iPod or Aux Connection for the Stock Gen II Alpine head unit

[Luisv]

I did this write up some time ago when I owned the Viper for about 8 or 9 months now. Now I've owned my car for about a year and a half. I've loved every minute. I've even put up with only having a CD player in there. I even burned a few CD's and deal with swapping them for drives... However...let's face it, it's 2013... I need an iPod connection!

I've done some searches here but for some reason most say that it could not be done. There is no aux input and no way to wire one in. FM modulators/transmitters are no good. It seemed like the only choice was a new head unit. I was not satisfied with that.

Did a bit of digging again and found a post about a hard wired FM Modulator for iPods. I figured I would try it.

What I got was a solution from iSimple. It is the IS77 which is a wired FM Modulator with an IPod connector and charging capability. By a "wired" FM Modulator it means that the device is hard wired into the antenna input of the radio. It basically gives you the best signal you can get. No need for an AUX port. Since the Alpine head unit uses a "standard" banana plug antenna, it is an easy install.

Here is what I did.

You have to get to the radio so the center bezel comes out. It snaps out (a number of write ups on this all over the place) easily. Then once you have that out, two screws get the radio out.







Once it is out three connectors come out. One is the antenna, one is the output and one is power cables. The main one you will need is the Antenna.



The device connects easily. Basically you need power to the unit and you connect the antenna through the device. In the case of the IS77 you have a couple of other connections to make but they are all setup for plug in connections. You have a power switch, the power connector to supply power to charge the iPod. Of course you also have the iPod connector itself.

The power is easy, if you want that. You can simply pull power for the cigarette lighter plug. However, I used accessory power or switched power. This way I never have a concern with the iPod draining the power if the cars remains undriven for a week or more. The power came from an "add-a-circuit" that is in fuse spot 6. I used it for the radar detector install I did. All my connections are always soldered and covered in heat shrink.





The wire was run from behind the drivers knee pad and up into the radio area. Very simple. Ground was form the cigarette lighter connector. Easiest location.

[Luisv]

Once the power is wired the rest is academic. You simply tidy up the wires and drop the unit in under the radio.

This is the unit used.



The unit tucked in under the radio bracket. If I had designed it, I would not have gotten a better fit! I place some high adhesion doubled faced tape on the device and tucked it in there. No rattles will ever be heard.



I then ran the wire back under the center console and out. When not used I just drop in behind the passenger seat.



The radio back in and tuned to 87.9 FM playing Steppenwolf's remixed "Magic Carpet Ride"!



Sound is excellent. The device works by cutting out the incoming FM signal and replacing it with the signal coming from the device. Essentially eliminating any kind of interference. The output is clean and crisp, no signal noise at all. Frankly, sounds as good as my 2010 Charger with the integrated iPod factory radio. The only catch is that you must use the iPod to control the playing music. However, it is a small price to pay for never having to swap CD's and looking for songs. The other benefit is that it charges the device as well so no need to have a second charger. It will charge all iPod/iPhone devices except the iPod Shuffle version. The unit is available with an Aux port as well, so you can hook up any MP3 player, phone and/or Satellite Radio. Awesome little device.

In the end I kept the stock head unit, did not mar the interior and got tunes in the process! All requirements I had!

[Helo Steve]

I wrote in your other posting of this process, might as well post it again along with an update:

This was very easy to install and I'm glad to keep the stock radio and be able to use an iPod/iPhone input. Don't be discouraged if you have the lightning connector on your apple device. Walmart and others sells a 30pin to light converter. It's short enough not to get in the way.

On another note, I ripped my car apart today chasing what I though was a bad ground after checking all the connections I made. Lots of static coming through whenever I would hit a bump... After not finding any issues with the grounds I decided to start over checking the connections. This time I checked the connector shown in Luis' picture below the one showing the fuse box. (The one with the red tag attached) I found that the mating connector had a pin that wasn't fully seated from the factory.

I'd definitely recommend this device, even with the pushed pin... Just worth it to check the pins and connectors front and back to save possible trouble down the road!

[slitherv10]

Would it not have been simpler to just buy a modern ungraded head unit with all that plus Bluetooth, sat radio, and all the new fancy prancy stuff the all new models come with and that way you keep your stock head unit safe and sound and untouched?

just saying, but, very good write up for those wanting to go this route. I know I will be changing my unit this summer but with a kenwood unit that has every possible feature and only 120 dineros

[Helo Steve]

Sure, but I wouldn't use that stuff and no "off the shelf" connector seems to work. So you'd have to cut up the car's harness or run all new wiring, which would be much more work. I looked everywhere for the connectors used on the stock unit side to build an interface harness, but never had any luck.

[Thawk97]

great writeup - I may end up doing this. I also don't want to mess with the stock stuff - but this plug & play, easily removable setup is a great solution

[CottonMouth]

I recently installed the FM Modulator mentioned above and so far I'm pleased with it. It works well and I didn't need to splice into the factory wiring harness in any way, which was the main reason I went this route. This write up was great and helped a lot.

[72hemi]

This looks like a great option! I might just have to order one.

[City]

Does anyone know if this will work on newer head units, i.e., Gen 4's?

[City]

Does anyone know if this will work on newer head units, i.e., Gen 4's?

Well, I guess they do:

https://www.isimplesolutions.com/iph...px?mode=review

[Luisv]

Does anyone know if this will work on newer head units, i.e., Gen 4's?

Should not be a problem. This uses standard antenna connections. Power is the same regardless.

You should be good...

[MACH4444]

TAGGED COMPONETS.jpgTAGGED COMPONETS.jpgpackage.jpg Performed this on my 200RT/10 but used the I SIMPLE IS-32FOR Android devices. could not have been easier. 2 wires to connect (positive and negative for power) other 2 connections are connectors one is clearly marked "to switch only". 2 antenna wires. one goes to radio antenna in the other to antenna plug on back of radio.

[01sapphirebob]

I'm really thinking I want to do this. Just find it hard to "mod" my GEN II. The car is completely stock and I love it that way BUT I see this car taking a few long road trips next year and the thought of lugging around all my cd's is troubling.

[Helo Steve]

I'm with you on that Bob, but this is about as unintrusive as it can get!

[MACH4444]

Agreed. This so easy to install and deinstall I kick myself for not doing it sooner. Nothing gets damaged and it is easy to undo.
Like Luis' on my Rt/10 there is a spot located under the radio that seems made to fit.

[01sapphirebob]

So ive done this upgrade to my RT/10 but ive ran into a speed bump. I used the add a fuse in the number six spot as Luis suggested and have everything hooked up and back together but now i dont have any turnsignals. Its weird. The add a fuse i bought has slots for two fuses. The iSimple will only work when the add a fuse is plugged in with the extra fuse slots facing down towards the floor, the 10 fuse for the turn signals plugged in the bottom extra fuse slot, and that same 10 fuse is plugged in with the "10" facing down. Weird to say the least. With everything hooked up like that i hvae no turnsignals. I have my hazard lights but no turn signals.

The 10 fuse itself is fine as ive tested it on its own and it works and if i have any different configuration then whats listed above i get my turn signals back but then now power to the iSimple. So...any thoughts or suggestions? Bad add a fuse? Something wrong with the "10" fuse. Any input is appreciated.

[RTTTTed]

Chopping the wiring harness to the amp is one of the worst jobs ever. The wires are so tiny that soldering is nearly impossible. I'd suggest wiring to the rear would be worth getting a cable from the junkyard or using the connector in the back of a 90s CDplayer to Cassette deck such as the Infinity unit of the Chryslers and what was used in the Daytona IROC R/Ts I wrote a How to on wiring the newer head unit as many provinces/states now require handsfree units and I often have trouble hearing through a crap cell phone. Most Bluetooth head units do reproduce the sound almost as good as the caller sitting beside you.

[Damn Yankee]

Thoughtful write up.

More food for thought. I use a Peltor blue tooth headphone set with boom mike now. It allows me to totally forget the wiring altogether.

What do I get?

Magnificent fidelity.
Absolutely quiet environment
Auto cell phone sync.
Sound cancellation at the mike for perfect calls.
Auto pick up...and hang up
A bazillion songs
You tube etc etc
Allows for exterior sounds to be heard (sirens/conversation)
Drone is compleye gone

[Camfab]

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608...d=1.9&rs=0&p=0

You really wear something like this in your car?

[redrichard]

Does anyone know if this will work on newer head units, i.e., Gen 4's?

Well, I guess they do:

https://www.isimplesolutions.com/iph...px?mode=review

Scott: the solutions site was a little vague on which unit fits Dodge/Viper do you know a model # ?

[Luisv]

There is no Dodge/Chrysler system for direct connection to the wring harness that I can find. As a result, the units that would be guaranteed to work are the ones that cut into the antenna on the radio. That is what was used in my case and in the write up above. This type of unit will work with any car.

From the current iSimple site, that would be:

http://www.isimplesolutions.com/list...-solution.html

or

http://www.isimplesolutions.com/list...t-blu-ios.html

The second one uses Bluetooth to connect. The first one uses a physical wire (lightning connector) to connect.

[Rook]

I have mine on order. Where did you guys put the power switch? Just trying to figure out a place to put it that looks good and its not just hanging out somewhere.