Iphone/Ipod 3g Dock in ashtray
12-03-2008, 12:59 PM
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Hi All,
I had an idea to make a ashtray dock for my iphone 3g, since I have the Ipod integration kit for the e60 already.
I didn't want to buy this item,
http://stores.homestead.com/2point5/-strse...0V2I/Detail.bok
A premade dock / plastic piece that costs $180-190 dollars. That's just ridiculous for a piece of plastic!! cmon now!
So i was thinking, I can definitely make one a lot cheaper.
But there were some problems that occurred. First, the ipod kit does not charge the new iphone 3g. So I bought a power converter so that it can charge the iphone while using the ipod features.
Next, I wanted to fit the plug into the ashtray so I can easily insert or remove the iphone to my car. The other problem was that the iphone passport is a huge rectangular piece. There's no way that it would fit in the ashtray.
I bought cable jive's dock extender and was able to take it apart and insert it into the ashtray.
Now I drilled a whole into the ashtray and was able to get the cable into ashtray casing. (sorry I dont have pics for this process, I did it on the fly and used some Epoxy, which got very messy real fast).
I bought a ipod adapter dock (like 5 dollars, and painted it matte black, the piece comes in white).
In order to hold the cable in place along with this Ipod dock adapter I used Epoxy and filled up the ashtray. After a few minutes of holding the Ipod cable, and the Ipod dock adapter in place. BTW, epoxy gets real hot as it hardens. I was surprised and thought my hands were burning (even with rubber gloves on.)
Once that was completed, I tried to clean up the epoxy, but it was really messy on the silver part of the ashtray, so just painted the whole ashtray and ipod dock again. (its really messy and i have to redo this).
After that was all done, took apart my middle console and was able to place the cable and passport inside, and plugged it into the ipod integration kit, and works.
And the ashtray cover closes perfectly.
Here are the pics below for all the pieces. And as you can see, the dock still is a work in progress, I just have to sand it down and repaint it. Anyone got any ideas on how I can find a thin plastic piece and just place it over the whole ashtray? (So i dont have to paint it)
Enjoy! If you have any questions, post away and i'll try to help you guys do this. This can be used with any ipod also, but not sure about the shuffle. I was able to use my g/f's Ipod video and my old Nano.
Iphone 3g Power converter (to use with old chargers, like Ipod integration kit)
So that I can permanently attach it to the ashtray and not mess up the original ipod integration kit.
put on top of the ashtray and epoxy so the cable can stay in place.
Yes I know its messy, dont' worry, I'll clean up the paint soon enough. i'm just so glad i did this without buying that darn dock for $180 dollars!
I had an idea to make a ashtray dock for my iphone 3g, since I have the Ipod integration kit for the e60 already.
I didn't want to buy this item,
http://stores.homestead.com/2point5/-strse...0V2I/Detail.bok
A premade dock / plastic piece that costs $180-190 dollars. That's just ridiculous for a piece of plastic!! cmon now!
So i was thinking, I can definitely make one a lot cheaper.
But there were some problems that occurred. First, the ipod kit does not charge the new iphone 3g. So I bought a power converter so that it can charge the iphone while using the ipod features.
Next, I wanted to fit the plug into the ashtray so I can easily insert or remove the iphone to my car. The other problem was that the iphone passport is a huge rectangular piece. There's no way that it would fit in the ashtray.
I bought cable jive's dock extender and was able to take it apart and insert it into the ashtray.
Now I drilled a whole into the ashtray and was able to get the cable into ashtray casing. (sorry I dont have pics for this process, I did it on the fly and used some Epoxy, which got very messy real fast).
I bought a ipod adapter dock (like 5 dollars, and painted it matte black, the piece comes in white).
In order to hold the cable in place along with this Ipod dock adapter I used Epoxy and filled up the ashtray. After a few minutes of holding the Ipod cable, and the Ipod dock adapter in place. BTW, epoxy gets real hot as it hardens. I was surprised and thought my hands were burning (even with rubber gloves on.)
Once that was completed, I tried to clean up the epoxy, but it was really messy on the silver part of the ashtray, so just painted the whole ashtray and ipod dock again. (its really messy and i have to redo this).
After that was all done, took apart my middle console and was able to place the cable and passport inside, and plugged it into the ipod integration kit, and works.
And the ashtray cover closes perfectly.
Here are the pics below for all the pieces. And as you can see, the dock still is a work in progress, I just have to sand it down and repaint it. Anyone got any ideas on how I can find a thin plastic piece and just place it over the whole ashtray? (So i dont have to paint it)
Enjoy! If you have any questions, post away and i'll try to help you guys do this. This can be used with any ipod also, but not sure about the shuffle. I was able to use my g/f's Ipod video and my old Nano.
Iphone 3g Power converter (to use with old chargers, like Ipod integration kit)
So that I can permanently attach it to the ashtray and not mess up the original ipod integration kit.
put on top of the ashtray and epoxy so the cable can stay in place.
Yes I know its messy, dont' worry, I'll clean up the paint soon enough. i'm just so glad i did this without buying that darn dock for $180 dollars!
12-03-2008, 01:14 PM
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pretty neat! good job, 
i just hope it doesnt feel off on sudden stops and bumps, does it hold your phone ok???
i just hope it doesnt feel off on sudden stops and bumps, does it hold your phone ok???
12-03-2008, 01:18 PM
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My Ride: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i
Model Year: 2004
Originally Posted by BALASUBAS' post='737202' date='Dec 3 2008, 05:14 PM
pretty neat! good job, i just hope it doesnt feel off on sudden stops and bumps, does it hold your phone ok???
i just hope it doesnt feel off on sudden stops and bumps, does it hold your phone ok???
Creative Super Mod for IPOD users!
12-16-2008, 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by nigxdoof' post='737187' date='Dec 3 2008, 01:59 PM
Anyone got any ideas on how I can find a thin plastic piece and just place it over the whole ashtray? (So i dont have to paint it)
real carbon fiber 8x11" sheet with 3M adhesive backing is $16 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/carbon-fibe...sQ5fAccessories
or 36x25" carbon fiber looking decal for $6 shipped
12-16-2008, 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by einstein57' post='746683' date='Dec 16 2008, 05:42 PM
real carbon fiber 8x11" sheet with 3M adhesive backing is $16 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/carbon-fibe...sQ5fAccessories
or 36x25" carbon fiber looking decal for $6 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/carbon-fibe...sQ5fAccessories
or 36x25" carbon fiber looking decal for $6 shipped
12-16-2008, 02:25 PM
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Hey Mike, did your 3G iPhone come with a dock? If so, why did you choose not to use it and instead you chose to use a different dock? I'm thinking if you were to use the original 3g dock then it would seat more form fitting.
GREAT JOB!!! BTW
GREAT JOB!!! BTW
12-16-2008, 02:28 PM
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My Ride: 2004 E60 530i, 2012 E70 X5 35i
Model Year: 2004
Originally Posted by AKAlius' post='746699' date='Dec 16 2008, 07:25 PM
Hey Mike, did your 3G iPhone come with a dock? If so, why did you choose not to use it and instead you chose to use a different dock? I'm thinking if you were to use the original 3g dock then it would seat more form fitting.
GREAT JOB!!! BTW
GREAT JOB!!! BTW
And no, didn't come with a dock. lol. Also, I use my g/f's Ipod and my old nano sometimes with the car dock, so if I used the 3g dock, no other things would fit. figured it would be universal.