Well the other day I went to best buy to pick up an iSimple to hook up my ipod to my factory Head Unit. They wanted $150 for it and $50 for instillation... Well I said screw that and went to the net... Found the same one on Amazon Brand New for $75 shipped (paid on Saturday, recieved following Monday)... I've done some searches and didnt find a whole lot on installs so I figured I'd do what I can.

I drive a 05' FX4... so it might be different for some people. Here is a link to help you remove the head unit and front face. then I'll show some pic's of what else i did. Full Radio Removal

Remove All but the Fan Speed harness on the HVAC


Remove 6, 7mm Screws.


Remove 2 7mm screws from side of console and pull on side to release small tab


Everything Removed


Center Console and Rear Drink Holders removed


Used Step Bit to drill hole for 8pin Cord for Ipod Hookup


Another Picture from inside


Now leave enough cord to be able to move around ipod and to the Media Gateway. Run it under the Center Console and run it by the gear shift and back up through this hole


Run 8pin Cord to the Media Gateway showed in the pic.

 

Then put everything back together. I forgot to take pics of reconnecting the wires. but they are pretty simple. just follow the instructions. Although on the back of the HU there is a spot for a 24pin, 16pin, 8pin connectors. I made the mistake of reconnecting the 8pin connector but after I put everything back together it didnt work correctly. So I had to go back in and disconnect the 8pin and then It worked fine. humm, Oh and I guess I didnt take a picture but there is a "dipswitch" on the Media Gateway and you have to turn "Dipswitch 1" to the ON position.

iPod in final Location with everything Put back together


Final Take. HU Displays song Title, and you can control iPod from radio controls.. Browse Playlist, Artist, Songs, Albums


Well hope this helps someone or you atleast find it interesting. Product is
iSimple: Ford Lincoln Mercury (ISFD73)

 

Whoops, didn't realize I put this in this section. If a mod wants to move this over to the the multimedia section its cool with me.... I guess it does work in this section as well.. oh well

 

Does that only work on 6 disc head units or all of them?

 

It works on the single disc. I have one in my truck with my 08 single disc stock player.

 

Install must be crazier for the single unit becuase the BrandMotion unit for the 6-disc changer is a helluva lot simpler than that.

Good install though. It goes in nice.

 

His was so difficult because of where he routed his iPod wire. My install for my single unit took about 10 minutes at the most. I routed the iPod wire to my glove box. If you're good you don't have to remove the radio at all, making for a super fast install.

 

yeah, I thought about running it to my glove box, but figured I would do it a little different. Had some free time so thought I would just jump in there haha... And yeah if I had known a little more about the radio it would have been easier and done without removal of radio.

I thought about the brandmotion, but those are so expensive... What do they do different than the iSimple?

Stealth, you said you have the single cd set up... My buddy has an 05' F250 SD.. He has the same CD player I believe... It has the AUX button, but the box says only fits 08' F250, but may work with other models... do you know if this would work on his?

 

I could never put the ipod in my console, I'd never find it with all the junk in there!

I bought a single cd deck from an 08 F150, didn't want to press my nluck with the 05 deck, plus the 08 has chrome rings on the *****, compliments the vent chrome rings nicely.

 

Shanks, I've got an older version of the iSimple that works with the 05 radios.
No longer need it. PM me if your interested.

 

Nice install Shanks. All I did was take the top trim piece off the counsel box and then rotozip a hole.

 

Are you sure...his OEM stereo shows its a CD-6.
Also, I'm pretty sure it doesn't work if you have Sirius/XM sat radio and the Aux button (the info is probably on their website). I did the '07 tray mod and the iPod works great, but wish I had the charging option and that the song/track appeared on the stereo readout. I like this mod but only if it co-existed with Sat radio. I better do more research on this!

 

That looks like it works pretty good. I would want it in the center console too. Are there a lot of brands that integrate with the factory HU like that one? I'm pretty interested now.

 

The older version of the iSimple like I have does not work with sat radio, you had to unplug the sat box so you could use the ipod. The new versions allow you to keep the sat radio hooked up and you can choose which to listen too.

http://peripheralelectronics.com/

 

I'd be interested in the older version you said you had for an 05. Will it work on the single disc? I'll take it off your hands if the other guy passes.