iPod Connection?

[couger77]

Is there a way to connect an ipod using a PIE setup on a factory 1994 Explorer?

Thanks!

 

[Maniak]

As far as I know no first Gen X's came with an aux in. To use something other than an FM transmisster you would need an AUX (or DVD input).

You have two choices for FM.. One that just broadcasts it and you tune your radio to the right station and it picks it up from the antenna.

OR

An FM modulator that connects between your antenna and the stereo. You still tune to the right station but you get much less static this way since you don't need the antenna to pick up the signal (its already on the antenna wire).

~Mark

 

[fordnut71]

cassette adapter just goes in the tape hole an has a headphone jack on it. thats what i use.

 

[couger77]

As far as I know no first Gen X's came with an aux in. To use something other than an FM transmisster you would need an AUX (or DVD input).

You have two choices for FM.. One that just broadcasts it and you tune your radio to the right station and it picks it up from the antenna.

OR

An FM modulator that connects between your antenna and the stereo. You still tune to the right station but you get much less static this way since you don't need the antenna to pick up the signal (its already on the antenna wire).

~Mark

Thanks, Mark. That is what I needed to know.

Cheers

 

[Donner]

This would be very important also...

cassette adapter just goes in the tape hole an has a headphone jack on it. thats what i use.

With this adapter, there is zero interference... this is something to consider if you are in an area where there is little or no fm reception, you get no sound with a modulator - is that correct Maniak?

(Unless you don't have a cassette feature)

 

[techieman33]

I use a cassette adapter in mine, it's still not as good as a cd, but it's a whole lot better than an fm transmitter

 

[snoborder42]

This is what I use...

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=fm+modulator&i=142FMMOD01

Its fairly good, the sound quality isn't great, it sounds a bit flat and gets distorted if the input level is too high. Its good, but an aftermarket headunit with an aux in would be the best.

It was super easy to install, the only problem i had was with the wiring. The wiring on the unit is so small i kept melting it with trying to solder it together.

 

[Guido0136]

cassette adapter just goes in the tape hole an has a headphone jack on it. thats what i use.

Fordnut - Hey that's what I do as well... Using that setup for my MP3 player...

 

[Maniak]

With this adapter, there is zero interference... this is something to consider if you are in an area where there is little or no fm reception, you get no sound with a modulator - is that correct Maniak?

(Unless you don't have a cassette feature)

Actually its the opposite.. Both the FM transmitter and the FM modulator type thing (really the same things, only one broadcast and the other goes inline) work better in areas with less radio stations.

With both devices you tune you radio to a specific station (e.g. 89.3). As long as there is no station broadcasting on that channel you will hear it. If however you travel out of town and that new town has a radio station there you may get wierdness.

For example, with the current FM Transmitter I use for my mp3 player when a station is on the same channel I'm on I get "hic-ups" in the sound. With my old FM transmitter I used to get static.

The link above from crutchfield is one of the inline things I was talking about. That one only supports two station though.. If you end up in an area with a station on 87.9 and 88.3 you won't be able to use your mp3 player (I don't know what the chances are of that)..

I do know that when I drive from southern Az to Southern Ca (for truckhaven) I have to switch what station I'm using for my FM Transmitter a couple times (mine will find an open station and use it and can use any station)

If you have a cassette player then you can use one of those cassette adapters and not worry about the station issue with the FM modulators/transmitters.. BUT some peopel don't like how it looks when you have the adapter in the stereo..

~Mark

 

[cskinner89]

cassette adapter all the way! crank the stereo volume up and use the ipod as your volume control and turn down the bass and turn up the treble on the head unit and you'll get cd quality sound!

 

[djsk8r33]

use the cassette adapter which isnt more than 10 bucks at radio shack or best buy.

or buy a real headunit with an AUX output plug on the face