panel and AC controller are the go to do it correctly. the A/C side of things is PART of the radio panel and as such it's not a moddable (new word -yay!) item. I can take photos (and have done so in the past.) but the question will still come up and I'l still answer it the same way
as for the parking issue - nup! these things spit gears due to age and heat. common ones are on the laser drive and as such it causes a chain reactiion taking everything in the direct path with it.
doing it cheaply, $320 + frieght will net the IPOD lead from me and you can tear the dash down in 20 or so minutes plug it in and you are done. if you have the controls on the wheel then the ipod will drive from there as well.
your call.