HELP I want to play my Ipod!

Okay, enough with CDs. Ill play them if I have to, but its almost 2012 and I am tired of having to burn a CD every time i want a new playlist in my car. I have read a few threads on a "DIY how to install an AUX" (some great threads there btw), but before I go and screw up my great looking interior (sort of a newbie here), I want to make sure no one has an easy solution, or a great tip. I am thinking of finally doing it this weekend, but was hoping for some input from you trusted souls before I do anything reckless.

Here is the most helpful thread that I have read so far on installing an AUX input into a stock stereo: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...iy-aux-input-2005-2008-factory-head-unit.html But I really hope it doesn't come to me trying to do this myself and end up costing me $$$ in a new stereo (this one with and AUX in it )


Its a 2008 SR5 TRD Access with stock stereo. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Haven't seen that before..

But if you don't want to screw around with things just get the USA Spec PA15. That's what I did and it's easily the best money I have spent on the truck.

 

Im looking at the website asap, but where does that plug in to? I still have to take out the radio right? And my stock radio will have this input ready to plug into?? I thought only the JBL one's did. Something to do with being XM compatible? Is yours stock?

 

It plugs into the external CD drive I believe. All you have to do is remove the stock head unit and just plug the USA Spec unit into where it says.

It's just plug and play, took me all of 5 minutes to get it done and put back together. I have the JBL system and it's all stock but I've never heard of it being JBL specific, but I could be wrong.

 

^ It will plug right into the back of the non JBL stock stereo.

 

Anyone else want to give your 2c? I was under the impression that only the JBL ones were able to accept this kind of cord. I guess I could just find out when I take off my stereo, but I don't want to buy the USA SPECPA15 if it wont' work with my non-JBL radio.

 

It will plug into your Stock NON JBL head unit. There is a spot right in the back to plug into as that's what I have. This was my first mod. Super easy... I ran it to my center console - good location also.

Here is a thread with more info and removal/install instructions
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...pa15-toy-ipod-interface-install-question.html

 

would it help if i took a picture of the back of my non-jbl head unit, it's already out of my car, i have a 2006

 

it's a single disc unit

 

I did it with my stock non JBL stereo. I didn't like it though because I like it loud, and it would never turn up that loud for me, so I sold it and got an Alpine CDA-117 and never looked back.
Others have said it is loud for them though.

 

A pic would be great!

And I have heard of a sort of amplifier that has seen some success for people who complain of a volume issue: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/143732-aux-volume-boost.html

I do hope it is that easy, I am willing to spend $30 if It really will work.

 

White Widow, saw your post. Great video on that thread as well. So where did you hide the small unit? Then how did you run it tot the center console? Will you need more wires than what the SPEC PA15 give you?

 

Where exactly to I get the SPEC PA15 for less than $100? I cannot find it very cheap anywhere. I was hoping to make this DIY thing a cheap alternative...

 

if I remember correctly, when looking at the back of the headunit, the 2nd plug on the left is not plugged into anything when it is stock.

 

I bought one on Ebay for $120. The wires they give you are fairly long, I just ran them into the glove box and the unit they sent and my Ipod stay in the glove box. I like the USA Spec unit better than the aux input because you can control the Ipod from the head unit and the head unit will display what's on the Ipod. FWIW, it was plug and play on my 2007, single CD, NON JBL head unit. Very easy installation.

That write-up you posted looks neat but I wouldn't go messing around with the factory radio's circuit board unless I knew what I was doing. I'm not good enough at soldering to attempt that.

 

Great. Thanks guys. Really glad I asked. Otherwise I would probly end up on the end of buying a new stereo to replace the one I destroyed. And to think... all of this because of a single apple product?????

BTW I found some on Amazon for $104. Might just go with that and call it a day. Thanks again everyone.

 

I did the DIY aux input and I was pretty pleased. Absolutely no noise even when I leave the 3.5mm male connector hanging. Of course, make sure you use shielded wire going towards your female plug. I also made my own 3.5 mm male-male connector opting to use the plug that has a metal housing.

Since I use my phone as my source, my stereo system also becomes my hands-free speaker phone which is very convenient. For as long as you don't "play" anything with the phone, the CD is playing but when somebody calls you, the phone signal cuts-off the music and your phone is now on the car's stereo.

Not only that, since I have unlimited internet on my phone, I use Pandora to listen to the music genre that I like and TuneIn app to listen to radio stations from the other parts of the world.

This mod also has so much better sound quality (not to mention, volume) compared to the FM transmitter that are available in the market. And with a big enough storage capacity MP3 player, you can drive all day without having to worry about radio commercials.

If you are handy with tools and have good soldering skills, I HIGHLY recommend this mod.

OOOOpps! I almost forgot to mention that it cost me less than $5.00 for the female plug and the metal 3.5 mm male plugs. I had shielded wire leftover from previous projects.

 

It's a great product, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. It was one of the first purchases I made back in 2007 for my Tacoma and it still works perfectly. Easily one of the best purchases I've made for the truck!

 

Sorry, a bit off topic but, +1 to the OP for doing his homework and having an idea of what he wanted to accomplish before asking TW for some help.

 

You don't need any extra wires, I just drilled a small hole in the coroplast w/carpet thats in the center console and the IPOD just stays in there.
I hid the small unit under the cup holders, there is a nice spot to wedge against carpet and metal so you wont get any rattle vibration sounds. As far as directions for console removal, i cant seem to find the thread but its super easy, like 6 screws is all. If I want I can pull about 2-3' of wire out if someone in the backseat wants to mess with it and then tuck it back in. Works awesome... I saw some posts with volume issues, I havent had any, then again its a STOCK stereo with stock speakers...not gonna be winning any awards with it anyways.