Bluetooth FM Transmitter

[extra-medium]

I have wanted an aux plug or something for a while and didn't want to put out the money on buying and installing a new stereo. I picked up a Bluetooth FM Transmitter from Walmart which plugs into the cigarette outlet. I had plans to mount it on the dash next to the radio. Since the Mountaineer doesn't have the 4x4 buttons to the right of the radio, I figured that was the perfect place. I popped the bezel off around the radio and took the plastic piece out that goes where the 4x4 buttons would.

I took apart the transmitter and clipped the ends off that were soldered into the cigarette plug. It has a USB port but does to the size of the opening it can't be mounted one the piece inside the bezel, I'll work something up later for that. I got it so the transmitter was just the head and the arm without the base. I drilled a hole into the plastic piece just barely big enough to fit the arm in and then hot glued it in place. When it's light outside I am going to tap into an accessory that gets power when the ignition is turned on to give the transmitter power. Once I put the USB port in the dash I'll tap into the unused plug under the center console. More pics once it's all complete.

I am trying to figure out how to bypass the circuit board and run power straight to the plug on the transmitter. I can run power to the board through the red and black wire, but didn't want to have the board just hanging around since it's too big to mount anywhere. I just need to figure out which color wires the red/white/black go to in order to run power straight to them.

 

[extra-medium]

In the process of trying to hook everything up using the circuit board, the male header pins broke off. I ordered some new header pins and am waiting for them to get here. I ended up mounting the board to the same piece as the transmitter and cutting a hole out for the USB plug. Once the new pins get here I can solder them on and hard wire into the fuse panel using the stereo fuse for power.

 

[TechGuru]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-JVC-KW-R710-Double-Din-CD-Car-Audio-Stereo-Receiver-KWR710-/401279478673

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-KW-R710...tereo-Receiver-For-Android-iPod-/291907371091

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_905KWR920B/JVC-KW-R920BTS.html

 

[extra-medium]

I have looked into aftermarket head units a bunch, I want something that works with the factory sub and my steering wheel controls. I was looking at other options so I didn't have to spend more for a new head unit, wiring, and dash kit, and then install. But, after my attempt at wiring/electronics (I hate electronics) I think I should have gone that route to begin with. Since the small circuit board on this thing has broken more and more with anything I have tried to do, I think it's wise for me to quit where I'm at and get a head with the features I want.

 

[TechGuru]

Go touch screen video screen if you can. Just don't go single-DIN, they're ugly.

You MUST buy a trim kit no matter what you get.

 

[extra-medium]

I would prefer a touchscreen head unit, but it's not a deal breaker if it's not. I definitely don't want a single din, I feel like that would be stepping back in time. I have seen some touchscreen head units on amazon that have no CD player that are only a couple inches deep that I have been debating about.

 

[TechGuru]

I would prefer a touchscreen head unit, but it's not a deal breaker if it's not. I definitely don't want a single din, I feel like that would be stepping back in time. I have seen some touchscreen head units on amazon that have no CD player that are only a couple inches deep that I have been debating about.

I've actually heard good things about them chinese android headunits when used with a external amp, no idea if the internal amp is any good.

 

[extra-medium]

I have the audiophile system so I have the factory amp w/ subwoofer. I want something that works with iPhone, but it's not a must. I found a couple at crutchfield I like. One of these days I'll go into their showroom and see what's in there.