$50 well spent

Just recieved my Metra Ipod adapter today from circuitcity.com. Install was super easy and it works like a champ. I was definately not wanting to change out the factory deck, short of buying a $1000+ double din DVD/nav unit. (Which really wouldn't solve anything and totally can't justify either) The adapter was worth every penny.

 

50 bucks you say, hmmm.

 

I'm gonna do the same thing real soon. I'm glad it worked out for you.

 

So what's the scoop with this thing? Does it let you control the ipod through the main radio? What about charging? If it does this, the $50 sounds good.

 

There has always been alot of talk on here on whether or not certain ipod adapters would work on the JBL 6-disc in-dash. I was really worried it wouldn't.

No, this particular one doesn't allow you to control your ipod through your exsisting controls. For a set up like that from this same company runs about $150 or so I think. IMO not a big deal. It does, however, charge your ipod. The only thing that caught me off guard is I thought this unit already came with the 3.5mm headphone jack integrated in for use with ipod shuffles and non-ipod mp3 players. So I just bought one from the store down the street.

 

Just an FYI, the deck isn't made by JBL, so you won't get help from them - so far, I know both Panasonic and Fujitsu have been manufacturing them (the decks).

 

Ok. I guess the JBL logo through me off. My mistake.

 

Well, I could be wrong too - I have the non-JBL package 6 disc, and it's stamped "Panasonic", and another guy had Fujitsu, so maybe there's JBL as well, and the list goes on?

 

I looked it up on circuitcity.com... is the part # AIPTY02ID? Also, where did you run the connectors? In your console? In your glove box? Do they just drop down below the radio? How long is the cord?

Last question... I read a review on circuitcity.com and the guy said that he just pushed the 'disc' button twice and the radio was tricked into thinking there was a disc changer, and that's how you hear the iPod. Does anybody know if this will work with the factory 6-disc changer (non JBL)? I don't want to buy it and find out that it won't work b/c the radio already has a changer.

Thanks!

 

The JBL's are trimmed in that mesh silver molding, I think the non-JBL's are black. Never paid any attention to the brands. Thanks for the comment though.

Yep, that's the one I ordered. I ran the connector through the hole that is between the head unit and the heater controls. One of the head unit wires run thru this same hole. Then thru the back of the dash and over to the glove box. I was thinking about drilling a hole in the compartment on the right hand side of the steering wheel and routing the wires there, but too much shit in the way behind the dash.

The cord is about 3' maybe 4'. Long enough to route it to the glove box and still be able to sit it in the right hand cup holder. Ideally it would be nice if it were about a foot longer, but it's not a big deal. 007Tacoma and argm31i both have good pics showing head unit removal and wire routing.

When you have it hooked up, and you push the cd button it changes from cd to cd1.(atleast on the JBL) Do you have an in-dash 6 disc or is it a seperate changer unit? If it is in-dash it's aux/cd changer port will still be available. If you have a seperate 6 disc you would have to unplug it from this port.

Hope this helps

 

My non-JBL looks exactly like the JBL except for the "JBL" logo and whatever enhanced functionality. I've seen black radios on Ebay, but I'm not sure why they're black. Maybe to match the interiors of the trucks they're in?

I'm buying an in-dash 6 (non JBL) from a guy who is replacing his with a pimp-tastic aftermarket stereo. I'm going to replace my in-dash standard radio with the changer, and was thinking of adding the iPod adapter while I had it open. Your answer was absolutely helpful. Thank you very much!

 

Got any pics? Hows the sound quality? Good as or better than CD?

 

No sorry. But 007Tacoma and argm31i have alot. I referenced 007's pics and stereo swap walkthrough before I did mine. Speaking of which I believe I owe 007 some rep.

Sound quality is as good if not better than cd. I guess alot depends on the quality of the individual music files. Plus you have the added benifit of tweaking the sound through the ipod's EQ.

 

I record my music in high quality. I can't stand low quality stuff. I can't even listen to the radio because it sounds "empty" to me. If that makes sense.

 

Yeah, same here. Some files I've gotten from other people have been pretty bad. If it's music from an artist I really like I'll keep the files, if not I'll delete them. I'm really don't like listening to the radio either. The only reason I do is to listen to a popular morning show put on by 106.5 KWHL here in Anchorage.

 

Augh, I hate to do it, but I'm going to be nitpicky once again. There's so much misinformation in car audio though!

Unfortunately, you need to know more about the media Justin is playing. The quality is dependent on the connection, components, and media.


If you want to pull up the armchair, read on:


MP3 files are compressed audio tracks using a 'lossy' compression format - some information is lost as the file is shrunk. You can tell how much you lose between the bitrates of your MP3. The more compression, the lower bitrate, the smaller file size, the crappier the sound. No matter the bitrate, you are still losing quality from the original CD
However, using WMA or Apple lossless codecs result in lossless compression, which have the ability of being equal to CD quality. This is probably Justin's case since he is using an iPod (and buying his songs, riiiight? )

Really the answer is that the iPod works well in conjunction with the deck, and there is no noticeable quality loss from the aspect of the components or connections. The EQ of the iPod allows for greater sound control, which may result in a better sound.


Man, semantics are going to be the death of me - I really need to stop caring. In any regard, nice job Justin! Rep to you for finding a solution!

 

I bought an ipod hook up that connected to the back of the radio, but unfortunately i have to have the jbl radio i think to have it work, so i got it installed then the person realized it wouldnt work so they had to put my radio back in. The guy who sold me the radio knew it wouldnt work so i decided to return the 150 ipod hook up (which plays through the radio and charges it) and went and bought a new Alpine radio.

 

This thread and this one are very similar. I thought I'd hook them up for anybody looking for more info. (The thread in the link is a bit older, but has activity as recent as 7/26/08 prior to this post.)

 

You are correct. The Metra has been around a long time and many people on here are using it. It is great for the price.