My aux input solution

deeger · 05-25-2004, 09:22 AM

I recently installed an XM Commander in my Titan, connected to the aux input, but was unhappy with the low volume and overall sound. I also did not like having to run a cable from behind the dash to plug into the jack on the front. This is my solution:
I first bought one of these http://store.myradiostore.com/pieldliamwis.html
and then raided radio shack for some cables. I bought 2 rca combiner/splitters and used these to split the inputs on the PIE amp. I then ran a normal rca cable from the XM commander unit to one of these inputs. I then connected an (rca to 1/8” stereo) cable to the other input and ran the other end from behind the dash under the carpet and up into my center console (bench seats). This is where I keep an mp3 player. I then removed the dash aux input from the dash panel (just remove the 2 screws) and ran another (rca to 1/8” stereo) cable from the outputs of the amp then plugged into the dash aux input.

Now the XM tuner, Pie amp, cables and the dash aux input fits behind the dash (barely). Now with the dash panel back on you have a totally clean install with no cables showing except a small section coming from under the seat up into the center console (I’ve have an idea to fix this too). The best part is that now both the XM tuner and my mp3 player are running through the amp and both sound great. The XM volume level and sound quality is very close to that of the cd player, which considering what is actually in this truck is not all that bad. Before I did this I was ready to rip out those crappy Panasonic speakers and put in a couple of amps, sub etc. Now at least I can wait until I really have the money to do this. For those of you who don’t have the $ to change the head unit, cd changer, dash panel, steering wheel controls etc., this might be a good solution.

A side note: if I have my mp3 player unplugged the XM signal gets through. If I plug in the mp3 player it somehow overrides the XM signal and plays. I do not have to turn off the XM, like I thought…weird.

JJ

Chilicat · 05-25-2004, 09:52 AM

That's the ld-1 line level amp? Where did you power it from? I am expecting one of those power supplies from that store this week to power my SkyFi and wonder if I can power both the LOC and the XM off the same circuit (tapped into my passenger side lighter).

I plan to do something very similar. The only difference is I plan to have a 6' 1/8th stereo cord come out from under the dash into the top of my lower cup holder (popular package) and keep it coiled in there when not in use. That was I can keep all cords hidden when not in use and change off from mp3 player, portable DVD player, etc.

titanmike · 05-25-2004, 10:40 AM

Doesn't all those wires get in the way of the beer, i mean soda cans?

deeger · 05-25-2004, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilicat

That's the ld-1 line level amp? Where did you power it from? I am expecting one of those power supplies from that store this week to power my SkyFi and wonder if I can power both the LOC and the XM off the same circuit (tapped into my passenger side lighter).

I plan to do something very similar. The only difference is I plan to have a 6' 1/8th stereo cord come out from under the dash into the top of my lower cup holder (popular package) and keep it coiled in there when not in use. That was I can keep all cords hidden when not in use and change off from mp3 player, portable DVD player, etc.

yes thats the one
I wanted to power it off the lighter too, but could not easily get to those wires without pulling the rest of the dash apart. I just pulled out the head unit and found a wire using a meter that gave me 12v with the key on (its the violet one). The power wire to the ld-1 amp has its own inline fuse. For a good and easy ground use the large screws that hold your head unit in place, because there is metal back there behind the plastic.

JJ

smoketitan · 05-25-2004, 11:07 AM

how did you pull the front piece off--I am having the darndest time pulling it off

Sammy Sandbag · 05-25-2004, 11:10 AM

It just clips in. I started at a bottom corner and unpoped it and then just worked my way around till it was off. Just be careful.

smoketitan · 05-25-2004, 11:14 AM

thx samy--man you are way cool I swear you are answering all my qusetions--they need to make you a moderator or something

Sammy Sandbag · 05-25-2004, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoketitan

thx samy--man you are way cool I swear you are answering all my qusetions--they need to make you a moderator or something

No problem buddy, I try to make myself useful.

smoketitan · 05-30-2004, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeger

yes thats the one
I wanted to power it off the lighter too, but could not easily get to those wires without pulling the rest of the dash apart. I just pulled out the head unit and found a wire using a meter that gave me 12v with the key on (its the violet one). The power wire to the ld-1 amp has its own inline fuse. For a good and easy ground use the large screws that hold your head unit in place, because there is metal back there behind the plastic.

JJ

thx deeger for the power wire idea, and the ground. I used the violet and the screw to hard wire my ipod to the dash. pulled the aux input inside the dash, and hard wired a belkin adapter to a third cigarette lighter from radio shack. pulled the cord under through the cup holder, and coverd it in black tape to concealed it better. thanks

EWA Titan · 05-31-2004, 12:27 AM

This might seem like a stupid question, but I take it you dont have the Rockford Fosgate system. Im curious about doing a similar thing and I dont haver the RF system, just the 6 disc. Are there any imputs on the radio itself other than the one in the dash? I would kind of like to have my cake and eat it too.

smoketitan · 05-31-2004, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWA Titan

This might seem like a stupid question, but I take it you dont have the Rockford Fosgate system. Im curious about doing a similar thing and I dont haver the RF system, just the 6 disc. Are there any imputs on the radio itself other than the one in the dash? I would kind of like to have my cake and eat it too.

nope I have the rf system--and yeah the radio sucks, but if you want to do both (if I have you figured correctly)--you can just buy a splitter for the aux jack from radio, and have one inside,and one outside per say. I would recommend you take the jack with you to make sure you get the right one. It screws from the face plate with a very small allen wrench. it was the smallest in my set.

let me know if you have any more questions

EWA Titan · 05-31-2004, 12:53 PM

Thanks, thats about what I was thinking about doing. Just trying to get a little more info before I started ripping into the dash.

avroflyer · 06-25-2004, 09:34 PM

I am currently in the planning stages of hardwiring my RCA Lyra. You gotta great plan and I assume a great looking set up Deeg! I understand all but the power part of your plan though. You powered the PIE off the Violet 12V of the HU, I see that, but how did you power your MP3 player? Is there anyway to simply remove a lighter from dash like you did the AUX port and plug in the power that way? Otherwise, I am leery of cutting the power cord for my Lyra and tapping it off somewhere (dont want to risk frying it).

Sammy Sandbag · 06-25-2004, 09:59 PM

I'm not Deeger, but I haven't been able to figure out how to get to the cig lighter's wires, but I plan on wiring my mp3 player's charger up to a 12v source, probably the same HU on line. I probably just take apart the car charger and hard wire it behind the dash. You shouldn't have to worry about frying anything as long as you still get the voltage drop provided by the charger.

Slider · 06-25-2004, 10:42 PM

I am considering the same thing, but I am kind of an idiot when it comes to that stuff. I started another post a few days ago about hooking up my iPod through the aux line and got some good responses. I think it was Smoke that said he was able to buy a third cig lighter, wired it in the same way as above, taped the car charger into the lighter, removed the aux input and wired into it, ran the 30 pin connector end of the charger out under the consule and through the cup holder. Wanted to eventually run it up the dash to the center tray I think. I have the captain's chairs and was thinking about trying to power it off of the rear power input. Why don't any of you guys that have wired it all behind the dash live out here in Colorado to help my dumbass?!?!? I'll figure it out I guess, just get nervous about doing something that I have no idea about.