iPod car install with OEM CD Changer Headunit

[lilicucu]

Hi,

I would like to install my iPod in my Ford Explorer 2002.

My car has a 6 CD Changer headunit (i.e. the CD changer is integrated in the radio/headunit - not in the trunk).

An audio install shop offered me a 150$ solution to get a RCA aux input.

Will my CD changer still work after that ?

Thanks
Lili

[pigpen65]

Is the solution a new stereo? 150 bucks for a "solution" seems awefully steep. If i were you i'd just invest in a brand new stereo with an aux in. I got an Aiwa floor model from best buy for 75 bucks with a front aux input. Sounds great, looks great, and install took about 15 minutes. Doesn't hold six cd's, put you got an ipod. six cd's is chump change.

Good luck!

[exdotcomer]

i agree with pigpen65 . it better be a new radio. I'm getting sick and tired of some of these "install shops" taking advantage of people that walk in for an in car ipod solution. They think we're stupid or something. It's insulting. THe minute they hear ipod- they think we're rich and dumb. I understand hourly labor charges but c'mon. Just because my car dealer charges me 100/hr doesnt mean i have to take it. I feel like contacting some of these shops for a quote and posting them here. sort of like a better business beureu thing. I'd like to see the prices and work they would do to help us out.

[HardSpike]

I'm going throught EXACTLY the same thing.

My car is a 2001 Honda Accord EX with the 6 disc in dash CD changer head unit. Since the changer is integrated there's no external changer port.

Be careful who you take advice from. I wrote very specific emails about my setup to two companies: autotoys and Denison. Both replied with "no problem!, ours will work fine". Upon further investigation I find it's not true.

My solution was to buy a very similar Honda head unit on ebay. Main difference is that it has a single disc CD and an CD changer port. Just installed the radio this week.

Today my Blitzsafe adapter from logjamelectronics.com (http://www.logjamelectronics.com/blitzhonauxdmxv1.html) arrived. I'll be installing that over the weekend.

So, to answer your question: $150 doesn't sound too unreasonable. The Blitzsafe adapter itself was $70. If you add labor for someone who knows what they're doing to get to the back of your unit and install it, $150 sounds fair.