Bottom line...I'm sick of FM transmitters! I'm wanting an interface for my iPhone 4 to plug into my factory radio, and also preferably charge it also. The radio is the 6-disc changer radio in a 2003 f250 lariat 6.0 (if that even matters).


Also, I called PIE, cause they seem to be getting the best reviews. The models I looked at were the FRDN-AUX and using it with the RCA-POD. The lady on the phone said it would work with the iPhone 4, but if you click on the link to the RCA-POD it says that it is not compatible with any iphones. Anybody know anything about this?

 

This will give you a direct input for the headphone jack of the iphone into the radio using the aux key on the radio.

It will give you no display or control.

The PIE adapter runs about $65.

If you shop Crutchfield outlet you can get an Alpine unit that will display the text, charge the iphone and sound great for about $100 and some of the newer models use the iphone sync cable into the USB port on the unit. The older models use an Alpine specific cable for about $30.

 

I got my PIE adapters from OEM Autosound dot com.

During my research, I found that the iPod connector is different compared to the iPhone and iPod Touch connector. Physically it looks exactly the same, however it is wired differently.

While we do have multiple ipods, my wife has shown some interest in aquiring an iPhone 5 (when it comes out), and also has the iPod Touch. So it didn't make any sense to get the ipod connector if she was going to get an iPhone.

What I ended up doing was just getting a 3.5 mm plug to go into the headphone jack. It's a bit more versatile that way, as it'll plug into my Android phone, any Apple product through the headphone jack, and any other mp3 player.

I have this setup in both my Ranger and my wife's Expedition.

 

I came across this alpine unit during my searching, but when I saw a picture of the back of it, I saw a bunch of FM frequencies and assumed it used FM transmitting so I just went ahead and ruled it out. How exactly does it hook up?

As far as display and controls from the factory radio, I really don't care. I just want to be able to listen to my iPhone through my factory radio and not have to worry about cd's anymore.

I actually may just end up going with this same idea, but I came across another interesting device. It's a bit more expensive, but if I can find the harness needed to hook it up, I would be able to do hands free calling and listen to music all through bluetooth and not have any wires at all. The unit is the Brandmotion Guidepoint Connect. I just need to find someone who sells the harness that plugs into the blank auxiliary harness plug in the back of the radio. But correct me if I'm getting the wrong impression here: My radio doesn't have an "AUX" button, it has a "COMP" button. Whatever I wire up into this blank harness plug in the back of the radio will be what plays when I hit the COMP button right? Or does that do something totally different all together.

I've never played with these buttons before, and I would go check for myself but I'm somewhat bed ridden for the next couple days until I can have some minor surgery done which is mainly why I have all the idle time to do all this research haha

 

I only have experience with the cd, aux and sat buttons. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

Its cool man. You know where I can find a good single DIN dash kit?

 

OEM autosound dot com had great customer service, email correspondence was damn near real time. You could try them.

 

I have put in three different Alpine units. Two have a special connecting cord that is in the rear. The last one just used the USB port.

Check for the unit manual online or at Crutchfield where the connection is explained.

 

Actually somebody in my other thread brought something to my attention that I never thought of. Since I'm just gonna use my iPhone over CDs, why the hell do I wanna keep the factory player? So I went and got a nice JVC unit, dash kit, and wiring harness and still came out way cheaper with my bestbuy reward zone coupons. So, problem solved. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

Glad you got it all sorted out.

I only went the way I did because I wanted to keep the stock look.

 

Well I'm eventually gonna go with Kenwood's NAV/DVD system so I figured there's no sense in worrying about stock look.