Toyota iPod connector

[Uys]

How do you coouple you iPod to the vehicle radio? I am tired of battling with FM transmitters.

Ideas please

 

[teotwaki]

How do you coouple you iPod to the vehicle radio? I am tired of battling with FM transmitters.

Ideas please

I replaced my stock 4Runner stereo with a Scion 160 Watt radio ($50 on Ebay) and bought a cable on Ebay ($70?) that plugs directly into the radio and the iPod, giving me full control of the iPod with all text labels, song counts, playlists, etc. The iPod is also charged.

 

[dustboy]

If you want to keep the stock stereo for the stealth factor, you can add an amplifier under the passenger's seat. I ran the speaker outs from the receiver to the speaker ins on the amp, then I plugged an aux RCA cable into the amp's RCA ins. When I want to listen to the iPod, I just plug it into the cable, turn the volume on the radio all the way down, and hit play.

One drawback is that the volume is then controlled on the iPod, and it's pretty exciting when you plug it in with the volume all the way up!!

 

[iigs]

How do you coouple you iPod to the vehicle radio? I am tired of battling with FM transmitters.

Ideas please

It depends greatly on what vehicle you have.

Some newer stereos can accept an adapter that will display the track/artist names. Other radios can at accept a module that will emulate an auxillary source (but with no display and kind of hacky control). You can't really do much with some of the oldest radios.

In certain cases there aren't a lot of options, but you can do something if you're clever: on my 1998 GS400 I think the only thing I can do is splice into the CD changer analog outputs, and put in a CD with a silent track on loop. Not ideal but possible if you're willing to be flexible.

 

[austintaco]

I replaced my stock 4Runner stereo with a Scion 160 Watt radio ($50 on Ebay) and bought a cable on Ebay ($70?) that plugs directly into the radio and the iPod, giving me full control of the iPod with all text labels, song counts, playlists, etc. The iPod is also charged.

x2 . I put a scion stereo in my 2003 Tacoma. Its very stock looking, but now I have a Pioneer made stereo that plays and charges my ipod as well as an aux jack if I want to plug in a dvd player or other audio device.

 

[CYi5]

USA spec offers a connection for your stock radio. They have either a headphone jack version with extra aux. in connections on the converter, or an ipod jack so it will charge as well as play.

I've had both, definitely get the ipod version (you just hit the CD button 2x to get into iPod mode.)

 

[TOI]

i dont have a radio in my 4runner... yet

but on my jeep i used one of those cassette to CD player adapters and pluged my MP3 player into it. it works great!

 

[trevpiee]

I've ran the USA Spec in my tacoma for several years. Bought it from crutchfield.com... the first unit they sent me was defective, and they replaced it for me no questions asked. Have not had a problem with new one since. It's pricey, but I use it every time I drive.

 

[gearbox]

Go to crutchfield.com and enter the make, model and year of your vehicle; it will show you nearly all the options available. You can integrate to the existing head a few different ways or put in a new head unit.

I chose to replace the head unit completely and am happy I did so. My Alpine cost me ~$200 including tax, remote, dongle wiring harness, and fascia. It charges the iPod and gives a moderate amount of control from the head. Searching and selecting playlists isn't very easy, though. I prefer to unplug the iPod, navigate, then plug back in. Since the space is capable of a double DIN or 2 singles DINs, I was able to wedge in a Cobra CB.
A similar setup that lets you use the factory head can cost just about as much, so it was worth it to go straight to a better head unit.

 

[teotwaki]

How do you coouple you iPod to the vehicle radio? I am tired of battling with FM transmitters.

Ideas please

What Toyota are you driving?

 

[bluedog]

I've ran the USA Spec in my tacoma for several years. Bought it from crutchfield.com... the first unit they sent me was defective, and they replaced it for me no questions asked. Have not had a problem with new one since. It's pricey, but I use it every time I drive.

Ditto. Have one in my Tundra Double cab works great. If you want to replace the radio, I hear Alpine is one of the better for iPod integration.

B

 

[rambrush]

I also run the usa spec in my Double cab. I can control my I pod with my steering wheel controls plus I can also plug my laptop in and use it. My original cable for it was a older one and would not charge the touch. Crutchfield came through with the newer correct cable.

 

[spressomon]

FYI for Gen 2 iPod Touch users: Apple changed something in the latest iPod Touch (Gen 2) with regard to the charging port. Even though my identical (Ok, Ok...so its not quite identical :sombrero Gen 1 iPod Touch functioned perfectly with my Eclipse iPod adapter and '09 Prius, including charging, the new iPod Touch wouldn't charge from either adapter.

So Apple came out with a $20 adapter to fix the problem. Sorta chaps my *** #1 and its adds bulk and inconvenience #2.

But just so you know...

 

[Grim Reaper]

Both my Toys factory stereos long since died. $125 Sony from wally world that has a ipod input on the front for the Previa. Used a $20 adaptor harness that lets me use the RCA outputs of the sony directly into the factory amp. Worked perfect. Sony Stereo's bolt right up the factory toyota mounts.

The 4Runner has a older model Sony that I am about to buy a $29 dongle that will enable the input that normal is used for a disc changer but I will be able to jack in the iPod.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_127AUXONS/PAC-Sony-Unilink-adapter.html?tp=1672

 

[Mc Taco]

I use an adapter that goes into the cassette player. Only use for that really. It has worked well enough. Pennies a day for the length of time that I've had it. It will break on my upcoming trip now that I say that.