is a MP3 interface really needed?

2112 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by south_paw, Jan 16, 2007

kenl

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2006

I’ve been reading about the USASpec, auxiliary input for the factory stereo head unit, but I’m wondering if it’s needed. Can’t you attach an MP3 player directly to the single input on the HU? Does the USASpec unit provide some pre-amplification, or is an interface required for some other reason? Sorry, don’t see the need for it if all you really need is a place to plug in your ipod/mp3 player.

Thanks for the info!

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

amp2oo1

· #2 · Dec 31, 2006

There is no input on the stock head unit. If you want to use a mp3 player then you have to get something like the USA spec (or a rf modulator but no one likes that)

NorCalTacoma

· #3 · Dec 31, 2006

Everyone of my cars has some way to connect an iPod to the stereo.

I have installed the USA Spec on the Taco.

A BMW AUX interface on my BMW.

My Honda has a AUX input on the Sony CD Player that I installed.

hoofhearted

· #4 · Dec 31, 2006

Has anyone found a FM ipod modulator that doesnt suck? I have a Griffin I-Trip that is terrible.

kenl

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 31, 2006

Thanks for the info. I thought that the HU has a pair of RCA jacks, or some other type of inputs, to accommodate a stand-alone cd changer. My mistake. BTW, I have the 6-cd, non JBL unit.

crusty

· #6 · Dec 31, 2006

hoofhearted said:
Has anyone found a FM ipod modulator that doesnt suck? I have a Griffin I-Trip that is terrible.

I would recomend the USA Spec, mine works awsome and took about 10 min. to install.

ZippyTWonderdog

· #7 · Dec 31, 2006

...and just to verify...

The USA spec ipod/aux input adapter does indeed work with the JBL stereo, right?

crusty

· #8 · Dec 31, 2006

ZippyTWonderdog said:
...and just to verify...

The USA spec ipod/aux input adapter does indeed work with the JBL stereo, right?

Single disc non-JBL

Hayduke

· #9 · Dec 31, 2006

ZippyTWonderdog said:
...and just to verify...

The USA spec ipod/aux input adapter does indeed work with the JBL stereo, right?

Yes, it does. . . .

ZippyTWonderdog

· #10 · Jan 13, 2007

This seems to be the consensus, that it does indeed work with the 6 disk changers, bot non-JBL and JBL systems, yet USA Spec's website says it won't.

Has anyone hooked one up to a JBL stereo and have it work just fine? No loss of steering wheel controls or anything?

Hayduke said:
Yes, it does. . . .

TobyG

· #11 · Jan 13, 2007

This seems to be the consensus, that it does indeed work with the 6 disk changers, bot non-JBL and JBL systems, yet USA Spec's website says it won't.

Just to be clear... there are two 6-CD changers. One is an integrated changer in the headunit. The USA-Spec will work with this one. The other is an external changer. This uses the same port on the factory headunit as the USA Spec, which is the reason it won't work with the USA Spec.

kenl

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 13, 2007

TobyG said:
Just to be clear... there are two 6-CD changers. One is an integrated changer in the headunit. The USA-Spec will work with this one. The other is an external changer. This uses the same port on the factory headunit as the USA Spec, which is the reason it won't work with the USA Spec.

Does anyone hae a photo of this port, or of the plug, and a pin-out description?

Thanks!

ZippyTWonderdog

· #13 · Jan 13, 2007

Soooo....with the JBL stereo option...is the 6 CD changer integrated into the headunit and thus allowing the use of the USA-Spec?

And, just to clarify for the rest of the huddled masses out there...is the non-JBL six disc changer integrated into the headunit as well..thus allowing the use of the USA-Spec.

SO! If both the JBL and non-JBL have their six disc changers integrated into the headunit...why is this even a cause for concern?

Sorry to beat a dead horse.

TobyG said:
Just to be clear... there are two 6-CD changers. One is an integrated changer in the headunit. The USA-Spec will work with this one. The other is an external changer. This uses the same port on the factory headunit as the USA Spec, which is the reason it won't work with the USA Spec.

TobyG

· #14 · Jan 13, 2007

Does anyone hae a photo of this port, or of the plug, and a pin-out description?

If you search on USA spec, I'm pretty sure there was a detailed install thread with pics (or links to another site with pics).

why is this even a cause for concern?

Sorry, but when I referred to two, I meant two types, i.e. in-dash or external. Yes, there are technically two in-dash types, but there is also an OEM add-on option which is external. So, to hopefully reclarify, if you load your disks into the CD player in the dash, you should have no problems with the USA spec. If you load them into a cartridge unit tucked away somewhere else in the truck, you can't use the USA spec because that port is already taken up.

timtsb

· #15 · Jan 13, 2007 (Edited)

hoofhearted said:
Has anyone found a FM ipod modulator that doesnt suck? I have a Griffin I-Trip that is terrible.

i got the Roadtrip. not bad, if you go long distances it'll get fuzzy here and there around different cities, but it takes all of about 5 seconds to switch to another clear station. digital display and full range of stations from 88.1 - 107.9

$47.98 by the way from ebay, $57.33 after shipping and ship insurance bought from user "carmelstation". probly the best seller i've ever dealt with, unbelievably fast shipping. http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

south_paw

· #16 · Jan 15, 2007

crusty said:
I would recomend the USA Spec, mine works awsome and took about 10 min. to install.

Only 10 mins? Apparently then you don't have to dissasemble the dash to get to the back of the stereo to integrate the unit with the stereo?? If it's anything like my old 1994 Toyota Pickup (still miss her!), you have to tear apart the majority of the dash just to get to the stereo. It can be quite an undertaking.
I would assume this adapter would also work on a 2007 Tacoma w/JBL 6 Disc as well as, unless I'm wrong, the stereo hasn't changed since the 05 model year, right?

On a another note, has anyone tried the P.I.E. adapter (P.I.E. TOY03-AUX 2003-2006 Toyota Auxiliary Input Converter, http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pietoy03aux.html) ?? It looks to be a bit more compact than the USA Spec, BUT, at the bottom of the specs on the logjam website, they say that the P.I.E. adapter it is not compatible with the newer 2007 stereos

. Like I was saying, I didn't think the stereo changed from 05 or 06 to 07 in the Tacomas, am I missing something?
Any help would be great. I'd love to be able to hardwire my XM Delphi MyFi into my truck using either one of these adapters as the sound quality from the FM transmitter isn't good, plus I keep having to change channels which can be hugely distracting!

See less See more

TobyG

· #17 · Jan 16, 2007

Only 10 mins? Apparently then you don't have to dissasemble the dash to get to the back of the stereo to integrate the unit with the stereo??

Very minor disassembly. Pop the HVAC controls out. Remove four 10mm bolts and pull. There is a thread with pictures in the DIY sticky, IIRC.
Fake edit:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t111143.html
http://homepage.mac.com/ebones/PhotoAlbum13.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t104019.html

south_paw

· #18 · Jan 16, 2007

Hey thanks for the links and info TobyG :clap:
This will be way easier than I envisioned.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.