"iPod Interface" or new H/U?

[yode]

Hi guys,

I'm very new to this so bear with me, I own a 2003 Ford Explorer Sport (2door), and I talked to someone who told me if I wanna use my iPod with it I need to install an iPod Interface, more specifically, the USA SPEC Ford 1. If I installed a new head unit/stereo, could I just plug my ipod in via auxiliary port on the front? And what is the cheaper way to go? I can buy the usa spec ford 1 for less than 100 $ right now and they say labor is around $100. But how much would labor and everything be if I wanted to install a new head unit/stereo? Do I need to buy other things like an amp with it for it to work? And what are the pros/cons of each option? Thank you.

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[yode]

bump

 

[carlrb 10+ year member]

I would just buy a new head unit. I have heard that one of the channels can go out on the ipod interface units. You can get a decent deck with a grin aux input and/or a usb input for $100. And it will outperform your stock stereo. I bought a pioneer with front aux and usb inputs and ipod controls for $95 off eBay for my old truck and it was a huge improvement over stock. Then I just went to Walmart and bought a install kit ($16) and a wire harness ($8) and installed it myself. You don't need to bring it to a shop to put in a new headunit. They come with very clear instuctions and wiring diagrams. VERY simple to do. Esspesally in your truck.

 

[carlrb 10+ year member]

And no you won't need to get an amp. If your just leaving everything else stock and not running a subwoofer all you need is the HU. Well and a cable for your ipod of course if you don't have one.

 

[yode]

I would just buy a new head unit. I have heard that one of the channels can go out on the ipod interface units. You can get a decent deck with a grin aux input and/or a usb input for $100. And it will outperform your stock stereo. I bought a pioneer with front aux and usb inputs and ipod controls for $95 off eBay for my old truck and it was a huge improvement over stock. Then I just went to Walmart and bought a install kit ($16) and a wire harness ($8) and installed it myself. You don't need to bring it to a shop to put in a new headunit. They come with very clear instuctions and wiring diagrams. VERY simple to do. Esspesally in your truck.

if you look at the explorer's stereo, its pretty large Ford Explorer/P100 CD Radio with AUX input [FO005] : Factory Radio Service, Car Factory Radio Services this is what it looks like. If I were to replace it with a new head unit it would prob be a big space on the top/bottom. what do I do to correct this?

 

[carlrb 10+ year member]

The install kits come with a built in cubby hole either above or below the HU. About big enough to put a cell phone in.

 

[carlrb 10+ year member]

Looks like this.

 

[yode]

Looks like this.

oh alright, that looks perfect. thanks for all the help! so no going to al & eds and get charged for labor? is it really simple to hook up? just plugging in cables?

 

[OmegaBunny 10+ year member]

You can also get a cheap double din with ipod input and control everything from the unit. I think they are much easier than scrolling.

 

[OmegaBunny 10+ year member]

Something like this...

Kenwood DDX-418 Car DVD LCD USB BlueTooth Double-DIN | eBay

 

[carlrb 10+ year member]

You will have to hook the wires from the HU to the wiring harness you buy for you vehicle, but its very easy. It comes with a diagram and its basically just matching up colors. I always just use butt conectors to hook it up. Cheap and easy. I know some people like to solder them or whatever but I've been hooking them up like this for 20 years and never had a problem. Dont pay a shop unless they'll do it labor free for buying the HU from them. It's easy and I think its fun to do.

 

[brandonc]

I'm buying an alpine-cde123. It has direct control for ipods/iphones. It's pretty nice for the price. You can get it as low as like $150 new. Features (3) 4volt preamp outputs. Front and back USB ports. You can plug in your ipod/iphone, you can put it in driver mode which allows the head unit to control the device, or passenger mode where your passenger can actually take your device and control the head unit with it.

It also has a direct interface for pandora radio including a thumbs up and thumbs down button on the front of the head unit for rating the music that appears on pandora to build your custom stations.

You can also load up tons of music on a USB thumbdrive and plug it directly in to your unit and listen to your music that way.