USB connection - from back of radio/head unit

[jonrudling]

Hi all,

I'm looking to replace the radio/cd player in my Chim. (Currently has original with 6 cd changer in boot... which kindly accepted my favourite CDs, and now won't play them, or give them back to me!)

I have an Alfa Romeo Spider ('99 plate) which I installed an Alpine unit in to, with rear USB connection. (Don't like cables everywhere in the cockpit!). I ran the USB cable to the centre arm rest, and inserted a USB connector (as your PC would have). Works a treat, and looks v neat.

Question:
Could I run a cable from the back of the head unit on the Chimaera, to the back of the centre armrest/trunk... without having to rip/tear/destroy anything to do so? (apart from a small hole for the USB connection point... likely to be in the little tray behind your elbow).

Thanks in advance!
Jon

[Julesprivate]

Why not buy a stereo with a front USB connector, mine was £60 and has front & rear USB and front and rear line in...

They sell "micro" USB sticks that when inserted you can barely see...

[Trevor450]

I think you would have to pull up carpet to do so.

I have seen a car with the USB cable in the pouch on the passenger side which would be simpler.

I just use a head unit with front USB.

[Andav469]

I routed my USB lead from behind the head unit and into the pocket under the dash on the passenger side, works a treat and no wires to be seen!

[QBee]

jonrudling said:

Hi all,

I'm looking to replace the radio/cd player in my Chim. (Currently has original with 6 cd changer in boot... which kindly accepted my favourite CDs, and now won't play them, or give them back to me!)

I have an Alfa Romeo Spider ('99 plate) which I installed an Alpine unit in to, with rear USB connection. (Don't like cables everywhere in the cockpit!). I ran the USB cable to the centre arm rest, and inserted a USB connector (as your PC would have). Works a treat, and looks v neat.

Question:
Could I run a cable from the back of the head unit on the Chimaera, to the back of the centre armrest/trunk... without having to rip/tear/destroy anything to do so? (apart from a small hole for the USB connection point... likely to be in the little tray behind your elbow).

Thanks in advance!
Jon

Having had all that in pieces last September, the answer is yes. It isn't difficult.
The main section with the handbrake and gear lever in unscrews
Two screws, one each side, visible at the front corners.
Two or three, cannot remember, under the base of the little tray. The bottom of the tray just flips out , it's not held down, and reveals the screws..
You can then lift the main section out, as the gear lever and handbrake gaiters are not attached to it,they are loose. The rubber gaiters underneath are screwed and glued to the fibreglass panel underneath. Check your rubber gaiters while you are there for wear/mouse damage.
You will find your speedo cable passes through that area, the alarm motion sensor is under there, the wiring for the window switches is there. Some of them may be under the next section down, but all you need is the top one off IIRC. If you have it all out, grease your gear linkages while you are there!
PM me if you want a phone chat.

[Bassfiend229hp]

Why not just drop the USB cable through the bottom of the dash into the well underneath the stereo?

[Trevor450]

Bassfiend229hp said:

Why not just drop the USB cable through the bottom of the dash into the well underneath the stereo?

My iPhone overheats if I put it there!

[Bassfiend229hp]

Trevor450 said:

Bassfiend229hp said:

Why not just drop the USB cable through the bottom of the dash into the well underneath the stereo?

My iPhone overheats if I put it there!

Ahhh .. do you have the heater vents down there then? Mine doesn't...

[Trevor450]

Yeah, it gets pretty hot there even with them shut.

[Bassfiend229hp]

Ahhh ... ignore that suggestion then.

[Julesprivate]

Trevor450 said:

Yeah, it gets pretty hot there even with them shut.

I know - i burnt my bloody ear when the phone rang just as I parked up and turned the hands free off... Picked it up and reminded myself of the "call an irishman whilst he's ironing joke"

[occasionaluse]

Having just carbon wrapped my dash and changed the switches to CBS ally billet ones (great) i put in a kenwood headunit with rear USB - ran cable no problem down centre console/armrest - works a treat - no heat - no messy cables - fantastic head unit as well

[ewan221]

if you just want I-pod or memory stick music try a Sony DSX-S100, no cables to worry about and can pick one up for about £60 on ebay

[TV8]

Not sure about the T5 box but the LT77 gearbox and front connecting USB cables dont go that well together!

[estutjaweh]

whilst re-building my chimp last year I found a cd changer cable from the old owner. They went to the bother of running it behind the heater matrix, past the lower door hinge and through the sill on the passenger side until it came out in the boot next to the fuel tank. I ripped it out saved a few grams and I'm sure the car is now faster because of that :-)