PolarDog

Okay, I have ordered a DEI 530T module (~$60) and have mapped out the wiring. More to come... PolarDog

I believe that it is. Working on this now...

I did this mod today, with the switch. It works as advertised, although I must say my back does not flex like it used to! Nice work on the details! PolarDog

Finally figured it out: The harness that I used to connect up my bluetooth carkit did not have a lead that connected the dimmer connection all the way through to the headunit. A bit of splicing magic and we are back up with instrument panel lights!!!

Well, dag nab it! I've got a similar problem now too! My radio and climate control displays light up and function properly, but when I adjust the dimmer switch, they go from the brightest setting to the dimmest setting, with no adjustment in between. I notice also that the lights under the buttons for the radio (the numbered CD buttons, audio buttons, Balance button, am/fm/cd selector button, etc) AND the climate control (the AC, Mode, Fan speed, defrost button, etc) do not light up at all whether the lights are on or not! The red dash lights (around the tach and speedometer, etc) work and dim just fine. Are the lights under the buttons on the radio and climate control fused separately?

Sounds good. Many things up in the air recently...

When do you leave for work? I'm on 53 Northbound around 7:30ish after I drop the boy off in SCH... I seriously owe you a call...

2006 OBW 5EAT Obtusian black...

Hoovman, Glad I could help. Just a note on the retractables: I tried the earphone variety from ZipLinq and found that the "catch" ability of the unit wears out quickly. When I extended the cord and released the tension a bit, I expected it to lock-in at a desired length, and it did for a while. After a few weeks, I found myself becoming a yo-yo master and now the cord only locks when the cable is fully extended. Perhaps it's a fluke. In any case, I hope you have more luck than I did. PolarDog

Hoovman, Here are the pictures of the dock as requested. Hope your install goes well. PolarDog

I did this mod just today even though the weather was cold outside (-2 F). I probably spent waaaaay too much time trying to get the terminals out of the front harness (I ended up cutting them). All works well except I think I need to adjust the wiring near the rear dome light because I think it is rubbing against the sunroof shade. Thanks for the great Mod! PolarDog

Hoovman, Since there is only about an inch of extension after the dock comes out of the armrest, the movement left or right is only valuable in moving it out of the way in case you want to use the cupholders. The dock is ~6" long and I would agree that it could be a bit longer. That said, the dock does rotate (so that the iPod is perpendicular to the ground. I've used it for the last few days and have not had any problems. Further, the Jazzy install does leave the option of unplugging the dock and using another connector (like the Belkin cable). I figured that there would be some tradeoffs either way, and since I have used a cable before, I opted to try the dock solution.... I would post pictures, but the board isn't allowing me to do so just now (I will try again later, or send me a pm...) PolarDog

You have a keen eye Stringfellow, yes I modified the dock. No modifications to the armrest and, with a slight push down, the armrest closes completely and a bit snuggly (Can I use that word? "Snuggly"?). The modification to the dock was nothing more than plugging it into the power plug in the armrest and bending the dock so that it (and the iPod) sat in the desired alignment. Then I took a pen and marked the plastic casing along the inner and outer edges of the armrest slot. After removing the dock, I took a razor blade and stripped away the casing and used grey electrical tape to ensure the casing did not unravel any further (highly unlikely even if I didn't use the tape). No fear whatsoever with the dock or any of its internal wires being cut as it seem extremely overbuilt (to borrow a phrase, you can "Chuck Norris" the dock into position). One tip: use the o-ring that comes with the unit (snaps around the edge of the plug that is inserted into the power outlet). Without it, the unit is a bit loose when plugged into the outlet. The flexible metal reminds me of the stuff used for microphones on lecture podiums. Total time was 60 seconds... The iPod is very easy to get into the docking station. Just slide it in and it locks in place. It is also easy to get out: squeeze two buttons on either side of the docking station and it comes out. The dock can be twisted so that you can still use the cup holders. Ben: Yes, that is the SOA armrest extension. It has a goofy button on the top that allows the armrest to expand upward a whopping 1 or so inches (personally, I think the Subaru engineers could have done a better job with this, but I am learning to live with it). The placement of the dock does not impede with the operation or movement of the armrest. In fact, when the armrest is up, it kind of hides the iPod, and when the iPod is removed, you can't see the dock at all. Hope this helps! PolarDog

With the boy taking his afternoon nap, I had some time to complete the install. So, I took my time and lucky for me I had no trouble with loosening screws, cables or components. Installed the board as per instructions and tips. I connected the male-to male 6' cable to the board and routed it through the armrest extension. I plugged the GLI in so that it was accessible without any future tear-apart, and then connected the GLI to this dock: (http://www.tentechnology.com/products/products_flexibledock.php). When all was said and done, no trips to Radio Shack were required and no extra connectors or couplers were used. The iPod can be connected quickly with one hand (no fumbling with a connector cable each time I get into the car) and it is within quick reach while in the car (see pics). Now for the Emmy speech: I think any comment of thanks to Jazzy will be grossly understated, but thanks very much Jazzy for your effort and the detail in your work. Thanks for the many other tips in the posts. They were ALL helpful and some were entertaining (going Chuck Norris on the console and going Hogmeat-style.... Man, you cannot buy these types of very useful and accurate descriptions... I wish I could offer some great tip on the install, but as I look back, they were already covered! Thanks again Jazzy and thanks again everyone! (queue the music, go to commercial...) PolarDog

I hope I am not repeating any previous posts, but has anyone tried this thing? http://www.tentechnology.com/products/products_flexibledock.php BTW, Jazzy, I got the board. Thanks again for your patience and hardwork! I will be installing it as soon as the GLI comes in (I too received a positive email from Crutchfield...) Best regards, PolarDog