I think the newly redesigned Porsches have only been available for about a month, but we just got a chance over the weekend to add an iPod dock and ZR3 laser shifter to one. This has to be the tightest spot we’ve ever put an iPod dock into, and I think it really turned out nicely and exactly matched the customer’s specifications. Randy Lively - a designer/fabricator and additon to the team from last year - performed the fabrication work on the ashtray area, while Chris McEntyre - a long-term team member and fabricator - followed up with the power and audio wiring. The entire job took six hours to complete, and the customer was rolling again by the end …

As I’ve mentioned before in other tech posts, I really disliked from the outset that I had to use a power inverter to run the MacMini installed in my 2001 GTi. My thinking is that it was a rather convoluted solution to take an electrical system’s output that is 12 to 14v DC, convert it to 110v AC and then step it back down to 18v DC through the MacMini’s power supply brick to make the computer function in an automotive environment. I got numerous emails and comments (ahhh, slashdot) about this aspect of the install as well, seconding my thoughts on how cool it would be if somebody out there made an 18v power supply designed for the MacMini …

This one turned out quite a bit like the Toyota Solara featured in the Gallery. The factory head unit was replaced with an Alpine CDA-9847, while the cable from the KCA-420i iPod control adapter was mounted into the dock shell so that the owner has control of the iPod from the head unit for simple navigation and text display when the iPod is docked. For more in-depth browsing, the iPod can be easily removed, a song chosen, and then re-docked to continue playing through the audio system while topping off the internal battery.
By the way, the first substantial modification to the GTi MacMini install since its original completion is in the works, and you should see a post within a …

The owner of this 2005 E55 was disappointed by the quantity and quality of sub bass that his factory 10″ flat-piston subwoofer produced, and came to the shop looking for increased output with basically no loss of storage space. This vehicle originally had a Mercedes-option storage drawer installed underneath the rear deck, and the customer wanted to make sure that whatever we did gave him the same (or more) amount of dedicated storage while greatly improving the sound in his car and not standing out as something obviously non-factory when closed. Wow. That’s a bit of a challenge…
Well, the attached photos show exactly what we came up with, and I think we hit the mark (thanks to Randy Lively for …

A few months ago, I had a customer contact me who liked the idea of the iPod in the center console area of his mkIV Volkswagen, but didn’t want to give up is entire ashtray area and 12v power outlet to accomodate it, like I had previously done in my own car as well as in a few others both locally and across the country. There are quite a few images of this original full VW iPod console design in the Gallery, and this is still an option that I offer. In fact, the ashtray area in my own GTi (with the MacMini install) is based on this same design, albeit with the addition of a trackpad in the blank …

Matt is moving and his lazy ass didn’t call for his utilties yet so I would suspect you might not see a post from him for a few days. Maybe I will come up with a post or two in the meantime, but it most likely wont be car audio related. Feel free to browse through my PhotoBlog because, well, you love skateboarding too.