iPod Integration

[Scott Brady]

So, I am looking for a unique solution... I am not much of an audiophile, but I do love music, and while traveling I enjoying jamming to the endless flow of tunes from my trusty (and nearly full) iPod.

For my Tacoma, I plan on installing a Scion head-unit, or similar, which will allow the iPod to be plugged in.

For the Discovery, it is a much greater challenge, as I do not want an aftermarket head unit, but I want to be able to listen to the iPod, with it mounted discretely. I have also considered removing the factory head unit completely and installing the Icom 706 in its place and finding a way to have only the iPod playing through the factory speakers (which sound pretty good, even including a small subwoofer in the rear door). Again, everything tucked away and discrete for dust and prying eyes.

Does anyone know of a clean, effective way of integrating the iPod to a Factory LR radio (1995 vintage) other than an FM modulator (current solution- sucks). The antenna level input is a last resort. John Lee of Expedition Exchange suggested this JL Audio (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep.php?prod_id=369) unit.

[HenryJ]

I bought a simple adapter to add inputs to my stock head unit.

http://www.autotoys.com/x/home.php?cat=16

I don't know if they have what you need, but they might.

[Cabrito]

If the stock unit has a cassette then just get the adaptor - I've been rocking one in the Saab for years.
In the land Cruiser I got an aftermarket detachable face unit with a mini input jack on the front. The FM transmitter units have gotten a lot better recently.

>>>

[OutbacKamper]

Scott;
Try this - PIE adapter:
http://www.pie.net/search-by-car.aspx
They list 3 different adapters for a '95 disco

Cheers
Mark

[preacherman]

I know you said you did not want an aftermarket head unit but I bought one with Ipod control and it ROCKS! you just plug in the pod and you have full controll and display...in your head unit screen....and it keeps it charged. Add xm and you are set.

[Kermit]

I use this http://www.usaspec.com/ in the Tacoma, not sure if they make one for a Disco.

Use the the CD changer controls to operate the iPod, totally out of site, keep stock head unit.

Just set up different play lists and go.

http://www.usaspec.com/images/top_view_ipod_big.jpg

[Green Ganesha]

Scott, does your Disco's head unit accommodate auxiliary inputs at all? If not (which was the case with the factory stereo in my 1997 D-90), I'd recommend either the cassette interface for simplicity of installation, or the inline antenna interface (electrical connection, not FM modulation) for purity of appearance. (The little wire coming out of your cassette deck probably violates the "clean" look you're going for.)

I understand your desire to stick with the factory head unit. However, one option would be to go with a more recent model from the same manufacturer, one that does have extra inputs. I don't know about 1995, but in 1997 the audio components were all Clarion. (I upgraded mine to Clarion marine components about a year ago.)

If you do get to a point where your head unit accepts an auxiliary input, I recommend the harman/kardon Drive+Play (http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=108DP2US).

http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2007/108/h108DP2US-f_dg-1.jpeg

With this setup, the iPod gets tucked away discreetly. Its screen is replaced with a slightly larger display, which you can locate in a convenient line-of-sight location. The control interface similarly goes wherever is convenient for your fingers. (An advantage over using the iPod itself is that the optimum/safest locations for these two elements are rarely coincident.)

I've mounted my Drive+Play screen (an earlier generation than the model illustrated above) in the D-90's dashboard's factory ashtray cutout:

12695

[bfoxg8r]

Go over to landroversonly.com

There are instructions there to make it work using the factory cd changer cable.

[Azrocks]

If you want to remove your head unit completely, do what I did on my FJ40.

- I didn't want anything in the way of a head unit that would eventually be stolen anyway. Besides that's where I have my quages now.
- I wanted as little as possible to show.
- I pretty much use my MP3 player for all my music needs

Soooo......

I mounted a four channel amp in the glovebox and then ran a rca to mini stereo plug from the glovebox under the carpet to the side of the drivers seat.

This way I can plug my MP3 player directly into the amp bypassing a head unit altogether.

You could do the same on your vehicle. Mount your ICOM in the factory location. Mount a small amp to run your ipod. Run the cable to wherever you want in the vehicle.

This give the added advantage for me in that I can keep my MP3 player closer to me so I can make changes easier. My MP3 player has FM as well, but I rarely if ever use it.

At this point I am either listening to MP3's or the Ham radio. I will be adding another cable to run the Ham radio output to the amplifier as well so I an listen to the Ham radio over my speakers. The "ultimate" external speaker!

I am using a small four channel amp that is suppossedly water resistant. I get them at wholesale so they are cheap enough I can replace them if neccessary. For what you are looking for, just about any basic amp will probably fit your needs and have more "umph" than your factory setup.

Just another option.

[Mlachica]

I mounted a four channel amp in the glovebox and then ran a rca to mini stereo plug from the glovebox under the carpet to the side of the drivers seat.

This way I can plug my MP3 player directly into the amp bypassing a head unit altogether.

I second this option. My friend did this in his little 2wd 83 toy p/u since it has no stereo. It works great and sounds fine.

[Scott Brady]

Gary,

I like that option. More research...

[MaddBaggins]

Scott, I'm running an Eclipse deck with Eclipse iPod adapter box. I control the iPod thru the deck and the deck displays what song is on. I set the whole thing to random and use it when offroad. Eclipse are really nice decks also.

[Azrocks]

Gary,

I like that option. More research...

It works great. I realized that I never use CD's anymore. Everything I listen to is in MP3 format. I also realized I rarely if ever use the radio anymore either (even though I still have FM on the MP3 player. If I'm not listening to music, I am listening to the Ham radio. I've seen it done very cleanly using IPOD mounts as well.

I really like the fact that it takes away one of the main reasons for punks to break in my vehicle, especially when topless.

[dustboy]

I just came up with this solution. Tore out the stereo, which barely got used, and welded a recessed lighter socket to the radio bracket. I had to reinforce the bracket so the socket doesn't move on bumpy roads.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_PrLGB0JUQEk/Sy1gJwrZlLI/AAAAAAAACDw/lHW0yrk5Rj4/s800/IMG_0491.JPG

I got this XM iPod dock for xmas, which turns your ipod touch or iphone into a sweet XM/Sirius radio receiver. Even without the subscription, it's a pretty good mobile cradle, as it has a dock connector with FM transmitter and line-level out. Not sure whether XM has programming worth $10/month to me.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PrLGB0JUQEk/Sy1f_ab4tPI/AAAAAAAACDk/5C1TBv-bDvw/s800/IMG_0489.JPG

It swivels for portrait or landscape mode.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_PrLGB0JUQEk/Sy1gEJyalWI/AAAAAAAACDo/q8e2FGSQCq8/s800/IMG_0490.JPG

Here's the ugly stuff in the stereo mount. I added the volume control knob, it's just a potentiometer from Ratty Shack. Nevermind the blingy knob, it may need to be sprayed black:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PrLGB0JUQEk/Sy1f0T0oDeI/AAAAAAAACDY/g-QuXo4nbWw/s800/IMG_0487.JPG

To a thief, it looks like the radio has already been stolen.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_PrLGB0JUQEk/Sy1f5nKhE5I/AAAAAAAACDc/DDPzcVvmbXs/s800/IMG_0488.JPG

The gooseneck mount is pretty stiff but it might still be a little wobbly for rough roads, so I may add velcro to tie it to the dash.

I don't think I'll miss AM/FM radio, but if I do there are plenty of apps that can stream radio over the 3G network. Or I can bite the bullet and pay for XM.

[w squared]

If you have a head unit that will accept input from a CD changer (common on that vintage of vehicle) then you could use one of the older vintage H&K drive & play units. They have a monochrome backlit LCD screen, but otherwise are a lot like the unit that Green Ganesha posted a pic of. I have one in my Jeep and it's GREAT.

[Grim Reaper]

Most of the Rovers I have seen have a CD changer. Many CD changers as RCA for audio.

You can get a RCA to 1/8 inch jack cord just about anywhere. Simple RCA switch inline so you can chose between the changer and the Ipod for the input. Switch the stereo to the changer but inject the ipod signal.

[AKRover]

The way I added my iPod to my factory radio in my 95 RRC (should be the same as your Disco) was to hack into the CD changer wiring and add a set of RCA plugs. I then bought an adapter off ebay that has RCAs plus a power and ground wire on one end and the iPod plug on the other. Now I simply select the CD changer on the head unit and play the ipod. The CD changer has to remain on and the funtionality can be retained if you use a four pole double throw switch that lets you switch between the RCAs and the changer.

The sound is great too!

I have some pictures as well as a write up on another forum that I'll try to find and link for you.

Found the link complete with a wire diagram.

http://www.alaska4x4network.com/showthread.php?t=28029&highlight=ipod+hack


A little update to that thread. The whine was not present with my iPod touch or my iPhone. The charging function on this set up does not work with either of those devices because Apple changed the way it charges. This can be fixed by buying a newer cord that has the RCAs plus a USB plug that can be plugged into a USB cigarette adapter, like this.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB128LL/B?fnode=MTY1NDA0OQ&mco=MTA4MjUwNDc