The thirteenth modification, Stealth iPod FM Transmitter

Well, unlucky for some, hopefully not unlucky for me.

Did this mod ages ago, only just got round to photographing it...

So, I was lucky enough to be given a third generation iPod Nano (Video) for a present and completely fed up with swapping CDs all the time, it was the perfect gift. Now I just needed to connect it to the head unit in the car somehow.

I tried various (ie. cheap) FM Transmitters from eBay with little success, lots of background hiss between tracks, generally crap audio, etc, until I came across this type:


It holds the iPod in place, charges it at the same time, and has a few different frequencies to choose from and gave the best reception on the head unit. It all worked well but was bit of a "heads up" to the thieving chav scum who would see it plugged into the dash and know there could be an iPod in the car, and they'd brick the window on the off chance it'd be stored in the glove box.

This wasn't something I wanted, so it had to be converted to stealth. Sure I could have just taken it out and shoved it in the glove box, but that's a pain in the arse and also adds to the setup time (how impatient am I???). It also covered up some of the dash board controls when in use so stealth was the only route.

I decided on the best frequency and then started to strip the device apart. There's not much too it really, one main PCB containing all the electronics, two wires for power (complete with an in-line fuse) and a third wire which was wound around the inside to act and the antenna for the transmitter:



So with the unit stripped, I cabled tied the wires across the PCB, then wrapped the whole thing in about a mile of electrical tape to prevent the connections shorting out on anything and prevent the wires being pulled out.

Once wrapped, I wired the unit to an ignition live so it comes on with the engine and off when then ignition is off, I kept the in-line fuse in line to protect it against surges, then mounted the transmitter behind the dashboard.

The wire that comes out of the pcb to connect to the iPod was then positioned so when not in use it just dangles into the glove box (stealth!) and when I need to use it, the wire simply pulls out of the glove box, plugs into the iPod then close the glove box again.

The iPod attaches to the dash using a bit of Velcro, so when not in use this is all you can see:





And then when in use, it looks like this:





In all, it takes about 5 seconds to open the glove box, plug the iPod in, stick the iPod on the dash and close the glove box again.

Update 28/03/08: All well and good, but the iPod was too far away to use practically so today it moved elsewhere in the car.


Modifications to date: Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth Hands Free Phone Kit, Debadged Tailgate, 'Semi-Stealth TomTom' Satellite Navigation, Chrome Wheels, Chrome Belt Line, Chrome Indicator Bulbs (Front), Chrome Fuel Door, Clear Side Repeaters, Chrome Indicator Bulbs (Sides), Altezza Rear Lights, Chrome Indicator Bulbs (Rear), Chrome Door Handle Recess Trims.