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Upgrade Your Car's Digital Clock with a Dash-Mounted iPod Nano

Digital music player mounted in a car dashboard.

Have an older car with nowhere to plug in your iPod? Rather than paying to have one installed, you can mount your iPod nano on your car's dash like Redditor hyeinkali did in his 2001 Honda Accord. Normally, there's just a boring digital clock between the air vents, but it's perfectly suited for a nano-mod. This is a great hack if you plan on getting one of the new nanos or iPod touches, because it gives you a chance to get some more use out of your old nano and its old school 30-pin connector.

Car dashboard audio system with radio controls.

Image Credit gtcarlot.com

First, hyeinkali removed the clock and circuit board, then trimmed the plastic frame to make room for the iPod.

Automotive dashboard switch panel cover in hand.

Image Credit imgur.com

Black plastic car interior trim piece held by a hand.

Image Credit imgur.com

After cutting a hole for the USB cable and adding some mesh, all that was left to do was connect it (if you already have a stereo unit that supports USB input). Looks pretty good, even when the iPod is removed.

Car dashboard hazard light button and air vent.

Image Credit imgur.com

Car dashboard close-up featuring hazard light button and a blank display screen.

Image Credit imgur.com

Incredibly simple, but effective. For more details and photos, head over to hyeinkali's Imgur album. If classic cars are more your thing, check out the Nanobaker, a 1950 Studebaker with an iPod Nano installed in the dash.

Photo by GTCarLot

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check Gadget Hacks' list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow the step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.