Phatbox Installed

[badfish]

A few of you heard and saw my phatbox at the meet tonight.

This thread is about the phatbox, and if you have questions, I'll try to answer them as best as possible.

:dj: :dj: :dj:

[Picklz]

what was the link you mentioned with info on hacking them and such? And where did you purchase yours from?

You should post a few pics too at some point for those that weren't able to see it first hand, or want a second look :)

[badfish]

the link is phathack.com, and there's plenty on mazda3forums.com too.

[Big Nate]

How about some more info on what box to buy and how to make it work in a Mazda.

[mazdamn02]

that was a pretty sweet set up you've got!

[Picklz]

Alright some more info for those who are curious...

This system hooks into your stock stereo, it contains a hard drive (10gb and up) and also has a docking cradle to hook to your computer. You fill it up with music, and create play lists then when hooked into your car it will announce over your speakers the play list name and allow you to switch play lists via the steering wheel controls (I believe).

The Audi and VW boxes will work with our cars after a firmware upgrade from what I understand, just need to get the Mazda Cable. There is a 6 cable for the 6/speed6/3/speed3 and a 3 cable that just works (as far as I know) with the 3. The 3 cable is cheaper and much shorter, will only reach to the glovebox, the 6 cable is much longer (might reach to the trunk?)

A link with more info
http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=41891.0

[RoadRageMotors]

can you post a link to where you can buy the 6 cable

thanks

[badfish]

MrMatt is 100% correct. Zero Cool PM'd me with the part numbers...



Mazda Mazda3 Phatnoise Install Kit
For Mazda 3 part number # 0000-81-L01
For Mazda 6 Part # 0000-81-H01

[badfish]

Both the kenwood music keg, and the phatbox are the same thing inside...just different brands. They are 100% equivelent, just different packages.

[Picklz]

Great info in this thread. You can check local dealers or onlinemazdaparts.com has these items, just search by part number.

[zero cool]

Hey I can flash Phatboxes for people. I have done several now. I flashed the Keg that i sold to Badfish. You can get the phatbox cables from any Mazda Dealership. but you have to have a good parts guy to find them.

Here are the part numbers

Mazda Mazda3 Phatnoise Install Kit
0000-81-L01 this part number is the short cable for the Mazda3 it should be about $35

0000-81-H01 this is the part number for the much longer Mazda 6 cable. both are the same cables just one is much longer as the 6 mounts the PB in the trunk. this cable is about $40-45

The VW/Audio units can be purchased on ebay for about $200-250 with a 20 gig DMS cartridge. these can be hacked to accept up to a 120gig drive. these use a ruggedized laptop drive and there is lots of info on Phathack about it. some guys have actually been able to get a 160 gig drive to work but that requires much more work as you literally have to replace the OS in the phatbox and thats not the easiest thing to do and it has limitations.

There are some older Phatboxes that wont work so stick to the VW/Audio units or the Music kegs.

The Music kegs are actually really cool for Modding. Under the plastic covers is an internal box with a black plastic front lip. this would be an easy mod to put a PB where the ashtray is etc.

The VW/Audi units have this retardedly huge heatsink that performs zero function. its just a big hunk of aluminum for show. But. inside there is just a PCB mounted to a sheet metal base so modding is much harder to make work.

The circuitry is exactly the same for both boxes. The phathack website has many many details about these units.


One thing to be cautious with. is that some people mount these in palces where moisture can get inside. the circuit board will corrode if exposed to moisture so underseat mounting is not a great idea. or trunk mounting where rain could get to it if the trunk was opened etc.

Also, while the harddrives are ruggedized. they are a harddrive and if dropped, can break, etc.

Navigation with the voice prompts takes a little while to get used to. but it sure beats doing 70 and juggling a tiny screen to navigate!

it is stupid that Mazda charges so much for these damn things. Just to fight the man i am willing to help anyone that wants a PB!


Zc