I have a Clarion VRX575USB with iPod control capabilities, but the interface is really slow and it doesn't support the iPhone. I decided I didn't want wires hanging out and wanted a clean USB and headphone jack mounted somewhere out of sight, so I figured "why not cut up a $100 MGW ashtray?!"
I didn't know how good this would turn out, so I didn't document the whole process, but I'm happy with the way it came out and took a few shots at the end. I soldered a 1/8" stereo headphone jack to a plug, then cut a hole for the flexible USB extender. I sanded down the rubber piece in the ashtray so the lid sat flush on it and so the finish was consistent. I used some contact cement to anchor the headphone jack to the back of the rubber piece and just used the hole for the screw so I didn't have to drill.
Now when I'm listening to the iPod via the head unit, the music will dim when I get a call, so I can ACTUALLY hear my phone ring!
Lid closed:
The back/wires:
The inside:
I didn't know how good this would turn out, so I didn't document the whole process, but I'm happy with the way it came out and took a few shots at the end. I soldered a 1/8" stereo headphone jack to a plug, then cut a hole for the flexible USB extender. I sanded down the rubber piece in the ashtray so the lid sat flush on it and so the finish was consistent. I used some contact cement to anchor the headphone jack to the back of the rubber piece and just used the hole for the screw so I didn't have to drill.
Now when I'm listening to the iPod via the head unit, the music will dim when I get a call, so I can ACTUALLY hear my phone ring!
Lid closed:
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The back/wires:
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The inside:
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