How I got a cheap solution to my Sync woes.

[Aronedu1]

Like many of you, i have been unfitting my PIU. One of my biggest gripes has been sync, and the small screen issue of not having many cheap options to go aftermarket.

I tried for a year or so to find the best solution to my problem, even considering a dual system since I did not want to buy the expensive aftermarket kit. A few days ago, I stumbled upon a weird screen that lets you use it for Carplay and Android Auto. Basically the idea was to run that as the unit, and have it connected via Bluetooth to a fm transmitter.

This was tempting but it was still too expensive. I had read of some gadgets that you could plug to android units and that let you run carplay and android auto. This was interesting since, effectively every android stereo is basically a phone. I got curious and bought one, a USB dongle and waited. I had spare android phones around, so for me this was the cheapest route at around 100 dollars Canadian. I cannot believe it actually worked- so much so, I want to make a tutorial and review for others stuck in the same boat, which i hope to post in the upcoming days. I have this beautiful set up that works and only issue is that it runs Bluetooth rather than aux in. if you are patient, you could buy the mod to have aux and this, and you effectively got an android auto, carplay system for under 150 bucks. If you have no spare android phones, you can do it with a fire tablet but that requires more work in modding the tablet to run android.

I also have bad news for anyone seeking the Aux in via the CD player that my pioneer unit motherboard is a mess, and it was impossible for me to hardwire in an aux cable.

 

[Aronedu1]

Here are some links in the meanwhile to clarify some of the elements I was talking about:

CD via Aux: - Nearly impossible, spend 2 hours trying to figure the schematics on the CD unit (Pioneer).

Also attempted the mod of making the antenna a aux in, and it was not compatible.


The Miracle Dongle:
Example of the interface:

 

[DHG2496]

Here are some links in the meanwhile to clarify some of the elements I was talking about:

CD via Aux: - Nearly impossible, spend 2 hours trying to figure the schematics on the CD unit (Pioneer).

Also attempted the mod of making the antenna a aux in, and it was not compatible.


The Miracle Dongle:
Example of the interface:

this is really cool. I have a 10”LG tablet that might work perfectly for this same application and hadn’t thought about just using one of those android adapters on it. I figure the space where the top speaker would go would be the perfect place to mount a phone or tablet. I wonder if you could split the six connection too so you have one in the console/lower and a second up top. By that cubby space.

anyone one know what cable is used to wire the stock aux port on the PIU. I looked in the partsguides and it refers to radio interface 3, 5, etc. and was sure what cable would plug into the back of the radio.

 

[Aronedu1]

this is really cool. I have a 10”LG tablet that might work perfectly for this same application and hadn’t thought about just using one of those android adapters on it. I figure the space where the top speaker would go would be the perfect place to mount a phone or tablet. I wonder if you could split the six connection too so you have one in the console/lower and a second up top. By that cubby space.

anyone one know what cable is used to wire the stock aux port on the PIU. I looked in the partsguides and it refers to radio interface 3, 5, etc. and was sure what cable would plug into the back of the radio.

100% where mine will go once the car is back from some errands.



I wanted it to look as oem as possible, since I dont want anyone breaking a window for the phone. I think this passes barely looks wise. I also wanted something properly fixed to the dash, so I glued, reinforced and ziptied any moving elements.

 

[DHG2496]

@Aronedu1 that's it! I've also been trying to find d some good materials to made a dock or mount with. Looks great so far. Any idea if you can force android to power on/off with car. Maybe boot would be too slow. Now I need to get an adapter to play too!

Here is a parts list for the console. I'd assume one of the two cables listed here goes between the radio and the aux port.

Sound System for 2014 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

Tempted just to go through Jason at FLVP Mods but have a h ard time paying $100+ for adding AUX but might be worth it vs my time. Just haven't found someone local that will use code provided to activate it.

 

[Aronedu1]

@Aronedu1 that's it! I've also been trying to find d some good materials to made a dock or mount with. Looks great so far. Any idea if you can force android to power on/off with car. Maybe boot would be too slow. Now I need to get an adapter to play too!

Here is a parts list for the console. I'd assume one of the two cables listed here goes between the radio and the aux port.

Sound System for 2014 Ford Explorer | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

Tempted just to go through Jason at FLVP Mods but have a h ard time paying $100+ for adding AUX but might be worth it vs my time. Just haven't found someone local that will use code provided to activate it.

I found the cable and connector in a junk yard, but have no idea how to plug and program it. I was actually running out of ideas when I began to contemplate having two stereos, and mounting a unit on the speaker area which is flat, since many of the cheapo units are pretty small and lack a CD, you could in theory splice all the cables, and only have a relay with a switch to choose which stereo ( OEM or aftermarket) to run at any given time. I am dealing with the power situation with a charger, but you could potentially have a battery charging off and then the phone charging off the battery.

The idea would be: USB>POWERBANK with pass through charging >CELLPHONE, and then via settings have the phone dim the screen after 10 minutes of no use.

I am yet to test the system, in a daily basis, but i think it will work, i think your solution with the LG tablet and this jack, and some DIY mount and FM transmitter is the best bang for buck solution. I think a cheapo tablet is porbably ideal, since some have usb, and propetary power supplies and audio jacks. This makes it easier to not have to splice all the ins and outs.

 

[Aronedu1]

Here are the pics on the car, happy to say the tests and operations were nice and easy.



The Bluetooth works well and for the most part it looks clean enogh. I would give it a 7/10 versus a new install.

 

[DHG2496]

Quick question About your setup. Can you charge your phone through that car play adapter?

I also need to find some sort of Y cable so I can charge/power the tablet along with a standard USB port for the CarPlay module. Tablet charges with USB C.

 

[Aronedu1]

Quick question About your setup. Can you charge your phone through that car play adapter?

I also need to find some sort of Y cable so I can charge/power the tablet along with a standard USB port for the CarPlay module. Tablet charges with USB C.

My phone supports usb dongles, and this one allows for charging and two USBs out. So I got a cheap usb c to USB a and hdmi out adaptor with usb power pass through.