My iPod challenge (not your typical iPod thread)

[Art Vandelay]

Hello all,

I have removed the head unit in my 1986 Mustang SVO in favor of gauges, with a lot of wideband/MegaSquirt wiring behind the dash. I have no plans to add another head unit, but I would like to be able to listen to my iPod through the car speakers. Sound quality is not particularly important, as long as I can hear it. What I want is a tiny amplifier that can fit in my glove box or behind the dash, and I will wire it directly to my car speakers. Bonus points if the amp runs on the car's 12v power, and double bonus points if it can charge my iPod at the same time. I am not afraid of buying things off the shelf and taking them apart, soldering, etc.

Any ideas?

[PaulD]

most all car amps run off of the 12V car system. The only thing I have ever seen that charged an ipod was like the alpine interface that played thru their headunits.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by PaulD

most all car amps run off of the 12V car system.

I know, but I meant to say I would prefer 12V as opposed to household batteries. The size of amp I'm looking for is so small that a regular car amp will be way too big, and I've actually found mini amps that run on AAs. I'm going to start looking into the possibility of motorcycle amps.

[PlayStation3]

i had to do this for 1 week once. i got a rca to mini plug converter and i pluged the rca into the input on my amp and then the mini plug to my psp. it didn't get very loud because i didn't want to have to mess with my gains and stuff as it was set for my 4v HU and that was getting fixed. but if i was doing it premately i would get a line driver for it. and wire in a remote turn on switch. but why not just relocate a headunit to the glove box..

[Art Vandelay]

The glove box is way too small for a head unit, and I'm trying to keep the weight down. In fact, I don't even want to run new power cables; that's how small I'm thinking. A few watts so I can hear music through the speakers will be enough.

[PaulD]

not much of a demand for a 4 watt amp, so you will probably have your work cut out looking for one that small. Might be easier to build one.

[pimprolla112]

There are usually cheap amps on ebay (very small). Like 35 a channel made by a company called profile (not the same profile as the california ones). Might be the perfect size for what you need. If you are worried about weight just get an Ipod boom box and sit that in the passanger seat.

I couldnt find one but ive seen them on there for like 20-30.

[PlayStation3]

is this for like a race car because there are ways to make a head unit removel when on the track.

[trtl]

So you haven't relocated your battery to the hatch? Thats usually the first mod on any fun stang. I guess if you aren't interested in sound quality jensen (my god i can't believe i said that) makes or at least used to make an amp that will fit in ur glovebox. its like 5 watts rms and sounds like crap but hey thats what you asked for. Personally i'ld either place the amp in the hatch to run off an ipod if that was necessary, or I would mount a real head unit vertically under the armrest in the console, its been a minute since ive paid attention to the console in an 84-86 stang but if memory serves me itl fit

[bjboertje]

i've seen some small amps at a local pawn shop, i think it was a jensen. it was like 4"X6". you could get a ipod car charger to plug it in to the ipod and use the 1/8" headphone out of the ipod to rca in on the amp.