OK,
Stock radio predates aux input.
So I want to upgrade to a new head unit.
But what about the fact that I am already spoiled by the steering wheel controls?
Are there radios out there that anyone knows of that will interface with steering controls?
You folks already offered great advice about how to get the stock radio out.
(I have the owners manual set)
'
03 Sport Edition 4Runner
non-JBL but steering controls addicted
Stock radio predates aux input.
So I want to upgrade to a new head unit.
But what about the fact that I am already spoiled by the steering wheel controls?
Are there radios out there that anyone knows of that will interface with steering controls?
You folks already offered great advice about how to get the stock radio out.
(I have the owners manual set)
'
03 Sport Edition 4Runnernon-JBL but steering controls addicted
Registered User
There are steering wheel control integration adapters available for most aftermarket radios, check here...http://www.sonicelectronix.com/cat_i...nterfaces.html
That was fast!
Thanks!
I found the PAC SWI-PS
for $34 via Amazon
Looks like it will do the trick on my Sony CDX-GT640UI
adter I get ti up and running I will feedback the experience.
Thanks!
I found the PAC SWI-PS
for $34 via Amazon
Looks like it will do the trick on my Sony CDX-GT640UI
adter I get ti up and running I will feedback the experience.
Registered User
Quote:
Thanks!
I found the PAC SWI-PS
for $34 via Amazon
Looks like it will do the trick on my Sony motor fiend CDX-GT640UI
adter I get ti up and running I will feedback the experience.
Originally Posted by acruet
That was fast!Thanks!
I found the PAC SWI-PS
for $34 via Amazon
Looks like it will do the trick on my Sony motor fiend CDX-GT640UI
adter I get ti up and running I will feedback the experience.
Sweeet, it was only 34$? I never integrated mine because I didn't even thing that it existed. Can't wait to have mine back haha.
Ok Guys,
We're talking PAC SWI-PS, for a Sony CDX-GT640UI radio in my 2003 4-runner (non-JBL).
I got the Adapter for $35 through Amazon as opposed to the asking price of $90 through PAC itself.
WARNING: This ain't gonna happen if you are the kind of guy who does not read instructions.
Plan to take some time to settle down in your easy chair, and psych out the process while reading and re-reading the instructions that pertain to your adapter, car, and after-market radio. PAC included a small piece of paper to direct me to install instructions and it sent me to the other version (infrared programming sequence is different) of this adapter. I had to call them to be sure I was using the right series of steps for this one. They answer the phone! Imagine that! And they gave me accurate info! WOW!
The Sony radio has a socket into which you can plug a plug that looks like a standard stereo earphone plug.
That is offered as a remote control interface.
But you have to verify that at the Sony support site.
I could not find it in the handbook that came with the radio.
In my case, the adapter does NOT act as an infrared remote control.
(the other version, PAC SWIX is for infrared remote and has to be mounted with line of sight).
You need to research the compatibility of your after market radio before selecting the appropriate adapter.
My Sony came with a hand held remote, but I did want infrared interfacing with the adapter.
It is installed, so here's my story.
I went to my local electronics supply place (not "BESTBOY" or "Shadio-Rack")
and got a three pronged quick disconnect plug (not provided with the install kit.)
I did not want to hard wire this connection, while the radio had the other two connectors for quick disconnect.
Found out which resistor was called for, (had to Google color codes, because I had not used the "bad boys rape....rhyme since basic electricity school back in 1902) and created a harness with the resistor tied in as directed. So there are two pins the resistor ties into, and the third pin is the ground.
for my installation no other pins, wires cut or anything, but it took me a while to decipher that.
At first my ground was shaky so the adapter would not program right.
The adapter did things, but not as per the expected sequence.
I got the led to turn on but it would not remain on so I could proceed through the series of learning steps.
PAC says "if it is not programming right re-check your connections". I'm thinking if the led lights the connections must be good......duh!
Sure enough my ground was the problem.
Once corrected the programming sequence went as expected.
You choose what steering wheel buttons to associate with what options the adapter can cause on the radio.
I only ever used volume anyway. One look at how polished that button is on my steering wheel will show how deeply ingrained that habit has become.
I have on my steering, volume up, volume down, up and down arrows (which used to change stations in seek up or down mode) and a fifth button labeled mode which used to change from radio bands to disc playing modes and back.
I associated my volume up and down accordingly, and am using a the channel up and down buttons to control the ATT function in my radio (attenuator/mute) so when I get a phone call I can quickly flick the volume down.
All the wires and adapter etc are hidden behind the radio and this a perfectly neat setup,
that allows me to use the steering buttons as I choose.
It is time consuming to first figure it all out, then build the quick disconnect if you don't want to hard wire that third plug, and worth the effort to have some steering controls again, and be able to remove the radio with the advantage of the quick disconnects all around.
Someday there may be a radio compatible with USB input for my ZUNE, so I can see all the cool info that accompanies my playlists.....my IPOD does that, but I believe the ZUNE HD sounds much better (it has to interface through the aux jack on the front of my radio). C'MON Microsoft! aren't you big enough to promote ZUNE USB interfaces? But I digress........again.......
BTW- need for Aux input is why I swapped out my OEM radio in the first place.
NOTE: And yes there are radios that allow ZUNE interface via USB, but they do not yet display the other info that you see on the Zune screen, or the info that an IPOD interface puts on the radio display.
have fun and keep sharing the helpful info!
We're talking PAC SWI-PS, for a Sony CDX-GT640UI radio in my 2003 4-runner (non-JBL).
I got the Adapter for $35 through Amazon as opposed to the asking price of $90 through PAC itself.
WARNING: This ain't gonna happen if you are the kind of guy who does not read instructions.
Plan to take some time to settle down in your easy chair, and psych out the process while reading and re-reading the instructions that pertain to your adapter, car, and after-market radio. PAC included a small piece of paper to direct me to install instructions and it sent me to the other version (infrared programming sequence is different) of this adapter. I had to call them to be sure I was using the right series of steps for this one. They answer the phone! Imagine that! And they gave me accurate info! WOW!
The Sony radio has a socket into which you can plug a plug that looks like a standard stereo earphone plug.
That is offered as a remote control interface.
But you have to verify that at the Sony support site.
I could not find it in the handbook that came with the radio.
In my case, the adapter does NOT act as an infrared remote control.
(the other version, PAC SWIX is for infrared remote and has to be mounted with line of sight).
You need to research the compatibility of your after market radio before selecting the appropriate adapter.
My Sony came with a hand held remote, but I did want infrared interfacing with the adapter.
It is installed, so here's my story.
I went to my local electronics supply place (not "BESTBOY" or "Shadio-Rack")
and got a three pronged quick disconnect plug (not provided with the install kit.)
I did not want to hard wire this connection, while the radio had the other two connectors for quick disconnect.
Found out which resistor was called for, (had to Google color codes, because I had not used the "bad boys rape....rhyme since basic electricity school back in 1902) and created a harness with the resistor tied in as directed. So there are two pins the resistor ties into, and the third pin is the ground.
for my installation no other pins, wires cut or anything, but it took me a while to decipher that.
At first my ground was shaky so the adapter would not program right.
The adapter did things, but not as per the expected sequence.
I got the led to turn on but it would not remain on so I could proceed through the series of learning steps.
PAC says "if it is not programming right re-check your connections". I'm thinking if the led lights the connections must be good......duh!
Sure enough my ground was the problem.
Once corrected the programming sequence went as expected.
You choose what steering wheel buttons to associate with what options the adapter can cause on the radio.
I only ever used volume anyway. One look at how polished that button is on my steering wheel will show how deeply ingrained that habit has become.
I have on my steering, volume up, volume down, up and down arrows (which used to change stations in seek up or down mode) and a fifth button labeled mode which used to change from radio bands to disc playing modes and back.
I associated my volume up and down accordingly, and am using a the channel up and down buttons to control the ATT function in my radio (attenuator/mute) so when I get a phone call I can quickly flick the volume down.
All the wires and adapter etc are hidden behind the radio and this a perfectly neat setup,
that allows me to use the steering buttons as I choose.
It is time consuming to first figure it all out, then build the quick disconnect if you don't want to hard wire that third plug, and worth the effort to have some steering controls again, and be able to remove the radio with the advantage of the quick disconnects all around.
Someday there may be a radio compatible with USB input for my ZUNE, so I can see all the cool info that accompanies my playlists.....my IPOD does that, but I believe the ZUNE HD sounds much better (it has to interface through the aux jack on the front of my radio). C'MON Microsoft! aren't you big enough to promote ZUNE USB interfaces? But I digress........again.......
BTW- need for Aux input is why I swapped out my OEM radio in the first place.
NOTE: And yes there are radios that allow ZUNE interface via USB, but they do not yet display the other info that you see on the Zune screen, or the info that an IPOD interface puts on the radio display.
have fun and keep sharing the helpful info!
