[HOWTO] Converting your iPhone dock into an USB port

What you need:
-allen bits
- USB stick
- 15 minutes of your time

Step 1:
Confirm you have this iPhone dock.
Pull the parking brake up to create some space to work in.


Step 2:
Remove the rubber part to expose the allen bolt.


Step 3:
Remove the allen bolt and pull the plastic part up. This is quite tricky, as it takes some force. Pull upwards, towards the parking brake. In step 4 you see a picture of what's underneath, that might help you.


Step 4:
Here you see the clip that was holding the plastic dock part, on the left of the picture. There are also a lot of cables. Follow the iPhone dock cable, and see how it splits into two ends. One of the ends leads to an USB connection. The other leads to a 3.5mm jack. You can easily find the 3.5mm jack and unplug it. The USB is tucked away somewhere else.
Do not unplug any of the other wires.


Step 5:
I took a picture of the insides of the center console, to find out where the USB connection was located. In the back of the picture, somewhere in the dust, there you see it! Pull the USB cable towards you. It will come out and you can unplug it too.


Step 6:
Pull the USB through the plastic dock bit and put everything back together, putting the allen bolt back where it belongs.



Step 7:
Plug in an USB stick.


Step 8:
Set source to USB Audio, and enjoy the music!


note:
It looks pretty flimsy at the moment, I'm planning to get a nice USB panel. Of course, I will update this topic as soon as it's in.

Thank you! Now I think of it... maybe I should move this to the Wiki...

Slackjaw said:

Great - thanks. Also +1 for the lego guy, now I've got "Everything is Awesome" stuck in my head again!

Can you tell me - which stereo unit is that? I've got the Alpine in my 2.5 but the interface is different I think. Yours looks nicer.

Click to expand...

:biggrin::biggrin:

Oh dear, now I have it in my head as well!

It's the Alpine W502 unit. The interface color can be changed in the settings menu when the car is stationary. You can also hit the "style" button in the top right corner to have a different interface
Today, the USB panel parts came in the mail, so I will update the topic as soon as I've built everything.

Did you take a picture of the insides?

m0rph said:

Hi,

In what direction do you pull out the "plastic dock part"? I tried but am affraid to break it...

Thx

Click to expand...

Pull it upward, a little towards the front of the car

I know some players have troubles having more than 255 tracks in one directory or too much directory nesting. Could that be your problem?

Maybe do a disk check in windows, scanning for incorrect files/structures?



OT: I finished the project, installing a USB/Aux port in the USB/12V area.
I took most of the center console apart and then drilled a hole in the part I took out. Sh!tty drillsaw was sh!tty and slipped a little, but this can't be seen anymore since this part is tucked away in such a remote and hard to reach area.



And here it is while in operation: Looks pretty OEM I guess

Thanks!
No, you can detach the bottom lid of the console and route the cable through

I guess it's aux in, but I haven't tested yet, to be honest.