Hardwiring 1999 VW Jetta

I used the behind the radio approach with the Blitz on my 2003 Jetta and the most time consuming part was trying to get my bozo dealer to either sell me the tools or pull the headunit. They pulled the hu for me, but since I ended up fscking with the install more, I just bought the tools from enfig.

My discoveries:

- lotsa room behind and underneath head unit.
- my ipodding my car was in multiple phases - so i've removed the headunit 4 times. enough to justify the cost of the removal tools so i wished i had jsut gotten them when i ordered the blitzsafe from enfig.
- the ground loop isolator did nothing to quiet the really faint whine i got from alternator - returned it. the noise wasn't that bad to begin with
- chris at enfig - really nice guy
- the three vw dealers in greater New Orleans area have sucked and continue to do so

FWIW, I got a second Belkin Auto kit on ebay for 11 bucks (incl shipping) theres enough room to snake an extra cig lighter and the Belkin along with the Blitzsafe under the radio (on 2003 model at least) so you might think about it once you have pulled head unit.

also, your headunit may not require "special" tools. I saw a kit at walmart that will pull almost every hu but mine for 4 bucks.

hth

Originally posted by ferradas

You mention a ground loop insulator, what is that? An extra item I need? Is it an easy install?



It's a filter that you add into the audio lines between the Blitzsafe and your iPod. It's the recommended way to clean up audio problems cause by stuff I don't know baout or need to understand. If you ahve a whine in your speakers, this should fix it. In my case the whine wasn;t bad and the hiss it seemed to add made it worthless.

I'm not familiar with the Belkin auto kit, what does it add to the Blitz unit?



It's for dock connector ipods:

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=2062&pcount=&Product_Id=149006

It give you power and a line out option. Note that it does amplify the line out, but I found an acceptable volume. People have modded it to have it bypass the amp, but that's way beyond my paygrade.

You will need to get a 8mm to dual rca wire to go from the belkin to the blitz. I got a fairly decent MOnster one at radioshcak for 11 bucks. i like it b/c it charges the ipod and the single wire to the ipod snaking out of the dash looks good (to me)

Does the radio pull staright out? Or did youhave to take other components out?



Sraight out. Make sure of what you need to pull it out - you;d hate to waste money on a tool you didn;t need. Also note, if you attach the ground to the screw coming out of the back of the radio (at least on my double DIN monsoon) you'll want a nut to attach it.

If I count the cost of the ebay Belkin (vs the one i bought online) I think the whole thing cost 70 for the blitz, 14 for the monster cable, 11 for the belkin, 6 bucks for the extra cig lighter, 17 for the radio removal tools. i'd like to next get an add-a-fuse (2 bucks?) and attach the cig lighter to a switched fuse so the ipod will pause when i turn off the car.

i spent another 20ish for an arkon mount and cradle. it was all pretty damn easy to do (and i know zip about this stuff) and to me very worthwhile...

Originally posted by ferradas
I actually don't mind the sound quality from the cassette adapter e.

i used the sony tape adapter and was okay with it - the wires everywhere drove me to hardwiring it. HUGE difference. You'll be pleased.