iPod/iPhone install - Complete

[macalanche]

So I decided to install a ipod/iphone dock in my truck. I already owned the power/audio/video cable already and I've wanted to learn how to fiberglass. The one thing that is a requirement for this install is I have to be able to easily get to it. So I came up with the brilliant idea of the visor. The only problem I ran into was the left side of the visor is sort of lose or floppy and this (as it turns out) is so the visor can tuck nicely against headliner.

So I did it, and it's kind of cool but of course the fiberglass doesn't' bend and the visor is way to low. Take a look at the pics and let me know what you guys think I should do.

 

[joeami]

That's not an iPhone






When using the iPod cable on your iPhone, do you get any problems at all?

 

[macalanche]

So I thought I would get some of the sanding done and think about this a little more and it hit me that if I layed two layers of fiberglass flat and then trimmed them to fit on the visor it might be flexible enought. I also cut the holder to fit the ipod and phone and sanded it down a bit. Now I need to add another layer or two to the backing where it doesn't need to flex, glue the cable in place, hit it with some bondo, prime, paint and drink a beer.

What do you think so far?

 

[macalanche]

That's not an iPhone






When using the iPod cable on your iPhone, do you get any problems at all?

Two reasons there aren't pics of my iPhone...I'm using it to take the pics and it's a bit more expensive than my older ipod. Resin is a B!*#H to get off!!!!

No problems with the cable working other than when it checks for email or connects to the network I get some buzzing. I probably won't use it much for the iPhone tho, maybe to charge it every now and then. My old iPod will likely end up just living up there.

 

[joeami]

Two reasons there aren't pics of my iPhone...I'm using it to take the pics and it's a bit more expensive than my older ipod. Resin is a B!*#H to get off!!!!

No problems with the cable working other than when it checks for email or connects to the network I get some buzzing. I probably won't use it much for the iPhone tho, maybe to charge it every now and then. My old iPod will likely end up just living up there.

That's good to know that it works (I hear another mod calling )
You wouldn't even know those pics were from a phone

 

[macalanche]

I've gotten a bunch done on this today. BTW, if anyone is wondering why I'm stopping to post pics while I'm in the middle of this project, it's just because it takes at least 90 minutes for the resin to set so I have a minute or two to kill.

I ended up having to take a little more off the holder than I wanted because I hadn't pulled the cable out of my truck before I started this and didn't realize that the end that plugs into the iPod is thicker than the iPod. This will go under the "what I learned while doing this project" post when I finally finish this.

The second pic just shows how the cable will go in. I'm going to hot glue it in place then clean it up with some of the bondo with fiberglass in it.

Next pic is just showing how I cut the tabs off the end of the cable so it won't lock into the iPod.

 

[macalanche]

Time to mud. I am going to do the first layer or two with the fiberglass strand bondo, just for strength. There are some big areas to fill around the cable.

 

[vertabatt]

Looks like you are having fun... don't breathe in too many fumes!

 

[macalanche]

Looks like you are having fun... don't breathe in too many fumes!

But that's what makes it fun.

 

[macalanche]

So it's done and I'm pretty happy with it. I could have spent a little more time sanding but I was ready to be done. Oh, and did you know that blue tape will remove the paint from the mirror cover if you leave it on for a couple days? I didn't.

The only thing that sort of blows is the iPhone wont work with it. I measured ALMOST everything to make sure I had a good compromise between the two sizes. What I took for granted was how far the charge/A/V port was from the back.

So here's what I learned, hopefully it'll help anyone who wants to take on their first fiberglass job.

1. buy a good mask and cheap gloves. the mask is obvious but the cheap gloves because you can get a whole box of cheap one for the price of one good pair and just throw them away after each use.

2. spray WD-40 on your gloves and lightly on your work area. it keeps the glass and resin from sticking...sort of.

3. if you get resin on your hands, it will end up on the remote an hour later, regardless of how hard you try to get it off.

4. get a bunch of fiberglass and don't worry about trashing it.

5. no matter how cool your wife is, she will get REALLY mad if you use her good sheers to cut fiberglass.

6. you can't fix problem areas in your mudding with more mud, take the time to sand it down

7. bring a piece of your interior with you when getting paint. if you get some kid to look up your color code, just kick him in his junk before you leave because he probably got it wrong.

 

[vertabatt]

Dude.... SWEET! Looks great for a few days playing with fiberglass.

 

[SamHouseIII]

Nice job, love it!!

Sam

 

[Dune Coon]

I couldn't help but to chuckle at your learning. Especially the last one (aka junk.. lmfao)

Looks good. When you going to make me one?

 

[DougD]

Can you take pics with the stupid iPod turned off so it's not glaring back?

 

[macalanche]

Can you take pics with the stupid iPod turned off so it's not glaring back?

Sure, here's a shot with the iPod off and the second shows the visor closed with the iPod in (you'll have to take my word on that).

**EDIT**
One thing I forgot to mention that the second pic shows is I didn't use any fasteners to mount it. I made the top and bottom wrap around and the left side slide tucks into that little pocket.

 

[macalanche]

I couldn't help but to chuckle at your learning. Especially the last one (aka junk.. lmfao)

Looks good. When you going to make me one?

I might sell you this one for the cost of the cable if you want it. I have to make one for my wife now and I want to try to make one to work with my iPhone too (again )

I started this to learn how to use fiberglass so I could build myself something similar to the drawings I rendered for you. That will be a big project but I think it'll be fun.

 

[DougD]

Sure, here's a shot with the iPod off and the second shows the visor closed with the iPod in (you'll have to take my word on that).

Shows up MUCH better.  That looks fantastic, really wouldn't know it was a first-time effort.

 

[macalanche]

Shows up MUCH better.? That looks fantastic, really wouldn't know it was a first-time effort.

Nice job, love it!!

Sam

Thanks guys. I really enjoyed doing it and I'm looking forward to doing more.

 

[Dune Coon]

Looks great IMO. I definately been reading up on fiberglass. There is a forum that I have been pretty much glued to.

www.fiberglassforums.com

Great website with lots of useful information.

 

[vertabatt]

Awesome Brad... you could even try to take it to the next level by wrapping it in headliner to blend in in further. Might be too much of a pain, but a thought anyway.

I'd love one of these if my HU allowed control from the iPod while its connected. Since I can't a cable to the glovebox works just fine...

 

[macalanche]

Awesome Brad... you could even try to take it to the next level by wrapping it in headliner to blend in in further. Might be too much of a pain, but a thought anyway.

I'd love one of these if my HU allowed control from the iPod while its connected. Since I can't a cable to the glovebox works just fine...

Thanks. I doubt I'll work on this one anymore but part duex will be a better match.

I used a cable that gave me control of the iPod instead of the Pioneer one. I hate the Pioneer iPod interface and this cable lets me play video too. I just ran it into my Aux A/V input instead.

 

[macalanche]

Looks great IMO. I definately been reading up on fiberglass. There is a forum that I have been pretty much glued to.

www.fiberglassforums.com

Great website with lots of useful information.

I've been reading through it too. I have a few good sites book marked at home that I'll send you. In the end, you just have to get dirty though. It's really not that hard and I'd try something small like this to learn how it works before taking on a big project.