Adapter for XM or MP3??

[steved]

I think I read about a factory adapter for an MP3 player to our OE radios?? Anyone know what I'm looking for?



I just bought a XM satelite radio, but the fm transmitter is less than desired... easily overpowered by large stations. I'd like to stay a little towards OE, instead of getting the FM modulator that inserts between the antenna and the radio...



Any help would be appreciated...



steved

 

[roperteacher]

Steved, mine came with a short cord that plugged into the " Aux" port on the OE radio and then into the back of the XM receiver. That way you never have to use the transmitter function, all you have to do is switch the MODE to the AUX and it worked GREAT!! Is this what your looking for?

 

[steved]

I don't have an "auxiliary" port on my "cheap" ST radio... supposedly there is one that plugs into the back of the radio???



steved

 

[GaryOwen]

Got mine for my 03 from radiosandmore.com after reading about it here. Cost was $129 and well worth the money. Plugs into back of radio. Part number was RVR-D-001-CHY100. Not sure if it fits all chrysler products. Search for radiosandmore.com and you should find the thread.



Gary

 

[roperteacher]

OK Steved. . LOLOL YOu have helped me over the years with LOTS of stuff on my trucks... Here's my advice... . FInd a nice installer ( Or yourself) and give yourself an early X-mas present and go get the OLD stereo OUT and buy a nice Pioneer Head Unit that has an Aux port... and ENjoy... . I was actually going to remove my XM radio from my 06 when I traded it, but they offered me 500 more if I left it in there, they said that was so they could advertise it as XM equipped and my new 07 came with it in it... When my one year of service runs out with serius I am pulling that stereo and getting a nicer one!! LOL

 

[ccie]

I bought a Dodge I-Pod FM interface module from the dealer for my 200. My truck didnt have an AUX input port on the radio. You tune the FM to 87. 9 and then play the IPod. It also charges the IPod. It would not work for a standard MP3 play because the connector is the IPod one. It is not the same as the Apple IPod FM transmitter than can get over powered by nearby FM stations. This Dodge accessory hard wires into the back of the OEM radio.

 

[CMNS PWR]

You need a PIE adapter. I hardwired my XM in my newest truck going this route. Far superior to FM modulation.

CHRY02-AUX
RCA adapter Goes from the PIE to your XM.
I've got a SkiFi and used a hardwire kit for it. You will have to search for the kit for your XM radio.
Hardwire kit

With shipping, it cost me about $100 to do it right. The sound is much better than using a cigar adapter modulator and power source.

 

[bighornram]

Why not just junk the OE POS and get a new unit, any decent one will play CD, MP3, WMV, and AAC (IPOD/MP4) disks. You can burn large libraries of music to one disk. It will sound much better and it won't do the common cutting out thing that the OE radios do.

 

[steved]

I have not had any trouble with the factory radio, therefore, why should I replace it? I've been down that road, didn't want to start swapping head units.



I'm going to look into the PIE adapter... the only thing I didn't like about it, was in the literature it indicated the display would be garbled?? Is that the case with the PIE??





steved

 

[CMNS PWR]

I'm going to look into the PIE adapter... the only thing I didn't like about it, was in the literature it indicated the display would be garbled?? Is that the case with the PIE??

steved

Steve, I have not experienced display garble with the PIE interface. In fact, that is the first I have heard of it occurring with any XM radio.

 

[steved]

OK, here's my findings...

I went out and bought an XM FM-modulator for our Subaru (97 Outback) and decided that I'd see if that would also work in the truck (I needed to pull the dash anyway)... nope, not as it comes in the box. You would need the antenna adapters to hook onto that funky DCX radio antenna connector that is now used. (It looks like a satellite radio connector). This wouldn't be a big deal, if you could buy the adapters. So scratch this as an easy option.

We bought a PIE adapter from CarDomain for $67 shipped. So we'll see how that goes when it comes in...

I rerouted all my wiring for the XM because I wasn't happy with the mounting place (not many places to mount to on the dash of these trucks). So I ended up using my Bracketron bracket (after buying a second one I thought was different) to mount the XM unit... looks a lot better and the wife can now see what channels she wants to listen to (I don't have a choice... !)

Thanks for all the replies, I'll post up once I get things installed and (hopefully) working.

steved

 

[231jasonS]

Steve if you can include some photos that would be great. Im looking at adding a XM mount to my 06. I had it in my 04 and loved it, but the mount is way diff now. thanks

 

[Posm]

Call Crutchfields. They have been a great help anytime I have needed advise. I doubt your radio has an aux input. You will need to get an in line FM modulator. It just Tees into the antenna. It is not as good as direct, but still will be better than FM transmitter or even most FM broadcasts.



Bryan

 

[steved]

OK, I received my PIE adapter tonight... took about 10 minutes to install.

Works like a charm... the "CD" reads "Disc 1 Track 1" and the timer doesn't move, and eventually switches to the time anyway.

Works like a charm... I think this is the best option for adding XM or an MP3 player.

steved

 

[grabinov]

Steved,



Glad it worked out for you. For others interested, after a long search and a number of folks who told me it couldn't be done, I finally found a great solution. USA-Spec makes an IPod interface which plugs into the back of the factory stereo - any one which comes satellite or CD changer ready - which is most of them. It is recognized by the stereo under the mode button, and reads "Aux Source" when you plug it in, so you get AM, FM, CD, Aux under the mode button.



It comes with an Ipod connector attached which will charge and run the ipod, (it controls the ipod from the factory stereo) and in addition it has RCA ins which allow you to hook up something like a satellite radio. It sounds great and took about 10 seconds to install once the dash panel was off.



With this thing connected, no need to spend alot of $ on an aftermarket head unit unless you need real bang from your stereo.



Greg