2001 3.2TL with the factory head unit installed. I finally got fed up with the CD player, went down to Radio Shack and picked up a stereo jack to cassette connector so I could hook up my iPAQ to my stereo. Just as I had hoped, the system sounds adequately passable for what I need it to do.

However, now there's the issue of this wire I've got running from my casette slot to wherever I plop the iPAQ (which generally turns out to be the larger cupholder in the center section). Interestingly enough, when I remove the cupholders, I notice that there's a hole towards the rear of the unit that connects to the center holding bay. Now, here's where things get fun (DANGER: young engineer brainstorming).

Okay, my thought process:
- I never use the tape player. Ever. I was thinking of making this a somewhat permanent setup.
- To do this, I would have to dismantle the center unit and finagle (or however the heck that's spelled) the wiring around so that the cord from the tape insert somehow goes out of sight. I don't think this would be a problem since the wire is ultra-thin.
- I've got three feet of wire to work with, so perhaps snake it around the inside of the island's casing such that it aligns with that hole.
- Now I've got a cheap and dirty, but highly effective and out of the way solution for my easy listening during my commutes.

To be honest, this wouldn't be the first thing I've attacked with a screwdriver (inanimate or animate ) but I care about my car and I at least want to have some idea of what I'm doing.

Recommendations, advice, help, or words of wisdom/hatred for idiots such as myself are all welcome, though not to excess. Thank you in advance.

 

if i'm following you right, you want to remove the radio faceplate and maybe make a little notch and leave the tape adapter in with the cord residing behind the faceplate to make it invisible. the console comes apart easily enough, so you would be hiding it under there to the "cocaine groove" under the cupholder tray? (some people dont know that if you grab the actual molded inside part of the cupholder and pull up it comes out revealing some kind of hidden little storage groove.

if i'm following you right then i totally think you can do this. if i'm not following you then let me know. although removing the radio face may be more work than you want to do. you may just want to put the tape in as normal and hide the wiring under the plastic molding of the center console.

SSTS

 

Yup, you're following me (not always an easy task). Bang that wire to the right or the left, then run it down to either side of the shifter molding and right into the "cocaine groove."

It's funny you should mention that cupholder "feature" because I found it entirely by accident. One day, I kind of had to force a Taco Bell cup (those things are freaking massive) into it and, upon its removal from my cupholder, it decided to take the whole thing with it. My guess is that the feature is for cleaning, but I didn't look that up in the manual.