These are pics of the finished iPod install.

I used the Sik iPod cable (with seperate line-out and power), a Panavise in-dash mount, a ProClip iPod cradle, a 3.5" to RCA audio cable, a Radio Shack auxiallary power outlet and a switch to turn the power on/off. The iPod is hard wired into the Xterra with only 1 cable emitting from the dash.

Enjoy the pics and feel free to ask detailed questions.

looks good

would that work with the head unit that came with the rockford system

Only with an FM modulator...

Excellent looking install. What head unit is that? I assume it has rear aux inputs?

The Head unit is a Pioneer 8400. I have the same model. It has dual faceplates, as the front slides down to show a second display. It does have the ability to use AUX inputs.

Great Head unit, plays MP3's and WMA's. The MP3's can be sorted into a max of 8 file folders, so you can easily store a varity on you disk without having to look for a song.

BTW... where did you get the panavise???

How much did all the hardware cost you? I'm looking into doing a similar install.

Hardware Costs:
1) iPod 40gb - $500
2) Sik imp Cable - $30
3) Panavise in-dash Mount - $30
4) ProClip iPod Cradle - $30
5) Radio Shack Auxiliary Outlet - $10
6) 3.5" to RCA Cable - $5
7) Switch - $3

I think that covers it. Good luck.

Thanks!

Pino i think they are having a sale on Ipods at this CompuSA out here in Sugar Land.

Thanks for the heads up but I've had my 30gb iPod since last summer.

I've been looking around for the ProClip IPod Cradle but the only thing I've been able to find for the Xterra is one that goes on top/center of the dashboard and not on the right side beside the glove box. Where can I find one like you have displayed?
Thanks,
Amee
:rolleyes:

From what I gather:
1) there is still no way to add an aux input by hard wiring into a Rockford Fosgate system's head unit.
2) only alternative is to replace the head unit.
3) with the head unit that was used here, were you able to retain the steering wheel volume and channel controls with the new head unit?

Ameera,

That is the Panavise in-dash mount. Here is the link: http://www.panavise.com/nf/comm/indash/idbrandsearchresults.html?command=search&db=%2Fpvdata%2Fidmodel.db&iddescripsort=1&iddescripsdir=as&byrtype=num&byrsort=2&byrsdir=as&nestatus datarq=H&wosbranddatarq=Nissan

Sorry for the long link but it seems XOC has a limit on how long the link can be.

Just scroll down and select the appropriate year for your Xterra. That should give you the product number.

Good luck.

Thanks!

If anyone has it handy can you post a picture of the back of the Rockford Fosgate head unit?

anyone do something like this with the old ipod?

I believe that is the old iPod, not the new mini iPod.

think he means 2G versus 3G

The install pics relate to the Third Generation iPods (3G).

The 2G iPod would be connected differently because it doesn't have a TRUE line out signal. It also is not compatible with the new 3G firewire dock connector.

yeah, I was not referring to the new mini's. However the one in the picture is the next generation from the one I have. I have the one with the wheel, 5gig.

MaloCS,
Do you have any additional pics of the installation showing how you ran the iPod wires into the dash? That install looks very sleek/cool.

Also, anyone have any recommendations on an available head unit to invest in? I'm thinking I want to chill out until this one is available: Alpine setup , but I'm not extremely savvy in the world of car stereos.

**ADDED: With the head unit setup in the above link, would that eliminate the need to have the iPod visible at all, since it's basically just a hard drive? Thanks.

That's it exactly. The Alpine will display your playlists and songs directly on the head unit itself. On certain 2004 models, Apline added a jog wheel, probably to mimic the iPod interface on their head units.

The other nice thing about having the head unit do the song controlling is I can use my stearing wheel controls to switch songs. Since I prefer to shuffle across either the entire iPod or large playlists, being able to use the stearing wheel controls is a very nice bonus.

While the solution in this thread is really well done (and thanks to everyone for documenting it) I personally am waiting to look at the Alpine solution before making up my mind as to which way I am going. Probably leaning towards the Alpine solution - it would be much cleaner, less stuff hangin around the dash.

Very cool. I have to agree, the more I read into the new Alpine setup the more I get into it.

I wish I knew when it was coming out - closest date I found was sometime in September. But that'll give me time to look over the new Sony and iRiver models (just in case) and determine the best place to store the interface adaptor, iPod, etc. Anywho, thanks for the response.

Hi, I am very interested in getting this Alpine when it comes out. My concern though is the loss of steering wheel controls for the head unit. You seem to imply that these controls are not lost. Is this true? How can I make sure that I can still control songs, volumes, etc from my steering wheel controls with this Alpine? thanks!

The most of the Alpine decks have IR remotes. There are all kinds of repalcement modules that will interface with the steering wheel and then "play" the IR commands as if you were using the remote (typically have to mount the IR sender somewhere - like on the center console).

Not the slickest solution, but since there aren't any standards for steering wheel controls....

Here is one...

ok this is a little off topic, Im def wanting to get a mp3 player, was leaning more towards the creative zen, but im also gonna upgrade my deck next year *most likely alpine*. so my ? is will the alpine only work with ipod *im guessing so* or has anyone heard about another h/u *sony/ kenwood* that might do the same thing with creative, dell jukebox etc? My biggest concern is I just bought the lifetime musimatch which apparently wont work with ipod *although Im hearing confilicting stories on that*.. Sorry if Im a little off but this seemed like a good thread to post to.