Hooking up iPod to stop indash cd changer (6disk) - 2000 rodeo

Should be getting iPod tomorrow and was thinking of ways to hook it up directly to my unit.

Ive seen a few options available online but I dont want to pay $200 for a few wires so I was thinking of doing some research and maybe hardwiring it myself.

I have 2000 Rodeo that came with 6disc indash changer (that thing itself is a pain in the ass. replaced once).

Apparently I will need a 'auxiliary input adapter' and some other wires, but this is all a bit confusing to me. I just need to know if I will be able to do it at all before I start looking for wires :p

'cause if not, I dont want to waste my time.
Dimitry

[edit]
Found this:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundauxtoy1.html

$70 :/ Not really willing to spend that right now

Also how would I got about taking my unit out?

Thank you
Dimitry

Unfortunatly the links in my FAQ's are dead. The sites are now charging for the pictures on how to remove the radio.

But it is super easy.

Remove the ashtray
There is one screw in the back, remove that
then the black plastic trim ring will pop out and the rest is easy from there.

As for low cost solutions to use your ipod, you could just use a tape cassett adapter (remember the ones that came with portable CD players); if you are lucky you will have one laying around from the 90's.

or

purchase an FM modulator.

and if you are concerned about your ipod battery you could get something like this:

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=572-309007&cat=IPD

I think the tape cassett is the way to go. Plug and play and little getto, but I would think in the next year there will be a couple of aftermarket decks on the market that are ment to hook up the ipod too.

-Ryan

Hey Ryan, thanks for replying that quickly!

FM Modulator is a bit too costly right now for me. Can't I buy an AUX input wires or the unit doesn't support that? That would be the easiest and pretty cheap.

As to the cassette, yep I have it somewhere heh. Gotta find it an test it. I remember though that the tapes were really loud but I also got my whole unit replaced so maybe its not that distracting anymore.

I might pick this one up when it comes out. Good price too:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/smartdeck/index.php

Dimitry

P.S. With that charger and cassette there will be so many wires and it'll be so messy :/ I don't even have a stand for it yet heh

No Aux wires.


FM mod:

http://reviewbuy.com/products.cfm/input_item/B0001F22PA/input_search_type/AsinSearch

good article:

http://www.scoutingaround.com/computers/ipod/ipod.html

http://forums.ipodlounge.com/archive/topic/31503-1.html

control your ipod with your Alpine deck (you need a alpine deck) with this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-49LFn5VNlMj/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=116700&id=essential_info&i=500KCA420I

I've been looking into this myself quite a bit, and here's the rundown:
In order of sound quality (and price), methods of connection
1) Direct hook up through aux input, by far highest sound quality but also the most expensive and requires the most know-how. Not to be mean, but if you don't know how to get your stereo out, you probably want to get this professionally done. You will probably also need to buy a charger depending on what kind of aux input you get, as the link below is one of a few I've seen.

http://www.logjamelectronics.com/soundauxtoy1.html

try above for aux input

2) FM Modulator, not as good sound quality wise, but very simple and cheaper than aux input. This will do for most people with stock equipment. One major benefit is they are wireless (most) so you can use them anywhere. Try to find one that also has a built in charger of some sort.

3) Tape- just as you said, there is a reason no one uses tapes anymore. However, one benefit is that you do have a direct connection to the radio, whereas the FM modulator will transmit wirelessly and some people (including myself with my xm radio) have signal issues. Tape is cheapest.

As far as head units go, here's the deal:
A few companies were making head units in the past couple of years that had aux input for mini stereo (ie. ipod cable) on the front face plate. Maybe a little ghetto, but it's also very easy and you still have access to your rear aux inputs/cd changer port to hardwire satelite radio or whatever else your heart desires. Now, all of the car electronic companies are doing away with the front port b/c they realized that if they did so then people would have to buy an auxillary input adaptor such as the one above to utilize their ipods. You have to remember, these companies still want you to buy their cd changers, so they're not planning on putting rca inputs on the back of their stereos anytime soon.

I'm personally have an aftermarket pioneer with a pioneer cd changer and xm transmitted via wireless fm modulator. I'm scrapping the changer (on ebay) and I'm going to do one of the following.

1) Buy an aux input adaptor for my pionaer, and couple that with this cool little toy to hook up both my ipod and my xm:
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=612

2) OR, yank out both my radio and cd changer, scrap on ebay and buy a head unit that has both front and back aux input capabilities. I haven't quite decided yet.

Hope this helped.

I take it the stock 6 disc changer has nothing in the back to plug anything into, and you have to splice wires to hook an ipod up directly? Ive been thinking about doing sometime like this also but dont want to use the tape player and I dont want to get rid of my in dash changer.

http://club.vmag.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/000307.html

interesting trend.

http://peripheralelectronics.com/iPod2car_Inst.pdf

looks like someone make a code now that hooks up to an ipod.

I'm bringing this one back from the dead.

I NEED to have 20,000 songs at my fingertips.:iceslolan

I have the stock deck in there currently and found an adaptor.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-JQNID9RsLEW/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?I=581PA11TOY

Looks like the stock deck is the same as a Toyota stock stereo?

BUT, I may just install my Pioneer and adaptor since it lets me control the playlist from the deck.

I use the tape method and I’ve always had good sound quality, make sure the Dolby digital DD is on. I like it better then the FM transmit mode which has much worse sound but I think I’m looking to upgrade to the AUX input soon.