QuestionCan I ask a follow up question on one of your previous answers (August 28th)?
This was the original question:
"Hi, I have a ford taurus(2000, sel)initially i wanted to buy a cd changer but i changed my mind now i want to mp3 player or an Ipod , is it possible to connect the mp3 or the ipod to my car and hear the music throught the speakers of the car?, if it is could you please tell me what type of accesories i have to buy?, and which will be easier to install a regular mp3 player or an ipod?"
This was your answer:
Yes, it is VERY possible to have an MP3 player connected to your car (I consider an ipod to be just another MP3 player, albeit a very good one).
"What kind of "Head Unit" (tape player, CD player, or AM/FM tuner) do you have currently installed in your car? Do you have any prior experience with car electrical systems and soldering wires (or would you rather keep this simple, cheap, and easy)?"
Here is MY question:
I also happen to be working with a 2000 Ford Taurus. The head unit is a tuner/tape player. The unique thing about this car is that the climate controls are also part of the same unit. I don't have experience soldering wires but I think I could do it and I have people I could ask for assistance. I am looking for simple, cheap and easy, too. I am not trying to create a top-of-the-line system, I just want to be able to play mp3's at a level that will be on par with the quality of the existing factory sound system.
Thanks!
Nathaniel Zimmer
AnswerHi Nathaniel,
There are two ways to go on this that I usually recommend - an easy way and a hard way - but it sounds like either one will be much more doable than what you're bracing yourself for.
To my knowledge, the stock 2000 Ford tape/FM/AM did not have a pre-in like some of the other models that had the "aux input" option to add in a factory 5 or 6-disc changer in the trunk. You may want to verify this with the manual or pull the head-unit out to check - if the unit has an 12-pin connector you're probably out of luck, if it's a 16-pin or 20-pin conector then you may want to check these guys out:
http://www.installer.com/aux/
(This is actually the third, least easy or likely way)
The "harder" way isn't really all that bad. Your tape deck is actually not integrated with the airconditioning, it's really two seperated things hiding behind one plastic cover plate. You can purchase a new coverplate with the standard stereo DIN cut-out (see "Metra", "Schoshe", and the like) so that you can install a new stereo of your liking. While you're at it, find yourself a new head-unit that integrates with iPods or other mp3 players and you can simply run the cable out the back by the glove-box, hook up your ipod, and tuck it away and control it from the receiver just like you would a CD changer.
The "easy" way is really more of a way to avoid doing any wiring at all - get yourself an FM modulator (like the Griffin "iTrip") and set it to an open radio frequency in your area.
There's no wiring and, not surprisingly, it offers the same fidelity as any radio station. There are many FM-MP3 interfaces out there to choose from, some even plug into the cigarrette lighter so you don't have to worry about batteries. On the downside you do have to keep your MP3 player at hand to pause, play, etc. I also don't recommend it to people who regularly go on long roadtrips - you have to keep re-setting the radio-frequency as you pass in and out of areas with different radio-statio assignments.
These links may be helpful:
http://www.installdr.com/
http://www.installer.com/aux/
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-BoYLOUYFc1V/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=751&I=142FD1380B
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/itripauto/
Good luck!
