Hiding the Ipod Cable?

Hi, im new to the forum having only bought my Stilo a couple of days ago. I would like any help and advice about connecting my Ipod to my car. My current setup is through a tape deck with a 3.5mm jack running from a tape, works well enough but fiddling with my ipod while driving is not the best idea! As i work for an electronics store i do not like FM Transmitters as i find the quality to be poor and would still have me using the ipod to select songs in addition to these i have looked at the Harmon Kardon Drive+Play system and to be honest it seems too obvious and luring to have near where i live! Therefore after seeing many threads i have decided on all the units:

Head Unit: Alpine CDE-9872RM
The system won't allow me to input URL's so the stereo is at Car Audio Direct. (Noted that different colour lights are distracting in the stilo so i opted for the orange/amber colour).

Fascia Adapter
Again im not allowed a URL but this can be found at Clarion World part number :FP01-05
(The second one with a space for the DIN and compartment below)

I have researched how to get the original cassette unit out and replace with new head unit etc (although still a bit hazy about the difference in connectors between the standard Fiat factory fit and Alpine units). But what i want to do is to put the connector for the ipod into the upper glove box compartment so there is no distraction with the ipod or loose wires and it allows me to connect and disconnect the ipod easily after trips. (I don't mind if i can wire it into the 'standard glove box' just like the idea that the upper one is padded saves any scratches !) Although im not sure if this is possible it would be my ideal solution and i have seen a few units around the website that state a connector can be put into the glovebox of a car.

Just to note I have seen Bozzy's idea of padding the lower compartment with the cable attached but i dont think i could pull off a decent enough finish for that!

Has anyone done this? or has anyone had this head unit how easy is it to install? (Dont like my closest halfords!) Any information or help about my situation would be much appreciated and i apologise for the essay!

Welcome to the forum. This has been done and it's simple enough, it's just how far you want to take it to make a good job. There is a channel for the cable to go from the upper glovebox to the head unit already, that's where the CD changer cable would normally go.

The i-pod once in the glovebox can either lay loose or you can come up with some sort of bay for the ipod to dock in/out of easily (bit like mine). Either way it's out of sight so no problem there.

The hardest bit if any is getting the old stereo out. Once this is done the easy bit is connecting the Alpine. Look/search on "wiring" and you will see clear pictures for the additional live feed you will more than likely need. Any problems be sure to post.

Oh yes, any other colour other than amber is a mess.
Bozzy

Hi, thanks for your reply. I think i got the jist of wiring the new head unit and removing the old one (which i am going to try soon).
But here is a problem i think i got my terminology mixed in my original post. As i did it in the dark last nite i did not see two compartments in the glovebox what i wish to do is put the ipod into the hidden compartment above the glovebox if that makes any sense? I have uploaded pictures onto my gallery (i think still new ) that show were i want to put the ipod. And as complicated as i always make things there is no channel for the wire! Although i think i found the channel you mentioned in the 'normal' glovebox (again in the uploaded pictures). So is it still possible to put the ipod into the 'hidden compartment'?

Hi again, it's the upper glovebox that is the usual place for the CD changer. Normally the plastic insert (with soft flock trim) has a cut-out that the CD changer fits into; in your it is not there so you may have to open up a slit to get the cable through. Undo the three screws at the top of the insert and you have access to the channel.

These inserts/gloves are usually about £15.00 on e-bay but if you do a decent enough job on it you may not need to replace it.

You could also (sepending on how long the cable is) route it through the contre console and into the armrest compartment?

Hi, thank you very much for your ongoing help unfortunately my stilo is quite bog standard and there is no arm rest! And the centre console doesnt have anywhere practical to house the ipod therefore i think my option is to unscrew the top two screws in the hidden compartment to locate the channel (if i read your post right).

But i have again come across another problem after trying every screwdriver in the house i have come to the conclusion it needs some sort of star headed allen key to unlock! The toolbox at work however does have one im 100% sure of that so i will try tonight when i start my shift and see what happens!

So in conclusion what i deduced from your reply is that in the hidden compartment at the top is where the cd changer sits, however my stilo has had that covered up so what i need to do is to unscrew the top 2/3 screws with a star headed allen key which should allow me to remove the covering and discover the channel for the ipod wiring. After locating this i will need to make some sort of slit in the covering to allow the wire to pass through. Sorry for being so pedantic i just want to make sure i dont go away and make a huge mess of my car !

Bang on, its a torx screwdriver but I have managed it before with a flat-head of the right diameter.

Thinking back, once the liner comes out you have full access to the head unit/rear of the unit so no need to look for the channel.