Audiophokes, I pod to factory truck stereo, how to ?

fastfredracing · 01-06-2015, 08:41 AM

Preparing for a road trip, and the 6 cd changer in my 04 dually now has 6 cds stuck in it and won't play , or eject them.
Looks like plug in adapters are pretty pricey. I would be better off to just replace the whole radio, problem is , I like the factory radio. It is a bose, sounds great, and looks good in it's hole in the dash, plus , I'm on a time crunch, and don't have time to install a radio .
How do those little frequency transmitters work? I had one a long time ago, and it was marginal at best .
Any other quick easy ways to play my ipod through the old radio?

id10t · 01-06-2015, 08:50 AM

Is there an aux input you can plug into? Either on the face of the radio, or perhaps on the back side.

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

We used an inexpensive FM transmitter for our kids to play their movies through the car radio. It worked well enough but we had some whine from the alternator because both the DVD player and the transmitter were plugged into a splitter. When used with an MP3 player it was fine. We have a cassette adapter in the truck but I would assume you don't have a cassette player in yours. (Our truck is 15 years old now)

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I installed an iSimple kit to my stock Toyota stereo. The cable sits in my center console, works great. iSimple Solutions | Get Connected

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Frequency modulator plugs in between antenna and radio- antenna in, box, antenna out, then into radio. Tune to whatever frequency and there you go. YOu only get radio quality sound.

If it's not an in-dash 6 disc (shouldn't be) I'd pull the changer lid off, plug it back in and unstick the cartridge.....Happens now and then.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

PS don 't forget the GM mini plug adaptor, you'll need it if you use FM Modulator.
Metra

jpk · 01-06-2015, 01:18 PM

You should be able to add an auxilliary input to the radio; have a look here:

How To Add Ipod To '04 Silverado - Audio, Electronics, OnStar, & SiriusXM - GM-Trucks.com

masraum · 01-06-2015, 01:23 PM

I had one of the RF transmitters in the past. Some work better than others, but I don't think any are great. I had a Grom ipod unit that plugged into the back of the stereo that worked well and gave great sound, but it did require pulling the radio which these days usually isn't that hard. Maybe 1 - 2 hours for most vehicles. I think they usually run $100-200. The sound was great since it plugged into an unused plug for a CD changer in the back of the unit and allowed some control of the iPod from the stereo controls. Some even include Blue Tooth modules. Next to a stereo replacement, that's probably the best bet. What is available for your vehicle will depend upon the year, vehicle and stock stereo. Even so, you'll probably have to order from the Internet, wait for delivery and then install.

It sounds like your best bet is an RF transmitter since it sounds like time is of the essence.

patz · 01-06-2015, 03:38 PM

I just replaced my stock econo box stereo. Alpine head unit, $149. Has a USB port and I plug in my 80gb iPod. Didn't even bother with a CD player for the extra 30 bucks.

campbellcj · 01-06-2015, 08:39 PM

We have a few cars old enough to have no Aux or iPod inputs but new enough to have decent sounding systems with CD changers and cassette decks (LOL). The FM transmitter things are a pain to keep re-tuning as you drive around, and the sound quality is pretty awful. Hokey as they are, I prefer the cassette tape adapters as they sound acceptable and are dirt cheap when they break/wear-out (which is pretty frequent.)