connect ipod to 4runner?

[runi9]

Quick question, guys. I want to hook up my ipod to my 1999 4runner stereo. I searched google to see how to do this and I found this link:
4 Ways to hook up your iPod to your car

I'm looking for the best sound quality so I am thinking that I should go with option number 3 which is auxiliary input. I don't think my 4runner has an accessible auxiliary input but I'm not sure.
1. How do I know if it has one?

2. If it doesn't have one, then, what am I supposed to be purchasing from Amazon to make option number 3 work? It seems like I need a cable but what kind of cable? Is this correct?:
http://www.amazon.com/InCarCables-Stereo-Auxiliary-smartphone-players/dp/B001A5FH9S

 

[IanB]

Get an aftermarket deck with bluetooth and a USB input, you'll be way further ahead.

 

[pauls4runner]

to get the best sound quality from hooking up an ipod/iphone. your best option is to replace the oem radio with an aftermarket radio that supports ipod/iphone, 2nd would be just a cheap aftermarket radio with an aux cable input. an aftermarket radio that is ipod/iphone ready will by far be the best sound option. a radio with an aux input and aux cable will work but wont sound as good as an ipod/iphone ready radio. if you want to keep your factory radio, their are 2 methods to utilize an ipod, first (and the best of the 2 methods) would be to use a JL Audio cleansweep (or something along those lines from different companies). a clean sweep is a device that will connect to an oem radio and allow you access to using an ipod or other source, a clean sweep will also allow you to add amplifiers if you desire. option 2 for using an oem radio would be an fm modulator which will plug into your ipod and allow you to tune your radio to a specific radio frequency and your ipod will play as if you were listening to the radio

 

[runi9]

your best option is to replace the oem radio with an aftermarket radio that supports ipod/iphone

Paul, what's the precise keyword I use to do google and amazon searches for this? I'm using "ipod car radio" with little relevant results. I need to research a bit to see which radio is the best currently.
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-4200UB-Receiver-Display-Control/dp/B00389XE12/ref=sr_1_36?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1318538217&sr=1-36

 

[mistaj0hnny]

If you're using amazon, just search up either "single DIN _insert brand name here_" such as Pioneer, Alpine, Clarion, etc. Most aftermarket units nowadays have iPod and AUX capabilities. You can also search up "double DIN" if you want to get a little fancy and get a touchscreen for easier iPod access. http://www.sonicelectronix.com is also a reputable website for car audio stuff.

 

[tjaguilar]

check best buy or bestbuy.com sometimes if you check the clearance section on the website they have a cheaper aftermarket deck with an aux plug. with my pioneer i bought an adapter off of ebay to hook up to the back of the deck and used a aux plug for that..

 

[Pikeman]

Crutchfield.com is another good source for information and usually good on pricing.

I am running a Kenwood radio with their Ipod adapter(plugs into back of radio) I can control my Ipod from the radio controls this way and have my Ipod hidden.

 

[pauls4runner]

I agree with pikeman, crutchfield is a great site that has ALOT of product info and reviews. As far as what to search for, thats actually a hard question to answer because their are so many options out there. In my opinion, I suggest Alpine, I currently have an Alpine CDA-9885 in my t4r. a good question for you is, what is your price point and do you want new or is used ok? you can find good radios for as cheap as $50 used up to $1500 new. alot of manufacturers offer decent radios for $100. Alpine, kenwood, sony, pioneer, all have head units that are nice for about $100. walmart sells "dual" brand head units that have alot of cool features for between $1 and $200 (i myself would not waste time or money with dual). aside from price point, you also need to think about what you want when youre done with your stereo, such as, do you want to add amplifiers, do you want xm/sirius, do you want blue tooth. do you want nav, or just plain flat out sound quality? For the stereo I am in the proccess of building, I want sound quality (and to be loud). the alpine I have (when new was $400) has ipod/iphone, aux, blue tooth capability, xm/serious capability, 6 disc cd changer (which I have and plugs directly into head unit letting me control the changer from the headunit), and 3 sets of RCAs (front channel, rear channel, and sub channel all at 3volts). rca voltage for every day stereos is not a big deal, but the higher the voltage on RCAs the better the sound. I have the alpine head unit, 3 JL Audio amps, 4 JL Audio subs, and a JL Audio component speaker set for the front sound.
With a higher budget for a radio. Alpine, clarion (if they are still around), Pioneer, and kenwood all have really good higher end radios.

 

[jrm]

If you have a 3 in 1 OE HU

with the optional CD changer plug in the back you can use a adapter that will interface with the ipod.

Theres also the option of installing a Scion 1806, 1808 or 1809 HU and just using a cable like the one you linked too.

 

[cordrayj1]

ok guys. i just bought this ipod thing yesterday and getting it today. my best friend growing up helped designed it, he works for new potato and when he showed it to me i freaked. BADDDDDA$$$$$ esp if you have an amp or aux input.


for android and ipod/iphone- bluetooth HI DEF SOUND QUALITY.

 

[cordrayj1]

and. . . crutchfield is an awesome resource for reference and researching. but their prices are for ballers IMO. use them to research and then slam ebay.

 

[GladeRunner]

Go with aftermarket radio with ipod inputs.

I have the FM transmitter option, works ok, but having one as a component of your radio will be 100x's better option.

I vote for Crutchfields also - great place to look.

 

[cordrayj1]

Go with aftermarket radio with ipod inputs.

I have the FM transmitter option, works ok, but having one as a component of your radio will be 100x's better option.

I vote for Crutchfields also - great place to look.

i agree with you on the having a head unit with the built-in option . . .


but i guess my issue is, I use the y-adapter cable every time i get in my vehicle. So much, that the headphones plug on my phone has started to fail.

BLUETOOTH is HI-DEF and is superior to a wired connection.

no cords all over the place, nothing to worry about plugging in, AUTOMATICALLY PAIRS WITH YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU GET NEAR THE VEHICLE.

I wasnt even suggesting using the FM transmission on the "tunelink". i was suggesting a permanent, out of the way, behind the scenes, awesome way to use bluetooth with any vehicle that has an AUXILLARY INPUT.

Ill do a review later.

Im also installing one on my boat. my friend said he covered his in plastidip for waterproofing purposes on his boat (in wilmington, Nc) and hes never had a problem. think about it, you never have to pull your phone out in foul weather or conditions because its all wireless.

 

[IanB]

BLUETOOTH is HI-DEF and is superior to a wired connection.

no cords all over the place, nothing to worry about plugging in, AUTOMATICALLY PAIRS WITH YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU GET NEAR THE VEHICLE.

As great as Bluetooth is, it is not superior to a wired connection. Sound quality will never be as good as a wired connection, and BT can't charge your phone.

 

[cordrayj1]

ian, do some research. technology has progressed. im friends with the people who designed this thing and have seen/heard it in action.

bluetooth aint the same ole bluetooth it used to be. just like cell phones dont have the all the same signal technologies they used to.

 

[IanB]

ian, do some research. technology has progressed. im friends with the people who designed this thing and have seen/heard it in action.

bluetooth aint the same ole bluetooth it used to be. just like cell phones dont have the all the same signal technologies they used to.

I'm looking, and I can't see anywhere that says bluetooth is better than wired for streaming audio, maybe you can point me in the right direction? Also, iphones won't stream audio via bluetooth, so it's not even an option for a huge group of potential users.

 

[javendan]

i also agree... get an aftermarket head unit.

you'll get better features, power and sound.

here's what i did a while ago... the aux-in/ipod-in adapter was on clearance somewhere and worked but kinda clunky.

it plugs into the factory cd changer slot. you simply tap the cd button twice.

joel

 

[cordrayj1]

I'm looking, and I can't see anywhere that says bluetooth is better than wired for streaming audio, maybe you can point me in the right direction? Also, iphones won't stream audio via bluetooth, so it's not even an option for a huge group of potential users.

ian, iphones CAN in fact, stream music via bluetooth, including pandora internet radio.

from the manu:


"What do you mean by Bluetooth stereo audio?

Bluetooth can be used for more than just a hands-free headset. The iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch have the ability to transmit high-quality stereo audio over a Bluetooth link. Not all Bluetooth devices are created equal though, TuneLink uses only the best A2DP codecs so your music sounds as if you were using a wire."

and even if you do use the FM trans:

"What is Speed Tune?

TuneLink uses the GPS function of your iPhone to automatically determine the clearest stations in your area. By avoiding the major radio stations in your area, you can rest assured that TuneLink will maintain a clear link to your FM radio so the music goes on and leaves the interference behind."

 

[runi9]

@ pauls4runner - As far as I know, all I am concerned with is sound quality. I know some of my colleagues have big nice stereo systems in their car but I’m not sure I’ll ever get to that point since something like that would be prohibitively expensive, I’m assuming.

Btw, I have been advised to purchase an Alpine radio since they are supposedly built specifically for Ipod compatibility. So, I won’t get the unit I linked to above but I’m thinking about this one with the ipod cable:
http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-CDE-103BT-player-Full-DIN--dash/dp/B001N2NBUA/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318581627&sr=1-6
Amazon.com: Alpine KCE 433iV - iPhone / iPod charging / data cable - Apple Dock connector (M): MP3 Players & Accessories

Regarding my price range, I really don’t have one as long as the cost is absolutely justified with no doubts. Also, I don’t mind if it’s used or new as far as I’m concerned. Like I said, I don’t need all the fancy whistles and bells, I just concerned about total iPod compatibility and absolute best sound quality. (I don’t need a cd changer, bluetooth, xm radio, etc. etc.) I actually hate anything wireless since I am very paranoid of getting cancer so anything with wires is perfect for me! What do you recommend specifically for what I'm looking for?

But I was actually wondering about the quality of a used unit. There are some things in life that just shouldn’t be purchased used but always new. I don’t think a head unit is one of them but I could be wrong...

 

[IanB]

ian, iphones CAN in fact, stream music via bluetooth, including pandora internet radio.

from the manu:


"What do you mean by Bluetooth stereo audio?

Bluetooth can be used for more than just a hands-free headset. The iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch have the ability to transmit high-quality stereo audio over a Bluetooth link. Not all Bluetooth devices are created equal though, TuneLink uses only the best A2DP codecs so your music sounds as if you were using a wire."

and even if you do use the FM trans:

"What is Speed Tune?

TuneLink uses the GPS function of your iPhone to automatically determine the clearest stations in your area. By avoiding the major radio stations in your area, you can rest assured that TuneLink will maintain a clear link to your FM radio so the music goes on and leaves the interference behind."

Sorry, but what are you quoting here? Can you link to it? I've done some more searching, and I can't find anywhere that states bluetooth is able to meet or exceed the quality level of a wired connnection, and I'm finding a lot of references to "lossy codecs" with regards to bluetooth transmissions.

Also, you might be right about the iphone being able to stream audio, but it won't do it with my Pioneer deck, I assumed it was an iphone issue, might be my deck afterall.