Audi S4/ A4 Stealth Installation

[RognStreet]

Hey all, I had to make this iPod installation to work without any scars or leave behind marks. Hope someone else can learn from it :)

1) Is REALLY high on the dash, so you are looking up while you are adjusting stuff.
2) It cost about 5 bucks.
3) it uses no tape or screws.
4) It is stealth in that the mount is hidden in the coin drawer.
5) i HAD to use a cassette instllation.. teh 2004 CD changes are IN dash, so no easily identifiable AUX input.

Check out this link for PIX and descriptions:

http://www.roganstreet.com/iPod4Audi/


Happy Podding!

[mdobilas]

What a great way to "mount" an ipod without spending a dime!
I think some people forget that not all installations have to involve hours of pulling out dash components and running cable and ground loop isolators.

Your install meets all the needs that I have from my ipod:
1. It's held in place
2. It's at or above eye level
3. It's hidden when the ipod is out of the car


Great job RognStreet, thanks for sharing the pics.

[RognStreet]

thanks mdobilas!
This works well with Griffin iTunes too, but you don't get that extra stability the stereo mini offers. I guess a little more time on the cardbaord could yield a nifty design for that too :)

[bhb399mm]

real clean... im going to start an ice link instal on my 04 S4 in a few weeks... pics will be posted :)

check out the instal on my 2002 Jetta VR6 daily driver...

[iGuy]

Come on man, cardboard and velcro? You're driving an Audi. You can do better than that.

[RognStreet]

I find utter Joy in the simple things in life. It's not the cardboard, its the concept that brings me joy. I appreciate the contrast in materials and the humorous undertone of a 5 cent solution in a 50,000 dollar car.

I can also apprecite, however, that a more upscale material would also be nice. Perhaps a well shaped titanium or iPod plastic would set this little idea off. I simply do not have the time. I'm in rural Montana. I dont have direct access to materials and skilled installation labor.

One last thing about the cardboard. Its a prototype. I prototype LOTs of things in cardboard and try it before committing to higher fabrication. For example, in this design, I could do a better job with the geometry and eliminte the need for the cassette / stero rigging. Also, I am finding that I need much less velcro than I originally used...which means I can insert some ventilation holes in the backing to allow the car to cool the iPod in use. These ideas would not work in cardboard becuase the holes would introduce structural flimsiness (is that a word?), but none the less I would not have planned for that unless the prototype worked in the first place.

So I can appreciate your comment. Maybe someone else with an Audi coin drawer can take this idea and fabricate something more durable. If so, I would love to see it :)

Finally, as if the cardboard iPod mount isn't enough to throw you over the edge, I also use a carboard system (in protoype) to mount a DVD player for my kids in the backseat (For both my S4 AND my Allroad) (See Pic)

Let me tell you, after 900 miles on a long road trip with an 8 and 3 year old in the back, that cardboard system looks pretty damn good!

P

[RognStreet]

A Universal Mount of Portable DVD player for Audi Allroad and Audi S4.

once again, cardboard, no installation tape of screws. It works as a center console sleeve /extender. Us the adjustability of the center console tilt with the tilt of the DVD screen to adjust for best viewing height for adults or children.

My apologies for the ugly cup holder... it was either Juice and Milk on my car or the ugly cup holder, I chose the cup holder :)


P

[iGuy]

damn, thats ghetto. good luck with that.

[RognStreet]

HA HA. Yes, the DVD player stuff is, I'll give you that :)

Its only in there when the kids are on a road trip...I don't drive around with that in there all the time.

"Thats ghetto"...damn thats funny.

[iamaustin]

ill trade you a cardboard s4 for your real s4

[bhb399mm]

lol

[RognStreet]

I may have to move up to aluminum foil :)

Im looking forward to that 04S4 install bhb399mm...let us all know when that is good to go!

[bhb399mm]

yeah, i cant wait to get it started either... ill be traveling for most of the summer so i'm not sure when i can get it in my garage and start pulling it apart.... im also alittle woried about messing with the audi warentee... whatever!

[tanakasan]

Great stuff! With your style of install, Audi would never know the difference!

We do a lot of prototyping in cardboard, paper, foam core, poster board and such in the "biz". You would be surprised at the "movie magic" created with just simple, basic items.

You are using the *good* cardboard, right? :D

[RognStreet]

ooh the "good" cardboard?

At the risk of sounding like I have a bizarre fetish, I would LOVE to get my hands on a source for variouse types and grades of cardboard, with no printing on it etc..Know of any online sources? (I'm inMontana, so it would be a hike to drive to SoCal for some nice paper :)

I am always impressed and inspired by the ingenuity behind set design and craftmanship. I get to be on a "lot" now and then, and its quite inspiring :)

[cedricpatrick]

It is ghetto, but they both are really neat prototypes, If you could fabricate somthing nicer out of fiberglass and sell it youd be in business