iPod Integration

[IbrahimSS]

Hello

I've got a 2003 4Runner with a factory navigation system and I'd like to get my iPod integrated into the system. I was looking into getting a Hardman Kardon Drive+Play simply because it's pretty inexpensive at $100 w/ the hardwired FM transmitter adapter. My issue are:
1) I'm not sure if there is a way to do a direct input into the 2003 factory navigation/stereo system
2) If so, can I do this myself
3) Am I better off going with the SoundGate/VAIS SoundLinQ SLI? They are higher priced and it seems that they don't full integrate into the 2003 model w/ factory navigation.

Does anyone have any experience with this that can offer insights?

Thanks
Sam

PS I hope this isn't a repeat topic however after a search I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. If you know of any good threads please point me to them.

 

[Coffee4us]

I allso have a 03 with stock Nav and want to intagrate my ipod, haven't looked much at the hardmon cardon Drive + Play,
but had a Dension intagration kit in my BMW 330i and loved it.

But I really want the text to display on the screen, so if any one knows if it is possible with the 03 stock Nav I would also be interested.

 

[IbrahimSS]

I saw a couple of systems while I was searching that allow you to integrate directly into your navigation system but they seem to have limitations, namely can only use playlists. I believe the company who sells those is SoundGate. I went with a unit from Blitzsafe which "pretends" it's a CD changer playing track 99 of disc 1 but really just feeds the audio from the iPod into the back of the stereo head unit.

I got rid of the Harman Kardon system and just used my iPod now with the only Blitzsafe component. This is because after some review I found that the Harman Kardon system didn't really provide me with a much larger display therefore was seemingly no safer, wasn't easy to install, there was no room in the 4Runner to make the integration look seamless, was another layer of indirection* and possible loss of sound quality, and it didn't provide all the functionality of the iPod. The layer of indirection is because you still need something like the Blitzsafe component to allow you to feed the audio from the Drive+Play into the back of your navigation system.

Feel free to ask me any questoins you may have about either the Harman Kardon or Blitzsafe unit. I did quite a bit of research so I know where to get them cheapest, quite a bit about the installation process, etc. Also if you go with the Blitzsafe system tell them Samer Ibrahim recommended them to you. They are pretty cool and were very helpful.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

http://diceelectronics.com/

I dont have nav, but i'm very pleased with this product. Check into it....just might work w/the nav.

 

[IbrahimSS]

As part of my "research" I check them out and I called them. I believe they said they don't work with the nav. You can call them again and ask however I am positive that they also only work off of playlists.

 

[Uneek]

iPod2car, VAIS Tech, Coastal eTech Ultimate iPod in addition to their Lockpick.

Peripheral Electronics should work with nav, as long as you don't have satellite radio. PE is the one I'm leaning towards. VAIS requires creating playlists, but could offer additional inputs if your 4R doesn't have the auxilary input. Coastal is nice because it also provides hacks to the nav. A side note, Coastal's site sucks, real PITA to navigate around.

 

[IbrahimSS]

I think Uneek is right. I emailed the guy from Peripheral Electronics and I believe he said it will work. I searched for the email but I must have deleted it so I can't confirm that but I'm almost positive...

 

[Coffee4us]

iPod2car, VAIS Tech, Coastal eTech Ultimate iPod in addition to their Lockpick.

Peripheral Electronics should work with nav, as long as you don't have satellite radio. PE is the one I'm leaning towards. VAIS requires creating playlists, but could offer additional inputs if your 4R doesn't have the auxilary input. Coastal is nice because it also provides hacks to the nav. A side note, Coastal's site sucks, real PITA to navigate around.

So just to clarify, it will display the text and allow you to search through the albums and artist?

 

[Uneek]

So just to clarify, it will display the text and allow you to search through the albums and artist?

I don't have any of the aforementioned integration kits. Just doing some research for a possible future upgrade. For now the auxilary input works ok with the 4Runner.

For the Peripheral Electronics the PXDP2 should display text and allow searching by artist, song, album and genre. My understanding is the PXDP emulates a CD changer, unsure if it requires playlists or not. The PXDP2 emulates satellite radio for the ability to send display information, thus requiring removal of satellite if installed and the presence of a 'SAT' button. This is my understanding from brief research and I need to dig a little deeper.

 

[SH0ck-D]

So just to clarify, it will display the text and allow you to search through the albums and artist?

no. I bought one for my alpine head unit and it didn't do any of that.

 

[wcw]

Ibrahim, I've a 2004 w/JBL, no nav. You mentioned an auxiliary input on your stereo? Is there one on mine? Obviously I presume if there is it's on the back of the head unit or something. I've a nano I'd like to connect directly. Any further info you could provide would be great.

 

[IbrahimSS]

The same unit fits yours. The nav is the real problem. The standard JBL stereo should work with may of the other manufacturers as well. I just think the Blitzsafe is relatively and they are nice people to deal with.

 

[BostonBeachbum]

IPOD

I just completed the installation with the HK Drive & Play. I don't have the Nav, but the 6 disc in dash Synthesis. I first connected with the wired FM modulator but the sound was horrible. I ended up getting the USA-SPEC TOY Auxillary adapter (direct plug in the back of the radio) and connected the HK to that. Sound is much better.

One word of advice, when wiring the HK, it is very sensitive to the voltage, make sure you find a solid 12v constant and switched 12v, if its less it won't work correctly. Make sure you use a meter, not a light tester...

Also, I'm trying to find a way to get power to the HK only when I switch to the AUX mode, or at a minimum only when the radio is on. Right now its wired to the radio ACC but is always on when the ignition is on.


Anyone know if there is a HOT wire out that only is activated in AUX 1 mode???

 

[Heelrunner]

I have a 2007 w/Nav. I got the Vais. I have really enjoyed it. You do need to set up playlists. The screen will display the name of the playlist you are listening to and the song title. You cannot view the artist name, which I feel is slightly annoying. You cannot search by artists, songs, etc. You can however enter simple mode and have all of the seach functions available to you via the iPod unit, but you lose the text display on the nav screen. The unit charges your iPod and has perfect sound. Overall pretty happy with my decision. I hope that this helps.