Since I spent quite a lot of time researching this topic without completely finding the answers I was looking for, I thought I would post my experiences installing an iPod interface into my 2005 Camry SE V-6 with the JBL six disc changer.
I recently bought one of the new iPod Nanos - 8Gb model advertised with video capability (the video part which I will likely never use).
I wanted to be able to use this in my Camry and didn't want to use the FM modulators because I was looking for CD quality sound.
I originally started at Best Buy and bought a Peripheral Electronics iSimple interface for $99. The box indicated that it should work with my vehicle, but being a little unfamiliar with the dash setup, I went ahead and had Best Buy install it. Unfortunately, they could not get it to work. In retrospect, I wonder if it might have been as simple as them not knowing to press the DISC button until the iPod was recognized. Regardless, they took it back out, didn't charge for the installation and I returned the unit. Depression set in.
So, back to the drawing board. Doing a little research, I discovered that a lot of Tacoma owners on this board had good luck with the PA11-TOY and/or PA12-TOY from USA Spec. So, I ordered at PA12-TOY from Crutchfield.com for $169 and armed with having watched the guy at Best Buy tear apart my dash and the Cruthchfield instructions (very good), I put it in myself.
To do this, I removed the panel over the climate controls first. It is held in by clips that just snap out. You've got to kinda make the leap of faith and tear that sucker out, but gently. Then I removed the dash around the radio in the same way, just pry and pull until it snaps out. Disconnect the clock plugin and set it aside.
I then removed the 4 bolts holding in the JBL unit in so I could get to the back of the radio. The PA12-TOY just plugs into the back into the open slot. I had to use an adapter cable that came with the unit that converted the plug coming out of the PA12-TOY (thin and rectangular) to a smaller, square one that fit into the JBL unit. Then I plugged in the cable from the PA12-TOY that goes to the iPod to test it all out. Eureka, we've got music!
From there, I ran the wiring back through the back of the radio and under the dash and put the radio and panels back into place. I mounted the PA12-TOY under the dash on a screw above the gas pedal (way above, don't worry). I ran the cable from the PA12-TOY through the dash and into the compartment in the console right below the climate controls (the one with the door that opens and shuts). So, I can hide the wire and the iPod if I want just by shutting the door to the compartment.
The iPod plays on disc 6-1 - you can toggle to it by hitting the DISC button. I can play CD's in the other 5 slots if wanted. Excellent!
Sound is great - some songs are louder than others, but overall, I am satisfied with the volume - it seems in line with CD's for the most part. I can use the steering wheel controls to move through the tracks.
A couple of small things: the PA12-TOY says that it supports text display - song title and artist. When I hit the TEXT button, all I see is "iPod". No biggie. I also couldn't get Hybrid mode to work correctly. When in this mode, the iPod was locked and I could not use it to control the song selection or see what was playing. I just switched Dip Switch 2 down to direct mode and it all works fine now.
Overall, a great setup.
Hope this post is helpful to others.
Best regards,
Ken
iPod Integration w/Camry JBL 6 disc changer
Linear Mode
