the Cig lighter/Airbag light assembly, disconnected all the cables and set it out for photographing with the other things I used.
(Not shown: PIE and Y Cable, already installed into the back of the radio)
The stock pro-clip mount coverd just a millimeter or two of the right-side heater controls, and that bugged me. I dremeled the little SOB and sanded it down till I was happy.
To give the charger a smooth mounting surface, you have to remove all the ribs on the back of the plastic interior peice. I used a dremel tool and then a wood scraping thingy to make it perfectly smooth. (Picture is pre-smoothing)
I then removed the silver ring/black monstercable logo form the charger. BECAREFUL TO NOT DESTROY THE RING. The ring is not glued down, but the black plastic peice is. It takes a bit of prying, but you should be able to do it eventually. Work it, work it good and hard and then your formerally 1 peice charger will be in 3 peices.
Using drill bits of graduated sizes, I proceeded to drill a 3/4" hole in the center of the unit. Drillbit was a little off so I don't have a perfect circle - not a big deal, as this is hidden in the final product anyways.
Using hot glue I then glued the charger to the back of the unit. Picture shows a single bead. I went back after the picture and glued the hell out of that thing. I do NOT want it falling off. So use glue, epoxy, tacky glue, cement ... whatever. Just make sure it won't come off.
This is what the unit looks like from the other side all glued in place:
I used more hot glue to fill in the edges of the silver ring and keep the black peice in place. There is NO place to glue the ring in place if you do not do this. Put some hot glue around the edges, then quickly put it on a perfectly flat (dense) surface. Remove, and do it to more. Do a quarter of the inside of the ring at a time so the glue won't harden too quickly on you. (Don't fill the inside of the screen, just the silver ring) When you are all done, sand it a little bit, get rid of all extra glue that might have spilled out on the sides, and put the ring into place. I HIGHLY recommend Arleen's tacky art glue for this. It allows you to place the ring in place, and then move it around to perfectly center it. Excess can be wiped away, and taken off with a little water if left to dry.
Tap int othe cig lighter (orange = power, other = negative) and put your added cig lighter element onto your charger.
Remove the passenger left side footrest panel, it gives you easy access to run wires.
I ran the Y cable wire from the back of the stereo through the interior of the dash and had it come out where you see it. The curled cable of the charger comes out in the same area (just run through the back of the panel, you will be able to see how when you get in there) and in a rather smart bit of engineering, I put the Y cable in the curls of the charger for a nice clean look. Also notice in this picture you can see the iPod and the iPod holder already in place. Proclip gives you good instructions for installation of this mount. Hook everything up, turn on the car and you are done.
The charger is unique in that it has a 3 light setting depending on charge. Red for quick charge, amber for trickle, and Green (Matches the green lights already in the dash and climate controls 100% perfectly) for when the unit is all charged up.
Of course, no project would be compete with a picture of how it looks at night, so here it is for all to enjoy:
Questions and comments are welcome, and often encouraged. This is a little over the top, I admit, but I'm just obsessive like that.
(mj)
Things I used:
For mounting the iPod: ProClip iPod Dash Mount + Adjustable iPod Mount - http://www.proclipusa.com
For a power supply and a direct line-in for Audio: Monster Cable iCarCharger - http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=2132
*PIE Module and Connecting cable (See other thread about this)
*Monster Cable iCable to connect PIE to the iCarCharger - http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=1731
*12V Cigarette Lighter
I first removed the Cig lighter/Airbag light assembly, disconnected all the cables and set it out for photographing with the other things I used.
(Not shown: PIE and Y Cable, already installed into the back of the radio)
The stock pro-clip mount coverd just a millimeter or two of the right-side heater controls, and that bugged me. I dremeled the little SOB and sanded it down till I was happy.
To give the charger a smooth mounting surface, you have to remove all the ribs on the back of the plastic interior peice. I used a dremel tool and then a wood scraping thingy to make it perfectly smooth. (Picture is pre-smoothing)
I then removed the silver ring/black monstercable logo form the charger. BECAREFUL TO NOT DESTROY THE RING. The ring is not glued down, but the black plastic peice is. It takes a bit of prying, but you should be able to do it eventually. Work it, work it good and hard and then your formerally 1 peice charger will be in 3 peices.
Using drill bits of graduated sizes, I proceeded to drill a 3/4" hole in the center of the unit. Drillbit was a little off so I don't have a perfect circle - not a big deal, as this is hidden in the final product anyways.
Using hot glue I then glued the charger to the back of the unit. Picture shows a single bead. I went back after the picture and glued the hell out of that thing. I do NOT want it falling off. So use glue, epoxy, tacky glue, cement ... whatever. Just make sure it won't come off.
This is what the unit looks like from the other side all glued in place:
I used more hot glue to fill in the edges of the silver ring and keep the black peice in place. There is NO place to glue the ring in place if you do not do this. Put some hot glue around the edges, then quickly put it on a perfectly flat (dense) surface. Remove, and do it to more. Do a quarter of the inside of the ring at a time so the glue won't harden too quickly on you. (Don't fill the inside of the screen, just the silver ring) When you are all done, sand it a little bit, get rid of all extra glue that might have spilled out on the sides, and put the ring into place. I HIGHLY recommend Arleen's tacky art glue for this. It allows you to place the ring in place, and then move it around to perfectly center it. Excess can be wiped away, and taken off with a little water if left to dry.
Tap int othe cig lighter (orange = power, other = negative) and put your added cig lighter element onto your charger.
Remove the passenger left side footrest panel, it gives you easy access to run wires.
I ran the Y cable wire from the back of the stereo through the interior of the dash and had it come out where you see it. The curled cable of the charger comes out in the same area (just run through the back of the panel, you will be able to see how when you get in there) and in a rather smart bit of engineering, I put the Y cable in the curls of the charger for a nice clean look. Also notice in this picture you can see the iPod and the iPod holder already in place. Proclip gives you good instructions for installation of this mount. Hook everything up, turn on the car and you are done.
The charger is unique in that it has a 3 light setting depending on charge. Red for quick charge, amber for trickle, and Green (Matches the green lights already in the dash and climate controls 100% perfectly) for when the unit is all charged up.
Of course, no project would be compete with a picture of how it looks at night, so here it is for all to enjoy:
Questions and comments are welcome, and often encouraged. This is a little over the top, I admit, but I'm just obsessive like that.
(mj)