iPod

[Billy Griggs]

Has anyone found a way to hard wire the new iPod to the ST. The transmitter sucks. I have a 2001 with the 6 disc in dash.

 

[Stephane Bolduc]

I don't have an iPod; I have a H10 from from iRiver, but the principal is the same, UNLESS they made one specific for the iPod (so many accessories available for the iPod only....).



I use an FM modulator; the best for the money, since it's hard wired to the antenna; as opposed to the cheapo wireless thingy you can buy anywhere for 10$.



I bought mine at Circuit City (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Audiovox-FM-Modulator-FMM100A-/sem/rpsm/oid/80974/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do)



If you want a good description of what it does, read this one : http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/reviews/20031230/ipod_car.html?page=2



You can also do a search on the projects page, many people have done it.



The only thing about the modulator I bought, is that you will have to terminate a switch (on/off) somewhere on your dash or anywhere practical.



I have the full middle console, so it was easy to find a spot to hide the box and I tapped the power of the cig. lighter of the same console on the passenger side.



Took me 30 minutes total. The hardest part was to convince myself so drill a hole on my middle console for the on/off switch (which is replaceable for 50$ anyway). You don't have to do that, you can find other locations for it.

 

[Cody Reyna]

I have a transmitter with an iPOD shuffle. I just hang mine from the mirrior and it works fine. But as for wiring it in....... I have no idea I asked some friends the same question.

 

[Robert Stanton]

I bought a new head unit, and Alpine. They make a module that you can plug into some Alpine HUs that treat the iPod like a disc changer. I can choose songs & such through my stereo once the iPod's plugged in to it.

 

[Chops]

Answer: No.



You're right, all FM modulators suck to an audiophile. You sacrifice quality period.

There may or may not be an adaptor available in the near future, but for the price they ask you might as well buy a new HU.



I tried to find a schematic to the radio several months ago ( I could probably wire it in) but could not come up with a diagram.

 

[Derek F]

With the stock head unit, like mentioned above, not much option other then the FM Modulator. The only other option would be if the 6 disc changer also has a tape deck you could use the cassette adapter like you would an old discman. This would require the use of the headphone out on the ipod though which is not regarded as the best sound option either for connecting to your car.



The alpine system mentioned above seems like an ok option but the expense out weighs the convenience. I do want to mention that the majority rule at one of the biggest iPod forums (ilounge.com) is that the current level of technology included in this generation of "complete integration systems" by alpine & pioneer & kenwood is lackluster at best. Some people like them but most don't due to the extreme limitations imposed by the systems. I would say do your research before investing in them. Generic answer I know, but I have been doing my research for the last month and have just now come to a decision myself. At first I was going to go the integration route with the kenwood version of the AI-Net integration adapter. Huge delays and waiting time between scrolling of songs, I remember a complaint of only being able to use something like 10 playlists, character limitations with the onscreen display (depending on head unit) not really being able to search by artist/album/etc.. I read tons and tons of posts on it and just decided it wasn’t for me.



I already have an aftermarket Kenwood MiniDisc Deck, so I opted for a direct connection to the head unit and just operating the ipod from itself as I normally would. The setup I am currently waiting on delivery of parts for is:



An auxiliary (RCA) audio input connection cable that utilizes the cd/md changer control connecter on the back of my Kenwood HU. This provides the RCA auxiliary input connecters for the deck. (pretty much all aftermarket head units from the last 5 years that have a cd changer control have one of these adapters!)



And a special unit made by Peripheral called the PXOD or OminiDock that provides a hardwired 12v power connection for charging/playing and an audio connection in the form of RCA out from one single cord out of the docking connector of the ipod. It has an 8’ cord on it, and this method will eliminate lighter adapter power sockets etc. This will make it a nice clean install with only one connector and true line out sound from the ipod (meaning that the volume on the ipod wont matter as it will be sound only)



I bought this setup from ebay for $75 shipped for both connectors. I am hoping it will be delivered this week, but with holiday delays in packaging/shipping who knows. I will be taking pictures and doing a write up on my install for an update to one of the ipod installation projects for this site as well as posting it on ilounge.com for anyone who is interested..

 

[Dallas Starr]

i was at best buy the other day and noticed that there is a company called "peripheral" that makes kits to allow you to hook up your iPod to a stock deck (and yes there was a couple for FORD). For myself I have an aftermarket panasonic deck with and aux input on the back so mine is directly wired in. Hope this might help.



Dallas

 

[Tabjo]

Maybe this will work?

 

[Raul Avila]

Billy, the adapter from logjam mentioned above works great. Unfortunately it wont work with a 6 disc changer unles it is able to control an external cd changer. My mustang has one of these units so I know they exist. Your options if you want to keep an O.E. h/u would be to switch to a single disk or one from another ford with ext. c/d changer controls. good luck.

 

[Dre L]

It gets worse, to an audiophile, once you upgrade your head unit, all MP3's suck, even when you wire into the aux port.



Then you start making bit-for-bit wma rips, but your mp3 player doesn't play them.



So you end up making CD's with the bit-for-bit copies, and keep the mp3 player in the car for endless music when you can't crank it up, and it doesn't make a difference.

 

[Milky milky]

Hi All. I currently have my iPod Photo hardwired to my 6 cd changer via the ipod2car adapter. It comes with a cable that is connected to your ipod and requires an interchangeable harness for your car stereo. I picked mine up for about $130, adapter and cable combined. Just Google "ipod2car", plenty of hits. The harness plugs in the back of your stereo and you piggyback the existing connection. It also requires power so I just tapped in to the nearby cigarette lighter. I secured the adapter under the cup holders and ran the ipod connector in to the center storage bin (I had to drill a 1/4" hole). I leave my ipod in there most of the time but I left some slack so that I could dig it out and make selections. It works great!. It even charges your ipod when not in use. When the adapter is hooked up you hit the CD button twice and it goes into a "DJ" mode that brings in the iPod audio. The ipod is also controlled by the stereo controls, next track, previous track, FF and RW and that's it. No capability to navigate the menus remotely. I don't mind though, I shuffle all my songs most of the time. When I want to listen to particular song or album I have to dig out the ipod and look for it. I guess if you create playlists (I have not) you can bring them up and use the stereo controls to move from song to song. Complaints: Minor. It doesn't display the song title though nor does it give you the track time. Every once in a while when I switch to the ipod, the ipod seems to be stuck in "pause". I have to hit the CD button a few times or hit the next track button on the stereo before it goes back to normal. Every blue moon or so, the ipod "acts up", sound gets glitchy or it responds slowly. I have to reboot the ipod and then everyhing is okay. Don't know if has anything to do with the adapter but I thought you should know. There is also a little blinking 1:00 and 2:00 on the stereo display that I can't seem to do anything about. I don't mind though, I'm thankful to have my ipod during roadtrips and when I'm stuck in traffic. I never have to listen to annoying radio dj's again!

 

[Sean B]

I just ordered a cable that plugs into the AUX Port on my Kenwood deck. This solution provides the lineout sound, charges the iPod and lets me control the music from the iPod. I tried the interface from Kenwood that allows you to control the iPod from the headunit, but it was really a pain to use. When I returned the kenwood adapter I picked up one of the high end wireless FM modulators...this would work, but I am not real impressed.



So I am looking forward to getting this $40 cable, hopefully it will perform as expected!





I should point out...when I went to order the cable I noticed that their checkout was not coming up as secure so I called them on the phone. You probably want to make sure that they have fixed that before you order online.

 

[Sean B]

I wanted to post an update...



I got the cable yesterday and it works exaclty as promised. Now I just need to figure out how to mount the ipod so that it is easy to get to.