I need help and thought I'd turn to the KR clan for this one, since I tried in the Audio area and got nothing.

Here's the deal: I really miss the Mp3 player that was in my L. The in-dash 6-disc in my KR sounds great but for long trips I'd like to be able to use my iPod as a source for Mp3s.

I bought and tried one of the FM modulators that plugs into the iPod and is supposed to broadcast on the FM band. It sucked. I understand they all do so I want to direct-connect to the HU. I do this on my home stereo and it sounds great. Perfect for parties: 2,000 songs with no pausing.

Is there any sort of input plug (RCA??) on the 6-disc Ford unit? If not do any of you have any ideas short of replacing the HU?

Thanks in advance!

 

I will give you $100 towards purchasing a new HU if you want to get rid of your current 6 disc in dash changer unit.

 

coopersunc,

there are no rca inputs on any of the stock head units.

Joe

 

Thanks to both of you. I'll post if I decide to change the HU and I was afraid there wouldn't be any access to the unit. Drat!

Oh, well. Just have to change discs more often.

 

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

This is what you need. At the bottom of the page, it says "NOTE: NOT compatible with 2003 models equipped with the 6-Disc in-dash headunit or factory navigation system. " But I have one on my 2003 with 6-disc in-dash for my Delphi XM and it works great. I press "CD" once for CD's and press "CD" twice for XM....

Try it at your own risk, but It works GREAT for me.

Good luck

Kevin

 

CoilFrac,
Sounds cool. Can you give me a little more detail on the install, especially the difficulty. Even if I don't want to tackle it, I could take it to an installer since it seems like a very good deal for the $$$.

I really appreciate the help!

 

if you are going to get a head unit, i highly recommend the alpine cda-9813. i have one and i love it!! check for a pic in my gallery, and www.hookedontronics.com has it the cheapest around $320. good luck with everything

Joe

 

All in all, the install on any car radio is generally simple. You'll have to either complete a wiring harness or you'll have to splice a few wires. If you feel comfortable doing either one of those items, you won't have any problems pulling this off.

Like Joe mentioned, Alpine makes a nice head unit. Personally, I went with a Pioneer and LOVE IT. It'll play MP3s burned on CDR and also regular CDs and thus, I don't have a need for the regular CD side. Nice to have that additional space in the center console.

RP

 

Then there's always the one that does everything, like mine. I have the Clarion VRX925VD which is an in dash 7" LCD that plays DVDs, VCDs, MP3s, CDR, and a few others which I never use. I also got the Clarion six disc changer that is exactly the same size as the console changer in my 2001, so I can use the same bracket and connections.

 

I had a Pioneer Premier mp3 player with the flip down face in my L, however I just like the look of the stock unit in the KR as opposed to an aftermarket HU. (Just my personal taste) I also like the function, size and capacity of my iPod so I think I'll persue Coilfrac's solution.
Will post if it works.
As usual, this board and all of you are great with the help. Gracias!

 

too bad the in dash cd player doesn't have a tape deck too. Then you coulod shove one of those adapters in it.

The auxilliary input thing looks like it should work good. It seems a little pricey for what it is, but I suppose it's not very common.

Personally I would go with a new HU. This would also allow for easy installation of future upgrades that require amplifiers and such. I know how the urge to save $$ is though. I installed a converter on my Expi so I could put in an amp and sub. It works ok, but there is no substitute for having a good HU already wired for the job. There's a lot more control over sound levels coming from the different components. Depends on how picky you are I suppose.

 

Thanks for all the input, guys. I took the webpage printout for the P.I.E. Converter to an installer and they said it will be no problem and a pretty slick install. In fact, they were just finishing install of an iPod setup in a Grand Cherokee that looked really clean. According to these guys iPods are rivaling and in some cases going in with xm radio. I've had an iPod for two years and love it. They are far superior to any of the other mp3 players. Ordered the part and should have the whole deal in next week.
If it works, I'll post some shots of the iPod setup and include some shots of my new billet emblems and antenna.

I am psyched!!

Thanks again to everyone.
Jim

 

Update on the iPod install: Well, thanks to CoilFrac's suggestion, I now have the ability to run my iPod through the stock head unit. Over 2000 songs coming out of a unit the size of a deck of cards. I have the unit velcroed below the dash. The sound is phenominal.

In about a month I'm going have speakers, amp and subwoofer installed.
I also put black billet Ford emblems on the front and rear and installed a billet shortie antenna with the Navi chrome trim piece.

 

Looks like you need to have a warranty replacement of your steering wheel already. The top looks like it is discolored.

I just cut my stock antenna down so it's about an inch taller than the roof of the truck, so I now have a very good indicator of truck height for the parking garages around here. I acetoned the antenna when I was through and it looks like stainless steel to me. It was quite shiny unlike aluminum, so it turned out pretty good. I just popped the ball off the top, cut it down about 3 inches and used lock tite to put the ball back on the top. I also painted the antenna base charcoal blue at the same time. Looks much nicer than the black plastic.

 

You're correct about the wheel. The left bolster on the driver's side seat is getting discolored too. I'm going to wait until I'm a little deeper into warranty before complaining.