Last things first. Here's the final result of a few nights crawling around on the floor of my car:
Now to the specifics....
So, after getting my new iPod, I decided the only place I'd have a chance to listen to it was in the car. So, with Dremel in hand, I made a few modifications to my Maxima.
The key part of the install was using the iPod dock so I can easily pop the iPod in and and out - rather than having to fumble with audio and power plugs all the time. The dock was originally white (Apple's favorite color). In order to match the car (and somewhat hide it when the iPod is not in the car), I spray painted the dock black. In order to mount the dock in the dash, I pulled out the guts of the change pocket (that's the door for it framing the iPod). The dock is then bracketed in to the piece that used to hold the change pocket door. The power and audio connections hook to the dock behind the dash.
Problem was, my Maxima's factory stereo doesn't have an auxiliary line input for a direct audio connection from the iPod dock to the stereo. And, because the stereo has an in-dash 6 CD changer, there's not even a remote CD changer connection to use one of those fancy (and usually expensive) CD changer-to-line input adapters. Nor did I want to use a noisy tape adapter, or any of the usually flaky wireless FM transmitters. So I decided the best solution was a hardwired FM modulator, which I mounted behind the dash. It sits in-line between the car's antenna and the factory stereo and, when powered, cuts off the antenna signal and "broadcasts" the iPod's signal on FM 89.1. Here's a picture of the modulator:
The power switch for the modulator is mounted in the dash next to the steering wheel so I can easily switch it on (to listen to the iPod) or off (to listen to the radio). Luckily, I bought the FM modulator from the local Tweeter store and the salesman told me I'd need two antenna adapter cables because the Maxima doesn't use the standard bullet plug antenna connections. It uses a 2 prong plug. But the adapters were only a few bucks, and they had them in stock.
The iPod is powered (and recharged) by a Belkin car adapter which is plugged into an extra cigarette lighter jack I installed behind the dash. The same power tap that powers the extra cigarette lighter jack also powers the FM modulator. I installed a DC noise filter to clean up the power to the modulator and the Belkin adapter. Here's a rough diagram showing the wiring:
And I didn't even set anything on fire when I was soldering all the connections. So that's good.
All in all, the sound is pretty good with no ground loop problems or hiss or crackling. And it's quick and easy to pop the iPod into the mount and take it out when I leave the car.
As you may be able to tell, I'm pretty happy with the whole thing. Now to figure out the best way to add an XM satellite radio receiver...
