Adding an AUX input - PROOF.

[sundarpn]

I had posted this in the Gen 5 forum. Repeating the same here.

I had a taurus before (taurusclub.com) and in the forums there was a article on how to add an AUX in by tapping into the wires from the Audio casstte deck. And many had done it successfully.

Since all Gen5/6 (JBL and Non JBL) have a cassette deck, I always though this could be very much possible.

So today I did a proof of concept. (removed and opened my stock JBL Head Unit).

SEE the pictures as below.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sundar.pn/Audio

http://picasaweb.google.com/sundar.p...29538578803586

http://picasaweb.google.com/sundar.p...29555758672786


The picture shows where the ribbon connector that comes directly from the audio head. As far as I can tell, there are I think seven tracks in the ribbon and hence seven solder points.

he ribbon like connector starts from the audio head where it is like soldered to a total of sevean pin. 3 on the left of the head, 3 on the right and one in the center.

I then took a stero cable, cut one end. Stereo cables have 3 wires in them.

Long story short, I then connected the other end to my MP3 player, popped in my cassette adapter in to Head unit (Just to make it go into tape mode. (I just left the wire from the caseetle adaptor to hang free) and then probed the 6 solder points shown in the picture. I could hear the audio from my MP3 player from the speakers and the audio was not exactly distored.

But there was some crackling etc as I had a tough time getting good contact on those solder points in the small space handling 3 bare wires. Also I had NO idea if I was probing the right pins the right way etc.

But botton line: Need someone here to R&D this more...
If someone here knows more about cassette audio (and may be get his/her hands on the HU's service manual) and has some background audio eletronics knowledge we should be able to NAIL this.

The only trouble using it would be to pop better a cassette adaptor to keep the HU in tape mode. But thats nothing. Also this does not disable your tape player in any way in case you want to play tapes.

[tekdemon]

Well for the units that don't have CD changers they also have a CD changer port that lets you add an aux-in via that port and avoid all this crazy splicing

[Exit9]

iSimple has a series of connectivity products for iPods and other players to connect to the radio when there is no aux input. Some of them insert an adapter in the FM radio antenna connection. Others broadcast FM over the air into the antenna.

They appear to offer high quality conectivity solutions as opposed to cheap stuff that doesn't work or work well. One of their products was listed as a good stocking stuffer by Audioholics, so I figured their stuff must be on the level. Just Google "iSimple" to find their site. I just ordered an JamCastiP for my son yesterday, so I can't verify the quality myself yet. Interesting stuff there.

[Exit9]

Update: Got the iSimple JamCast iP 1 day after ordering (free shipping) for about $75. My son tried it out and it works great. The only thing that might be a negative is that there is a small amount of noise during the quiet time between songs (which my son says is ok), but everything else is good as advertised. I did not have a radio which displays song data, but the unit sends this information to the radio and it should display if you have the right kind of radio. It comes in three pieces: a cigarette lighter power adapter, and a power cord to the transmitter/display. The transmitter/display plugs into the bottom of the IPod. No radio removal or installer required. Simple plug and play. The cost is not bad considering it works well and a lot of alternative solutions recommend professional installation, which is said to be about $90.

[shotgunjimmy]

han even more simple solution is to buy a headphone jack to cassette tape adapter. i got one at walmart for about $8. It works very well in my Chevy S10's cassette deck.

[L-Burna]

Originally Posted by sundarpn

I had posted this in the Gen 5 forum. Repeating the same here.

I had a taurus before (taurusclub.com) and in the forums there was a article on how to add an AUX in by tapping into the wires from the Audio casstte deck. And many had done it successfully.

Since all Gen5/6 (JBL and Non JBL) have a cassette deck, I always though this could be very much possible.

So today I did a proof of concept. (removed and opened my stock JBL Head Unit).

I'm not sure if you'll see me attempting to solder my cassette decks head but that is an AWESOME concept, I find those tape adapters to be shit. And my stupid es300 has an unusually shaped stereo.. .so i might have to do something like what your suggesting. thnks

[gameguru1360]

have you tried checking with crutchfield to see if they have a dash kit for your vehicle if you go with a single din unit??

[L-Burna]

im in New Zealand, apparently DNA designer audio in Austrailia has them for $115+freight!!! fuck!