adinfinitum
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- Location
- Mayland
The other day, Toncruse, Rubare (DMV) got together for a mini meet and mod session.
I bought the Nissan OEM ipod interface (non-sat radio kit) before Xmas, and together we perfromed the install. To tell the truth, it was a huge benefit to have the extra hands and help to do this mod.
I got a few pictures, no way a comprehensive record of the install, but I will share what I have.
First I recently bought a set of nylon pry bars from Harbor Freight, these things are inexpensive, and indispensible for this job.
If you are doing this mod, then it is probably best to disonnect the battery first. Or do as I did, and at least don't turn on the ignition unless everything is completely connected or disonnected.
The basic order of things is to remove the clock, the shifter knob, the console top, and then the dash cover over the head unit.
To remove the shift knob you slide the plastic cover down, and remobe the metal clip. then the knob slides right off. Be sure not to lose the blue plastic piece. Best to remove it too. and set it aside.
The Factory Service manual has illustrations on how to remove the clock and console, but again, you really need the trim tools for this to prevent damage.
As you go along you will have to disconnect each electrical connection. These can be sticky, but once you pust in the connector lock (using a trim tool helps with this too) they usually come out without mch difficulty. Whatever trouble you have now with getting the connectors apart will be rewarded upon re-assembly. They go back together much easier than they come apart.
You will also need to shift the transmission in to drive to remove the console top.
The clock face has one connector, the console top has four, and the head unit face has two ribbon cables. One of the ribbon cables has a snap in strain relief that will need to be removed with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
Finally you get to the head unit (HU), and you can remove the six screws that hold it in place.
View attachment 163220
You can see the ribbon cables in the picture above to the right of the HU.
To remove the HU, I can't even remember how many connectors there are to remove. Even though it might be possible to install the Ipod Interface by only removing the necessary connectors, it is certainly much easier to remove them all to perform the install.
View attachment 163221
Above is the HU out. now comes the easy part.
Basically, you just plug in the Ipod interface harness in to whatever connectors that they fit. One of the original connectors will be replaced with the interface harness. It is basically impossible to connect anything to the wrong place. No two connectors are alike.
I chose to install the interface box to the back of the screen unit. This was done so by using some heavy duty sticky backed Velcro I had on hand. We also put some padding strips (included inthe kit) around the box to protect it from vibration, and prevent rattles.
View attachment 163222
You have to find a ground for the new harness....I first verified that this was a good ground with a meter. View attachment 163223
The ground wire shown above was attached so it was behind the plastic to assure it would have a better connection. Rubare insisted on putting it here, and he was absolutely correct in doing so. He had a lot of good suggestions that were hard to argue with. It is these small details that make all of the difference.
View attachment 163224
The Ipod cable was routed through the console using the supplied zip ties to keep the cable from , and we drilled a hole in to the console box using a small hole saw (3/4") sized for the included grommet.
View attachment 163225
And that is about it, except for one thing, the instructions on how to use it basically aren't written for the FX head unit. I still haven't figured out how to use it, but other thatn testing it to see that it works, I really haven't had a chance to figure it out.
If anyone has done this mod, and knows where there are a set of user instructions I would appreciate it much!
I bought the Nissan OEM ipod interface (non-sat radio kit) before Xmas, and together we perfromed the install. To tell the truth, it was a huge benefit to have the extra hands and help to do this mod.
I got a few pictures, no way a comprehensive record of the install, but I will share what I have.
First I recently bought a set of nylon pry bars from Harbor Freight, these things are inexpensive, and indispensible for this job.
If you are doing this mod, then it is probably best to disonnect the battery first. Or do as I did, and at least don't turn on the ignition unless everything is completely connected or disonnected.
The basic order of things is to remove the clock, the shifter knob, the console top, and then the dash cover over the head unit.
To remove the shift knob you slide the plastic cover down, and remobe the metal clip. then the knob slides right off. Be sure not to lose the blue plastic piece. Best to remove it too. and set it aside.
The Factory Service manual has illustrations on how to remove the clock and console, but again, you really need the trim tools for this to prevent damage.
As you go along you will have to disconnect each electrical connection. These can be sticky, but once you pust in the connector lock (using a trim tool helps with this too) they usually come out without mch difficulty. Whatever trouble you have now with getting the connectors apart will be rewarded upon re-assembly. They go back together much easier than they come apart.
You will also need to shift the transmission in to drive to remove the console top.
The clock face has one connector, the console top has four, and the head unit face has two ribbon cables. One of the ribbon cables has a snap in strain relief that will need to be removed with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
Finally you get to the head unit (HU), and you can remove the six screws that hold it in place.
View attachment 163220
You can see the ribbon cables in the picture above to the right of the HU.
To remove the HU, I can't even remember how many connectors there are to remove. Even though it might be possible to install the Ipod Interface by only removing the necessary connectors, it is certainly much easier to remove them all to perform the install.
View attachment 163221
Above is the HU out. now comes the easy part.
Basically, you just plug in the Ipod interface harness in to whatever connectors that they fit. One of the original connectors will be replaced with the interface harness. It is basically impossible to connect anything to the wrong place. No two connectors are alike.
I chose to install the interface box to the back of the screen unit. This was done so by using some heavy duty sticky backed Velcro I had on hand. We also put some padding strips (included inthe kit) around the box to protect it from vibration, and prevent rattles.
View attachment 163222
You have to find a ground for the new harness....I first verified that this was a good ground with a meter. View attachment 163223
The ground wire shown above was attached so it was behind the plastic to assure it would have a better connection. Rubare insisted on putting it here, and he was absolutely correct in doing so. He had a lot of good suggestions that were hard to argue with. It is these small details that make all of the difference.
View attachment 163224
The Ipod cable was routed through the console using the supplied zip ties to keep the cable from , and we drilled a hole in to the console box using a small hole saw (3/4") sized for the included grommet.
View attachment 163225
And that is about it, except for one thing, the instructions on how to use it basically aren't written for the FX head unit. I still haven't figured out how to use it, but other thatn testing it to see that it works, I really haven't had a chance to figure it out.
If anyone has done this mod, and knows where there are a set of user instructions I would appreciate it much!
Last edited:
