iPhone dash integration

[jsdoyle]

So, I bought the truck and the heater controls were disconnected and the fan switch was rerouted to one of the dash knobs.

Actually one of heater control arms was broke off. So the part was pretty much useless. Being the geek that I am I needed to wire in an accessory plug to charge my phone.

I noticed that the shape of the non-functional heater control was very similar to the shape of my iPhone. So, long story short, I wired in an iPhone charging cable by drilling a hole at the bottom of the faceplate. I removed the control arm assembly by drilling out the rivets on the back. This got the other two control arms out of the way.

I used some very strong double face tape and a spacer to fasten the dock connector at the bottom and I now have a nice in-dash dock for my phone. I took another small piece of the double faced tape and put it near the top to keep the phone from moving around. I probably need to figure out an alternative to that but overall it worked great.

I know some of you purists on here will cringe at the mod but until I can replace the whole unit and make it functional again I'm putting it to use!

Scott

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I think its a great idea! can you post pics of how you mounted and wired the cable? I'm gonna steel this mod!

[jsdoyle]

Originally Posted by Leadfoot Lambert

I think its a great idea! can you post pics of how you mounted and wired the cable? I'm gonna steel this mod!

I'll take another picture of the connector tonight.

I bought a cheap USB charging wire and USB lighter plug at the counter at Walgreen's yesterday. I had to cut the charging cable to fish it through the hole in the dash plate. Racked my brain for a few and came up with the double faced tape idea.

The tape I had is thick and almost like a piece of rubber. It's somewhat flexible but grabs real good.

I got one of those lighter/accessory plugs at Auto Zone and wired it to the fuse block. Spliced the charging cable back together and plugged'er in.

Worked like a charm. Glad you liked it!

Scott

[Narxoleptic Customs]

That's awesome!! Good thinking.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jocko]

very nice install. In SoCal, I'm sure you'd get a ticket for texting while driving whether you were or not! I sure hope iphone 5 isn't a different size...

But how cool is that!! Like a built-in GPS and speakerphone, and weather station all in one. And it only cost the truck an easily replaceable heater faceplate.

[jsdoyle]

Originally Posted by jocko

very nice install. In SoCal, I'm sure you'd get a ticket for texting while driving whether you were or not! I sure hope iphone 5 isn't a different size...

But how cool is that!! Like a built-in GPS and speakerphone, and weather station all in one. And it only cost the truck an easily replaceable heater faceplate.

They say the iPhone 5 is going to be bigger... I don't put a lot of faith in the rumor mill for the phones.

I actually have room for my case. It works with or without.

[jsdoyle]

If I thought I would be driving it long distance... that rectangular ash tray cover looks a lot like the shape of a 4 or 5 inch GPS!

[hopped up]

thats pretty cool! and i dont even have an iphone.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

Same here But I do like it.

Do you have the iphone connected to your stereo also?

The heater controls could likely be installed into the blank over on the passenger side.

Originally Posted by hopped up

thats pretty cool! and i dont even have an iphone.
Posted via Mobile Device

[MikeS.]

That is sweet, now I'll have to think up something for my iPad3 and my 63 burb.

[jsdoyle]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Same here But I do like it.

Do you have the iphone connected to your stereo also?

The heater controls could likely be installed into the blank over on the passenger side.

The stereo that came with the truck doesn't have an aux input. Notice the cassette player... So no it's not hooked up to that. Later if I replace the radio I'll do that.

Nice idea on the blank on the right! I'll look into putting the heater controls over there!

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/iphone.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearc...ocks.html?pg=3

http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?s...lerid=19087894

http://www.bringmobi.com/iPhone-4-ca...FUdN4Aodlmee7Q

[jsdoyle]

I'm not into the FM transmitters. I've never had a lot of luck with them and the sound quality is not as good as a direct wire.

Griffin makes a plug that has an aux out on the lighter end of it that works well in my other car. I'll go to that if I ever replace the radio.

[biohazardbill]

Originally Posted by jsdoyle

I'm not into the FM transmitters. I've never had a lot of luck with them and the sound quality is not as good as a direct wire.

Griffin makes a plug that has an aux out on the lighter end of it that works well in my other car. I'll go to that if I ever replace the radio.

My Alpine radio, although not in the truck as of right now, hooks to my phone/ipod for music integration ie pandora etc. This would be good to integrate witht hat, i like the idea however my only reserve is as phones change so would the hold id have to make.. I will have the truck longer than my iphone.

[b2948kevin]

Many new stereos use bluetooth integration for music/phone calls through your speakers, so there's really no need to even hard-wire if you go this route. The only requirements should be that it holds your iphone where you can access it and that it charges. The rest would likely take care of itself.

As for longevity of the mount, the iphone/ipod has stuck with one connector type and relatively close form factor througout it's life, so I would say that it's safe to predict no extreme variations from that in the near to mid term. That is a good point though. Long term, who knows...

[jsdoyle]

Just a follow up. I managed to get a little suction cup from Walmart last night and it fits perfect with the center slot. This holds the phone perfectly in place.

As much as I like this I'm heading out to some scrap yards tomorrow in search of a stock heater control unit and cables. I really would like to get it back to using the original setup for the heater/defroster.

I'll have to come up with another mount for the phone. I do like the radio head units with bluetooth integration. I'll probably go with one of those down the road.