Car Installations: what do I need?

[Gooseman]

So I've done the whole iTrip thing, and I was less than pleased with the quality. I don't have a cassette player, so one of those adapters is out of the question. Now I'm looking to hardwire my iPod to my car stereo system. I've never done anything like this (for the record, I'm using the stock audio system on my 1997 Nissan Pathfinder), so I'd be very appreciative if you all could guide me in the right direction.

What do I need to do it?
Can I install it on my own?
How much damage is this gonna do to the ole bank account?

I'm not looking for anything fancy at the moment; I'm on a tight budget here. All I want to do is be able to play my songs in my car.

[flashpunk]

well..
depending on what kind of head unit you have, and what kind of fabrication you want to do, it could be really cheap, to very expensive.

What I did was just modify a cup holder to hold a dock that Is hard wired into the radio (through a FM Modulator that is hidden behind the dash).

http://www.flashpunk.ca/ipod/silverdash2.jpg

[flashpunk]

this:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3093659757&category=32831

is the FM modulator I bought, (i dont have it yet, so i'm not sure what kind of quality it has, but i'm pretty confident it will be lightyears ahead of the Itrip). I will let you know as soon as I get it and install it.

[Gooseman]

Thanks for the response. That's a nice looking installation. Is an FM Modulator effectively the same thing as an iTrip, just a lot more powerful?