successful 1998 volkswagen gti install

[themolecularman]

i installed my ipod into my car last night. i had been using an itrip, but i was tired of the bad sound quality.

i drive a 98 gti with one of the newer style radios (power button in bottom left and big round scan button in the top right). in the back of the radio i installed a blitzsafe vw/aux dmx v.3. for a line out from the ipod, i bought a sik imp. i like the imp because of the removable car charger. connecting the imp to the blitzsafe adapter is a griffin rca to mini-jack cable. the cable runs back behind the center console and comes out near the bottom of the glovebox. i can tuck it up out of the way nicely.

i am waiting on my panavise mount and proclip holder from enfig motorsports. those should be arriving any day now.

this was a very easy install and the sound quality from the ipod is great. if you guys want pics, i can take a few.

[ZippZopp]

I have a 1999 VW jetta wolfsburg with probably the same factory installed head unit. I want to hardwire my Ipod in. I have a 6 disc changer in the trunk that has been busted for a few months now. Correct me if i'm wrong but it is my understanding that with this PIE Converter http://www.pie.net/catsec_aux.htm I can get it to work. Is this correct, is that all I'll need?? it is my plan to just buy that, hook that up in the trunk and run a wire from that up to the glove box where i can connect my Ipod. I was planning on getting the VW-Aux which would connect in the trunk. Is that the best route or would it better to get the VWR-AUX and connect to my head unit.

can anyone who is experienced with this tell me that is correct, or do i need anything else?

I'd like to see some pictures of your install as well!

[themolecularman]

i'm not 100% sure, but couldn't you just disconnect the cd changer from the head unit and use a cable that plugs into the back of the head unit?

like http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pievwraux.html

that would save you having to run a wire all the way from the trunk to the glove box.

[ZippZopp]

yea, i suppose i could do that. i've never done any car audio stuff though...
is it pretty easy to pop the stock head unit out and get everything plugged in and wired? i notice that the unit you suggested has the rectangular box, will there be room to store that behind the head unit or will it be complicated to find a spot for that etc...

i guess what i'm tryin to figure out is if this is feasible for someone who doesn't know much about this sort of thing

[themolecularman]

it is really easy to do.

you need these two thin tools to pull the head unit out (your local dealer will have these). i was actually able to use the same ones that my dad uses on his porsche radio. you stick the tools into the slots on the head unit, they will grip inside the unit, and you pull it out.

once it is out, on the back of the head unit there should be a blue 8-pin connector. that is the cd changer cable. it clips into the head unit. disconnect that from the head unit.

i used this aux input unit: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzvwauxdmxv3.html

take the blue connector on the new unit and plug it into the head unit in the same spot you took the cd changer cable from. connect your rca to mini-jack cable to the rca inputs. you then just have to run your rca cable from the back of the head unit to the front of the center console or glovebox. that is also easy to do.

i found that there was plenty of room behind the head unit for the adapter and the big box that comes with it.

it is a really easy install. give it a shot yourself :)

i will try to take some pictures tomorrow night.

[themolecularman]

i forgot to mention, the aux input also needs to be grounded. there should be a plastic cap that covers a screw on the back of the radio. i connected the ground to that screw. i used a proper nut to make sure the wire stayed on the screw.

[ZippZopp]

sweet! pictures would be fantastic!!

i was looking at the description of that blitzsafe you linked me to. is that pretty much the same as this PIE http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pievwraux.html the only reason i ask is b/c i can get the PIE for 60 bucks....

also, i noticed that they both have a description that reads, 'Compatible with all models of 1998 - 2004 Volkswagens equiped with a radio that has a "round" scan button and has the 8-pin connector at the rear of the radio (non pre-wired for a CD changer)' what is the pre-wired bit all about???? how do pick which i need? my jetta is a wolfsburg which when i bought it brand new came with a 6 disc changer in the back

i hope these questions weren't too dumb, i just want to know what i'm doing and what its all about when it comes time to install it all. thanks so much for your help, i really appreciate it....