[italiano1980]

So i decided to go a little nuts. I have the standard audio system in my car. So to get a clean install of the tomtom gps system, i pulled out the vent trim on the top of the dash (where the center speaker would go if you had logic 7) and decided to use that as the base for the tomtom. I ran the wires into the dash and down into the console for power, aux input, and ipod connection. That is the plan at least and I am almost done. Looks pretty awesome so far. I'll have pictures when I am done so you can see what I did.

I add the following pictures. Not the best quality since i took them with my phone but you get the idea. It is not installed in my car yet...doing that tomorrow.

[calle_enell]

Pics...please!!!

[veightkiller]

+1 for pics!

[italiano1980]

Added the pics above

[italiano1980]

This is way off topic, but how do you get the pictures to appear smaller in the post???

[Flea7]

looks great! Pics of it installed on the dash and a DIY please!

[Hunter399]

Any pictures of it actually in the car?

[phantom330]

cool idea, very custom.

[italiano1980]

Pics of it installed in the car will be up soon. I have not installed it yet.

[18LLC]

how do u hard wire the power? u buy the wiring kit? and u power it up from sun roof power?

[italiano1980]

All i did for power was run the cigrette power adaptor through the dash and into the glove box. Now i was actually going to get the adaptor that converts the flashlight charger into a cigarette lighter outlet, however, the original wire is long enough that all I do is take it out of the glove box and plug it into the cigarette lighter. Yes the wire is exposed, but i only take it out when i need it and it is still pretty hidden.

I apologize to everyone for not yet adding picture of it actually installed in the car. I will in the next few days.

There is only one problem, and i am not sure if any one can help with this. When I play music through my tomtom, i get some popping sounds, almost like when something is not grounded properly, you get popping and hissing sounds coming in through you speakers. It can't be interference from something in the dash near the wires because it does it even when i tested it out and took the wires out of the dash and just connected everything outside the dash. Also, it seems to happen more when the power is plugged in. I can't figure out what it is. Can someone help?!?!

[BMW_3er]

Very good idea.

More pics please

[Netcub]

would like to see the finished product!

[Gig103]

Originally Posted by Netcub

would like to see the finished product!

+1, it looks like a great idea, we want to see pics of the finished product!

[nmulax]

looks good, lets see it in the car.

[18LLC]

Originally Posted by italiano1980

All i did for power was run the cigrette power adaptor through the dash and into the glove box. Now i was actually going to get the adaptor that converts the flashlight charger into a cigarette lighter outlet, however, the original wire is long enough that all I do is take it out of the glove box and plug it into the cigarette lighter. Yes the wire is exposed, but i only take it out when i need it and it is still pretty hidden.

I apologize to everyone for not yet adding picture of it actually installed in the car. I will in the next few days.

There is only one problem, and i am not sure if any one can help with this. When I play music through my tomtom, i get some popping sounds, almost like when something is not grounded properly, you get popping and hissing sounds coming in through you speakers. It can't be interference from something in the dash near the wires because it does it even when i tested it out and took the wires out of the dash and just connected everything outside the dash. Also, it seems to happen more when the power is plugged in. I can't figure out what it is. Can someone help?!?!

why u need to use tomtom to play music?

[italiano1980]

I added pics of the final install in my original post above

[Gig103]

Looks nice! Plus (although the original pic is gone), it doesn't look so obvious that you have a Nav, like most mounts and suction cups!

[bmwfanatic]

Looks good, but you have to reach far to control the unit, I've try before

[who's ur daddy?]

+1

The reach makes it impractical...

[bmwesabi]

Originally Posted by who's ur daddy?

+1

The reach makes it impractical...

The reach issue could be solved if the GPS had a wireless remote control.
For example the Harman-Kardon GPS 810 provides a wireless rotary remote contol(similar to I-Drive).

http://www.harmankardon.com/guideand...10composed.jpg

http://www.harmankardon.com/guideandplay/gps810/

[Flea7]

Looks Clean! No wires or clutter! Nice job!