Installed new GPS, Honda Music Link, and LED strips on '11 Pilot. *20+pics*

[iggibar]

Started this yesterday morning.
First thing I did was fish a 3 wires for the GPS underneath the curtain airbag. It proved to be the toughest fishing I've ever had to do at the A-pillar. It was REAL tight because of the vanity mirror.
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This is the GPS that had just arrived via USPS. I bought the GPS, Honda Music Link, and Y adapter from different people, and they arrived on the same day...what a coincidence!
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Then I started taking the dash apart.
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I had a dual in-line fuse relay that I had from a previous project, but I needed to modify it to hold a smaller fuse. That was when I found out how cheap crap is when you buy from chinese sweat shops. I could not believe the poor quality of this fuse adapter. It's probably why my camera wouldn't work! The power would go from a thick gauge, to a microscopic gauge. Unbelievable! It should be the other way around! anyways, I cut the rubber molding off, only to find masking tape
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Removed the masking tape to find it looking as if a 2-year old had twisted the wires together. You could take them apart just by breathing on it!
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And a closeup:
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Back to the car.

I pulled out the dash console ambient led, only to find out that it's covered in a VERY dark plastic, which was barely transparent. I drilled out a hole. Much better!
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Next, I spliced into the wire with to clips, which turned out to be crap(pictures with the red/blue splicers). So, I removed some of the plastic around the wire and manually spliced into each wire of the from console's 12-volt jack.
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I then put the fuse/gps plug adapter together(as seen on the seat on this next picture).
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I then attached everything temporarily.
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SUCCESS!!!
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Then, I took the time to figure out a good wiring strategy for the led strips. Accidentally blew a fuse in a quick puff of smoke.
These next three pics are self explanatory. I will be using this switch for the LEDs only.
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As I was installing the wiring for the switch, I heard the UPS's engine roaring onto my street The Honda Music Link was finally in my possession.
I couldn't take a pic of the radio unit's removal because I only have 2 hands, and since I didn't want to remove the power from it, I had to hold it in place with my hand. I temporarily connected the adapter to the head unit with a "Y" adapter(let's you connect 2 things to the back of the radio unit(satellite and iPod adapter)). It worked! The Honda Music Link gives you full controls via your steering wheel(something that is not available on the EX, which was something I knew I could do myself)
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Then I got back to the LEDs...lol...
Finally didn't blow a fuse.
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NOTE: I didn't want these LED strips to be annoying. I just wanted them to resemble something you would find standard as an "ambient" system. I grounded the whole system. I think it came out PERFECT! Better than I had imagined(I thought it would be too bright).

I then put 2 strips of 3M heavy duty double-sided tape to reduce any vibrations, and screwed on the Music Link to the side of the console's support frame.
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[iggibar]

Next was the hardest part. I bundled up all the wires, while trying to secure them to something that would not cause vibrations/noise. I ended up tapping the side of the GPS's "control box" with the 3M tape, and zip-tieing everything with redundancy in mind.
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I tested everything one more time, and put back all the console panels. It works, and these's not a single peep out of it all!
Here are the pics of it completed:
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Best part of it all was that Honda wanted me to pay close to $500 total to buy/install a new Music Link from them! I bought a new one from ebay for $37(free shipping, and the Y adapter for $18.53. All for $55 bucks!!!! I got to spend some good time "fixing" my car, and I had fun...sweet!
Here are the listing if anyone else is interested:
OEM NEW HONDA CIVIC/CRV IPOD MUSIC LINK | eBay
Honda New Audio Y Adpater Sub Harness (2 port) OEM | eBay

I had plans to take a step-by-step approach so I could at least try to make a guide, but I realized how time consuming it was to get the pics right and what not. Which is why I don't have more pics. If you have questions in regards to something, I numbered each picture...just ask if you want to know an in-between steps.

[iggibar]

I forgot to mention that the Honda Music Link's ipod/iphone connection is inside the glove box. It is fully capable of charging all iPods/iPhones, including my iPhone4. The only thing it can't charge is the shuffle.

[desidj]

iggibar,

This is an awesome post! If you were in Chicagoland area, I would get to your driveway the first thing on a weekend. I would love to get all that done in my new 2011 Pilot EX-L with RES.

amazing work and awesome tutorial.

Thanks.

[cofetym]

Nice,Very,Nice!

[dkoenig]

Can you add a parts list (which led strips are you using and maybe links)?

Looks great!

[coffeejay]

Impressive! Good job.