ok so im pretty sure my 98 'runner's headunit does not have an aux in.

however, it does have a cd player that im willing to give up use of.

im unfamiliar with this particular stereo system (a headunit with AM/FM/Tape with a single CD player above it, stock toyota) but what ive gathered from prior experience is that there is a control cable(bus im guessing) and the RCA audio cables that connect the optional CD player to the standard casset headunit.

would it be possible to put a CDR that has an 80 minute blank track as a dummy cd so it tricks the head unit into thinking there is a cd playing audio, while the audio it is receiving is actually from, for all intents and purposes, and ipod with a headphone mini jack to RCA plugs?

i dont really have the money to drop into a new headunit, as i want to switch to amps soon, but dont have the money for those either. just wondering if this was possible, or if i am going to have to buy a fm modulator (basically a wired FM transmitter, sits inline with the antenna)

thanks for your help guys. absolutely love this forum (best ive ever been on, in my 8 year forum career, member to over 600 forums) nicest, most helpful bunch of guys and gals ever! and i love my yota!

 

just use a tape adapter

 

Yeup!

There are a couple of things you can do.. The easiest is to check out P.I.E. They're in the business of making adapter cables to do exactly what you're looking for.

You can also hunt down the audio feed from the player, but as you suspected, you'd have to rig a fake CD (or something) to trick the HU into switching to the CD input.


Considering the price of the PIE adapters, you're about 1/2 way to an inexpensive HU.

 

first, not entirely sure that tape player works, second, they sound like poo, worse than my wireless FM transmitter.


ok so it looks like, for the time being (6 months, until i can afford a new HU with aux in) i will be tricking the headunit.


thanks for the replies.

any other thoughts/questions/suggestions/random comments about sexual orientation?

 

sigh, after my internet dieing, i decided to pull the dash apart, took a while but i found the 2 hidden screws behind the hvac control bezel.

so my next question:
where would i even look to find pinouts to this headunit and cd player?

also, in the dash, there appears to be a very small amp, with a plug that connects the back of the head unit to the car (for lack of a better description). i think i have premium sound (i have speakers opposite the mirrors on the doors.)

has anyone fed audio into what i think is an amp? that would get rid of the head unit (technically speaking, i dont need one anyway, and would really perfer to put something else it its place.