5spd97

I just finished installing the ashtray replacement from Sewell and a Soundgate iPod adapter in my wife's 2004 LS430 and I'm really happy with the result. The install was a little scary but not too bad. The threads on this site were a great help. I made the mistake of removing the right and left temp switches which isn't necessary with the non-navigation radio and I managed to drop a screw despite my best efforts, but with. The iPod adapter rocks and sounds great. Thanks to everybody who posted tips on these mods.

Jabberwock

Congrats - I made the same two mods on my car and enjoy them both. No ashtray makes the LS interior seem more modern. The ashtray in cars days hopefully are gone forever. And with an 8 gig ipod in the glove box I have great music for days.

Milan

iTrader: (5)

Being new here too, would you mind posting the links to the DIY threads you used? I'm planning on installing an iPod adapter in the near future. Oh, and we need pictures of the final outcome!!

5spd97

Milan, i wish that I had bookmarked them but I didn't. Your best bet is to a search on the LS430 forum for "iPod adapter" unless someone else has a specific link. I did a bunch of reading before I jumped into it. I put the adapter behind the seat heater control panel on the left hand side and ran the cord for the iPod along the center console and out beside the driver's seat. The nano can lay on the little pad beside the seat that prevents junk from falling between the seat and the console.

anniversar

I just completed my ash tray to storage box conversion last night using a storage box attached to the console trim piece which I found on Ebay for $76 plus shipping. Due to the color difference in the wood, I swapped out just the storage box. I couldn't be more pleased as the storage box is deep enough to hold my Blackberry Storm. I am currently listening to Pandora radio and MP3 files on the Blackberry via the cassette adapter. What do I need to hard wire this set up?

combres

Here is my setup with the cassette adapter. I would like to hide the wires that are used for my sirius, one I have plugged into the center console power adapter and the other comes from the antenna.

The sirius radio I am using a is a stratus 6, which somehow fits perfectly in the ashtray area. I can't close it but I think it looks pretty decent considering there was 0 installation.

For the cassette adapter cord, I was able to wedge it into the side between the wood and the leather and you can't even see it.

I have read it is easy to remove the wood that is covering the ashtray, and I would then be able to hide the wires, but I have to plan the project a bit, Ih ave never had much luck popping things off with plastic pieces.

charlie

m3nv

Nice and clean!