Anyone know of any option for a more efficient IPOD connection vs. the cassette adapter thing, for example, will later model radios have connection, or would i have to go with aftermarket? I have 1999 2500 laramie with radio/single cd player/cassette all in one. Thanks.

 

a lot of the new radios that are in our trucks have an auxiliary option in the back of the radio, not sure on your 99. You would have to run a decent length of cable to the back of your radio and then probably use a stereo to composite cable adapter. Im not 100 percent sure if your cd deck has that option but even the cheapest of aftermarket upgrades have those and even the middle to high range ones have a stereo cable option right in the front of the deck making the connection that much easier. In my situation, I just use Fm transmitter that I got for 40 bucks. You can get them for your ipod at bestbuy, circuit city, or even radio shack. There are a few to chose from, they all work pretty much the same. Let me know if you need any more info.

Bryan

 

My brother just plugs a tuner into the cig, lighter, tunes it to the radio and plugs the IPOD into it, works great, Ive got an AUX port on my 06 and I just plug into that, works great also.

 

As far as a factory radio is concerned, it all depends on whether the radio you have has a cd changer plug on the back. If it does then you can buy a converter box that plugs into the outlet for the cd changer controls and has RCA type outlets that you plug your ipod into. I had the same dilemma on my 2002 and went with an aftermarket radio because my factory unit did not have the cd changer outlet on the back of the unit.

 

Like fiftygrit said the tuners you plug into youre cigarette lighters work pretty good. The tuners run a little pricey compared to the cassette hookups but they are worth it. I was using mine for a year or so till i upgraded to a nicer kenwood cd player and now i have a cable and box that plugs into the aux on the back of the head unit.

 

I have a pioneer cd player with a connex2go something or other ipod adapter that goes in through the p-bus on the back side of the cd player. It charges the ipod. I ALSO have a sirius tuner box daisy chained in there. Couldn't be happier with how it works. If you end up going aftermarket stereo something to keep in mind is how you want to control the IPOD. Pioneer makes ipod adapters, but when plugged in you control the ipod through the controls on the cd player. I wasn't fond of that, so I went with the Connex where you control the ipod with the click wheel.

Depending on the distances you travel a fm tuner wouldn't be bad. I chose a set-up that feeds directly into the cd player for sirius and the ipod because the clarity is better and with the distances I travel I end up having to change the tuner's fm station 3-4 times in a trip. That's downright annoying if you ask me.

 

I bought a new Sony eXpode cd mp3 player for $100 off ebay for the aux jacks for my iPod.
Swapping for the factory cassette player took about 15 minutes and looks stock.
Works excellent, much better sound quality than the tuner route.
Thing is I rarely use the iPod now since a mp3 disc holds over 100 tunes.

 

I love my Sony Xplod. In addition to having the front aux input jack, mine has a front panel USB input so I can plug my 1GB thumb drive right into the receiver.

Check out the Sony Xplod CDX-GT610Ui at Crutchfield. It can also control your iPod, and at $169.99 it's a heck of a deal.

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...i&i=158GT610UI