I wrote this up for all the rookies out there like myself. With the help of this forum, I was able to (DIY) hardwire iPod to my TL and my 350Z. I am a rookie who's never taken a car apart. Don't even know how to do oil change!

1.) Product Selections

i) Blitzsafe HON/M-Link1 V.2X. This will probably be the easiest and cheapest way if all you want is listen to your iPod from your factory stereo. Factory XM is retained.

ii) USP Spec PA11-HON2. This will give you an AUX-IN on top of the ipod integration. XM is retained with the PIE HON03-F/MM harness. It also has Direct and Playlist mode to choose from. Playlist mode works like the Acura Music Link. Please note that there's a potential problem with this product. When both iPod and XM radio are installed: some vehicles – when listening to the satellite radio may experience interference, you will need to disconnect the SAT connection as there is currently no solution for resolving the interference problem.

iii) P.I.E. X-3 Multi-Source Auxiliary Input Converter. This product will give you 3 aux-ins. XM is retained with the same harness mentioned above. You will need to pair this with the Blitzsafe UII Univeral iPod Interface. You will have to deal with power of the Blitzsafe UII (ground, switched 12V and constant 12V). You will also need deal with mounting the selection switch.

iv) Harman/Kardon Drive + Play. This will give you full control of you iPod. You will need to pair this with either the Blitzsafe HON/AUX DMX V.2X Auxiliary Input Converter or the P.I.E from (iii). If you are not into retaining OEM look of your car and drill a couple holes in your car, this will work for you. You will also need to think of a place where you want to mount the the display unit.

2.) Experiences

i) This is a new product releasing on 2/13/06
ii) Couple of our members (including myself) have installed this. But no one has installed it with the harness yet.
iii) Many of our members have installed this and successfully retained XM.
iv) Some of our members have installed this. It works really well too.

3.) Paid Installation

If you are going to have someone installed it for you, you are looking into installation fees around $100 for (i) & (ii), $100 - $200 for (iii) and $200 for (iv). Keep in mind that this is a fairly low budget job so shops may not pay too much attention to it.

4.) DIY Installation

You may want to obtain the service manual and the KTC atp2014 Panel Popper Kit. But they are not mandatory. If you searched the forums, you will find many scans of the service manual that are useful. Most people use a flat head screw driver wrapped with cloth for prying.

The goal of the installation is to reach the XM port behind the radio, unplug it and plug in you new device cable. Unless you have tiny hands/fingers, you will need to remove some panels in order to reach the XM port. You will have to remove both silver trims. Member rbf351 has pointed out the easiest way to do it. "open the armrest, and from there start to slowly pull the trim up, it takes some force, but it will come off in a few pulls." You will also need to losen the armrest and push it back, then remove the driver's dashboard lower cover, and finally the driver's console side cover.

5.) Mounting

Most people use the ProClip mount. It's custom built for our TLs. It's really nice but it's also pricy. Depends on which iPod you have, you are looking into $50 ~ $80.


6.) Related Threads

1ii) here, and here
1iii) here
1iv) here, here, and here

I hope this will give you a better idea of hardwiring iPod and save you some time in researching this forum.

 

I installed (ii) with Y- harness, and XM works fine. But it has other issue with input switching

 

Planning to just use the IPod and 1 Aux input for later. Dont want XM.
Thanks for a clear write-up about what's needed and how to go about it.

 

Blitzsafe HON/M-Link1 V.2X. This will probably be the easiest and cheapest way if all you want is listen to your iPod from your factory stereo. Factory XM is retained.

have you or anybody u know installed the the bltzsafe product. Would appreciate your feedback.

 

Will the Blitzsafe - HON/M-Link1 V.2X power my iPod as well?

 

yes it will power the ipod. I installed in in my Acura Tl 04. It is very simple and cheap

 

what do you guys think is the best set up?
I only plan to use it for my ipod and I want to have xm also.
And I have navigation,
so if somone can help me out, that will be great?

 

Has anyone seen the DIY or user experince on i)???

i) Blitzsafe HON/M-Link1 V.2X. This will probably be the easiest and cheapest way if all you want is listen to your iPod from your factory stereo. Factory XM is retained.

 

- Y Harness to keep XM
- Soundgate AUX 3
- Blitzsafe Universal Ipod Interface
- ProClip

 

I was at circuit city and was tempted to buy the harmon kardon drive and play.

But which is better: the blitzsafe or the harmon kardon drive and play?
does the blitzsafe let you see what song is playing?

 

The Harmon Kardon is definitely nicer if you don't mind drilling 2 small holes to run the wires. Don't forget that you still need an aux adaptor to hook up the drive + play unless you want to go with hardwire FM.

 

Blitzsafe HON/M-Link1 V.2X. is cheap and easy to install. Of course the HK looks slick. Using blitzsafe you can control it through your ipod. It doe not show which song is playing.