I-POD dillema

2436 Views 17 Replies 4 Participants Last post by stratus225, Dec 2, 2007

stratus225

Discussion Starter · Nov 20, 2007

Alright. Bought a 2004 F150 Screw Lariat a couple weeks ago. LOVE MY TRUCK!....except for one small problem. My I-pod isnt directly compatible with my system. I have What I believe to be the Audiophile 6-disc sytem with overhead dvd player. I contacted the only company I know of that interfaces the I-pod with Ford, Brandmotion, and gave them the serial number from the radio- not compaitble. So my dilemma is this, how, aside from FM modulation which I am using now and its horrible, do i connect my I-pod up to the stereo in my truck?
I believe my options are as follows...
1. replace the head unit with A/M which I have but dont want to lose the factory deck and dont think the DVD player would work....
2. run a patch cord to the dvd player input and have an ugly wire hanging down from the roof of the truck
3. Find a Ford headunit that is compaitble with Brandmotion direct connect system...more $$$$.
4. Stick with the crappy FM modulation,(my ears are pretty fine tuned and static just p*****s me off.
5. ???????????????????????????????????????????????

Its number 5 I'm curious about, does anyone have any other ideas or opinions as to what i should do?
Thanx in advance.
Dave

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

fordtough.ca

· #2 · Nov 20, 2007

Dave,

Since you already have DVD installed in your truck. You are utilizing the only external input. The only other way to do this is to use a plug-in cord through your dvd
Yes you can hide the cord, but the plug will be visible.
run the cord towards the windshield than come across the driver or passenger door seal towards your radio, than bring the plug out below your front dash.
If you change a head unit you will loose your DVD audio, as this connects through multi pin plugs into your head unit,
Or
an antenna modulator with auxiliary plugs
http://www.amazon.com/Audiovox-FM-Modulator-FMM100A/dp/B0001KO7UI
Or
New head unit and hope that your DVD system has AUX out, and not a multi pin connector
I would go with my first option

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stratus225

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 20, 2007

Thanx 08, I think your right. Now to find a 20 foot cord.....hhhhhmmmmmm. lol

fordtough.ca

· #4 · Nov 20, 2007

12' should work, radio shack should have them

fordtough.ca

· #5 · Nov 20, 2007

Grafix Ink. said:
can't you get a splitter?

not on the multi pin connectors

Viper238

· #6 · Nov 20, 2007

Either using the input on the dvd player..

or
Wired FM Modulator..
They actually don't sound like FM at all.. I've found they are pretty much static free/ clearest FM you'll ever hear..

stratus225

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 29, 2007

Ok, quick update. Hooked up to the input on the DVD player and as I had thought the sound output is very low, at least 1/4 of volume is lost. Unfortunately after a long hard day of listening to people bitch at me all day long cause thier vehicle isnt working exactly like it would if we lived in utopia I love to turn it up as loud as i can go with no distortion and have a half hour distraction before i get home. The factory system when playing a cd is more than enough for me, but of course like all my customers everyday, I want to live in utopia. So now i have to either figure out how to bring the levels up on I-tunes before i download onto the i-pod, which I am completely clueless about, or I have to install an amp into the factory system. I do have a really nice amp i can add that is now 6 years old and I have never used (brand new in the box) It's a Lanzar opti 1604. 4 Channel amp that will probably suit the trick.
So now I'm gonna put all you boys (and gals if any) to the test. Throw me some ideas. Should i find a way to reformat all the music on my I-pod (7900 songs approx), add an amp, throw out the whole damn thing and start over, or is it as simple as buying a different patch cord for the aux in on the DVD player. The one I purchased was the best one I could find at the time, but i know there is probably better.
Thanx in advance......
:icon_confused:

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stratus225

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 29, 2007

Oh, btw, put my Ford Tough.ca sticker (hate calling it a sticker) on the truck today after I had my clean-up dudes give it a good bath, where would be the best place to post some pics?

Smokefan

· #9 · Nov 29, 2007

stratus225 said:
Oh, btw, put my Ford Tough.ca sticker (hate calling it a sticker) on the truck today after I had my clean-up dudes give it a good bath, where would be the best place to post some pics?

http://www.fordtough.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=924

fordtough.ca

· #10 · Nov 29, 2007

stratus225 said:
Ok, quick update. Hooked up to the input on the DVD player and as I had thought the sound output is very low, at least 1/4 of volume is lost. Unfortunately after a long hard day of listening to people bitch at me all day long cause thier vehicle isnt working exactly like it would if we lived in utopia I love to turn it up as loud as i can go with no distortion and have a half hour distraction before i get home. The factory system when playing a cd is more than enough for me, but of course like all my customers everyday, I want to live in utopia. So now i have to either figure out how to bring the levels up on I-tunes before i download onto the i-pod, which I am completely clueless about, or I have to install an amp into the factory system. I do have a really nice amp i can add that is now 6 years old and I have never used (brand new in the box) It's a Lanzar opti 1604. 4 Channel amp that will probably suit the trick.
So now I'm gonna put all you boys (and gals if any) to the test. Throw me some ideas. Should i find a way to reformat all the music on my I-pod (7900 songs approx), add an amp, throw out the whole damn thing and start over, or is it as simple as buying a different patch cord for the aux in on the DVD player. The one I purchased was the best one I could find at the time, but i know there is probably better.
Thanx in advance......
:icon_confused:

Did you try to bring volume up on your iPod
Since you are using line in,
You should be able to bring it up on the iPod
I know this works well for me
Let us know if this works?
THX
Matt

stratus225

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 29, 2007

first thing I tried, its at about 95% volume.

fordtough.ca

· #12 · Nov 29, 2007

Did you try a short cable let say 3' long to see if it makes a difference

stratus225

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 30, 2007

I've decided to go a whole new way. I've been looking on E-bay for a new head unit from an 05 or 06. So now I have new questions. lol
I found a few that according to Brandmotions list will work, but not one of them has what I would guess to be a ten pin din plug for the dvd player. Am I wrong in assuming this is what I need?

fordtough.ca

· #14 · Nov 30, 2007

The head units and plugs changed in 05+ model

Viper238

· #15 · Nov 30, 2007

08limited said:
The head units and plugs changed in 05+ model

I know the antenna's changed in '06

but I think the factory harness stayed the same..
from '04 +
http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=71-5520-1

stratus225

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 30, 2007

judging from what I have found, the only difference is the mounting brackets on a few and the antenna change. So now I just need to fine out how the dvd player hooks up. Guess I'll pull the radio out and have a look. Some pretty cheap options on E-bay.

fordtough.ca

· #17 · Nov 30, 2007

Check with Dazed
He may be selling his from 08 with aux plug
http://fordtough.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=973

stratus225

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 2, 2007

Found the deck I wanted on ebay. 200.00. matches the brandmotion compatible model number so I'm all good. But now I'm thinking since it is a 6-disc mp3 played, do I reallt need the brandmotion system after all? lol. Totaly confusing myself. Anyone here use the brandmotion system and if so, how does it work for you? All opinions good and bad are appreciated.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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