DLO released their updated version of the Homedock Deluxe a few weeks ago. The Homedock Deluxe allows you to browse music and videos from your iPod on a television screen with a wireless remote. This new version displays album art, has mutliple themes/colors, and allows you to browse your videos from your remote. I do not care for the ability to dock my iPod to my home entertainment system, but I had another idea. What if I could integrate the Homedock into my car? Music videos, movies, and gigabytes of music on the road!

I drive a 2003 Jeep Liberty Limited. Luckily my car was already equipped with a 6.5" dash-mounted LCD screen and a audio receiver that accepts audio in through the rear of the headunit. Now all I needed was the Homedock Deluxe, cables, and some creativity. I ordered the Homedock Deluxe from DLO's website a few days later and waited for delivery. Once I received the dock I started a list of things I needed to make this happen:

• iPod video 30GB
• Composite A/V cables
• Infrared remote repeater/extender
• DC/AC power inverters and power wiring
• 8"x10" Plexiglass
• Black spray paint
• Brackets, screws, double sided tape, couplers. etc.
• Tools

I decided the best spot to put the dock was in the center armrest console. There it would be easily accessible but hidden when the console was closed.

I started by disassembling the console area and preparing all of the wiring. Once I had everything apart I could get some measurements and think of some feasible ideas for the application. I decided to use two power inverters, one 100watt inverter for the IR repeaters and one 150 watt inverter for the Homedock. I wired the 100 watt inverter to the fuse for my sunroof, so that the IR repeaters would be powered off when the car was off. I wired the 150 watt inverter straight to a accessory power outlet that draws power even when the car is off. This way the car would keep the iPod fully charged at all times while docked. Hopefully my new battery and alternator can handle this!

Since the dock would not simply fit flush in my console, I decided the cleanest install would be to shorten the deepness of the console and make a custom bottom, and hide the dock underneath. I used a Dremel to cut about 4 1/2" off the bottom of the plastic "bucket" and cut a piece of plexiglass to size. I then cut out a whole in the plexiglass for the actual iPod plug and stand on the dock, to pop up through the plexiglass. I painted the bottom of the plexiglass black with spray paint to create the glossy iPod-like finish. The next step was to stack up the newly shortened bucket (top), plexiglass (middle), and Homedock (bottom) and attach the 3 together with L-brackets, double-sided tape, and screws. Once this was complete I had a one piece "sandwich" bucket that I could simply drop into the console and screw down. But before I did this I needed to find where to place the IR receiver and transmitter. To my luck, the receiver fit just right behind my GPS navigation in a little cubby hole. I placed the transmitter in the center armrest console in line with the Homedock, underneath the new bucket.

The final step was to put everything back together, clean it all up, and test.

Success!! The black glossy iPod look for the bottom came out nice, but I decided to put a non-slip rubber "skin" over it, to prevent scratching and things sliding around in there. I affixed the DLO sticker that came with the Homedock package to the rubber skin. I can create different skins when I get bored with the DLO. The material I used for the skin is actually kitchen cabinet liner I found at Lowes.

What's next? I would like to be able to navigate through my collection from my factory steering wheel controls. I will probably try the PAC SWI-X Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface. Which should allow me to program all my steering wheel buttons appropriately. Controlling my entire iPod collection of music and videos from my steering wheel on an LCD screen! Does it get any better than that!

Questions, Comments? Want more details or pictures? Please email me!

All DLO logos, pictures, etc. are property of Digital Lifestyle Outfitters. I have no affiliation with DLO nor did I obtain permission to use their name/logo.