How I hooked my iPod up with a Toyota radio, and kept OEM look

mthreat · 01-25-2008, 12:52 AM

I just finished up this project tonight, and wanted to share my work. My goal was to:

1) inexpensively hook my iPod up to my '95 MR2 stereo directly (no FM transmitters), while

2) retaining the OEM stereo look (no aftermarket stereo).

As a bonus, I can use my stereo's next/previous CD buttons to control the iPod song. Here's how I did it.

The main piece of work was finding a Toyota OEM stereo that would plug directly in to the 15-pin premium sound of my MR2, and also had a CD changer input. My stock MR2 stereo plugged directly into the 15-pin harness, of course, but they didn't start adding CD-changer inputs until around 1998. So I searched on eBay and found an OEM stereo from some other Toyota that had the 15-pin premium connector, and also had a CD changer input. I bought it for $160. Here's a side photo of the stereo I found:

I bought it from a guy named John Nguyen ("factoryradios" on eBay), who was very helpful in finding a radio that fit my requirements. Here's a link to his eBay page - eBay My World - factoryradios - but there are others selling these radios as well, and local stereo shops are likely to have them too.

Keep in mind, this 15-pin connector was used on 94-95 MR2s with premium sound. For older models, I don't know what kind of connector they used, feel free to post your findings in this thread.

The other part you'll need to connect your iPod to the stereo is a USA-Spec PA12-TOY (or find it on google). This runs about $150, and it plugs into the CD-changer input on the back of the car stereo, and emulates a CD changer. It's pretty nifty, and the sound is great, since it's a direct connection.

Once I had the parts, I used this helpful howto to remove the dash and stereo (remember to eject your CD first!):
MKII Toyota MR2 Audio How-To

Then I tested the new stereo to make sure everything worked. The two antenna wires plugged right in to the new stereo, as did the 15-pin connector, and USA-Spec iPod device plug. Here's a photo of the new stereo halfway installed, with the console dash piece off:

Once I was sure it all worked, I moved the mounting brackets from the old stereo to the new one, and put the new stereo in place. I had to put the USA-Spec device somewhere, so I velcroed it kind of behind the stereo, to the right. There's plenty of room for it down there. Alternatively, it comes with 4 screws that you can use to mount it.

It works and sounds excellent. Now I just need to figure out an iPhone mount (it works with either an iPod or iPhone). Here's how it looks finally installed - note the OEM look:

PETC · 01-25-2008, 01:51 AM

That's really cool man. Good work. If I wasn't really picky about sound system stuff I might do that. Also my boost controller and TT are in the second din spot, so I can't do it anyways.

But nice work none the less.

baktasht · 01-25-2008, 02:28 AM

great work! Someone really needs to make a nice iPod mount for the mr2.

Sylvan · 01-25-2008, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baktasht

great work! Someone really needs to make a nice iPod mount for the mr2.

Yea, someone *cough*Baktash*cough* should really make one. Awesome work with that stereo though. Looks 5 times better than my aftermarket unit.

mopwer · 01-25-2008, 05:42 AM

Very cool. If it was a little cheaper for the converter, I'd do it too. I already have a JVC HD unit with the IPOD adapter and it was about $250 total. I ran the IPOD wire to the upper compartment on the CD console. That's where my old IPOD sits.

JFYI, my 93 has the same 15 pin plug.

Greg

baktasht · 01-25-2008, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvan

Yea, someone *cough*Baktash*cough* should really make one. Awesome work with that stereo though. Looks 5 times better than my aftermarket unit.

I wish i had time right now. Maybe later this year

turbomr2 · 01-25-2008, 07:38 AM

great work. I just used an RCA hook up on my after market. It works great, but I've got a wire coming out of my dash.

canadam · 01-25-2008, 09:07 AM

Awesome work! I love when a writeup is innovative

Good idea Baktash

mthreat · 01-25-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baktasht

great work! Someone really needs to make a nice iPod mount for the mr2.

Proclip might work.. their site says they don't currently have one made for the 95 MR2, but maybe one from another car will fit: ProClip Mounting System *-*Choose Your Country

Anyone here used Proclip on their MkII MR2?

mopwer · 01-25-2008, 07:35 PM

Do you happen to have a pic of the back plugs? Not sure what the plug for the cd changer looks like on these. Thanks.

Greg

canadam · 01-25-2008, 07:42 PM

Too bad you had to settle for a Delco deck, was there any Matsu****a (Panasonic) or Fujitsu Ten (maker of Eclipse) ones that would have worked?

mthreat · 01-26-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopwer

Do you happen to have a pic of the back plugs? Not sure what the plug for the cd changer looks like on these. Thanks.

Here's a pic of the back, the CD changer plug is on the left, and the 15-pin connector on the right:

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadam

Too bad you had to settle for a Delco deck, was there any Matsu****a (Panasonic) or Fujitsu Ten (maker of Eclipse) ones that would have worked?

I didn't look for other brands, but if they will hook up to the toyota premium sound amp, and have a CD changer input, then it should work. I also think there are other Delco decks, including one with a built-in CD changer (in addition to the CD changer input for the iPod), but that one costs more.

mopwer · 02-05-2008, 08:23 PM

I just did the same thing you are describing here, but I can't figure out how to switch the head unit to cd changer mode. How do you do it?? Thanks.

Greg

mthreat · 02-05-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopwer

I just did the same thing you are describing here, but I can't figure out how to switch the head unit to cd changer mode. How do you do it?? Thanks.

Greg

Just push the "CD" button twice - it switches it between CD changer and internal CD player.

mopwer · 02-05-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mthreat

Just push the "CD" button twice - it switches it between CD changer and internal CD player.

Twice quick?

Greg

mthreat · 02-05-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mopwer

Twice quick?

Greg

nah, just normally.. each time you push it, if there's a CD in the internal player, and an external CD changer (or iPod), it will switch from one to the other.

mopwer · 02-06-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mthreat

nah, just normally.. each time you push it, if there's a CD in the internal player, and an external CD changer (or iPod), it will switch from one to the other.

That's what I thought. Mine isn't working. Think I got a bupkis radio. I'm also trying to use the Grom ipod adaptor. Didn't seem to work on this, but installed it in my wifes IS300 and it works fine.

Greg

mthreat · 02-10-2008, 01:34 PM

If anyone wants to do the same install I described above, here is another auction for the same stereo that I used, and also from the same seller:

eBay Motors: Toyota Avalon Camry 4 Runner Sienna CD Cassette Radio (item 190197334509 end time Feb-18-08 08:09:30 PST)

The auction ends Feb 18 in the morning.

01-25-2008, 12:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
mthreat Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 272 Thanks: 30 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	How I hooked my iPod up with a Toyota radio, and kept OEM look I just finished up this project tonight, and wanted to share my work. My goal was to: 1) inexpensively hook my iPod up to my '95 MR2 stereo directly (no FM transmitters), while 2) retaining the OEM stereo look (no aftermarket stereo). As a bonus, I can use my stereo's next/previous CD buttons to control the iPod song. Here's how I did it. The main piece of work was finding a Toyota OEM stereo that would plug directly in to the 15-pin premium sound of my MR2, and also had a CD changer input. My stock MR2 stereo plugged directly into the 15-pin harness, of course, but they didn't start adding CD-changer inputs until around 1998. So I searched on eBay and found an OEM stereo from some other Toyota that had the 15-pin premium connector, and also had a CD changer input. I bought it for $160. Here's a side photo of the stereo I found: I bought it from a guy named John Nguyen ("factoryradios" on eBay), who was very helpful in finding a radio that fit my requirements. Here's a link to his eBay page - eBay My World - factoryradios - but there are others selling these radios as well, and local stereo shops are likely to have them too. Keep in mind, this 15-pin connector was used on 94-95 MR2s with premium sound. For older models, I don't know what kind of connector they used, feel free to post your findings in this thread. The other part you'll need to connect your iPod to the stereo is a USA-Spec PA12-TOY (or find it on google). This runs about $150, and it plugs into the CD-changer input on the back of the car stereo, and emulates a CD changer. It's pretty nifty, and the sound is great, since it's a direct connection. Once I had the parts, I used this helpful howto to remove the dash and stereo (remember to eject your CD first!): MKII Toyota MR2 Audio How-To Then I tested the new stereo to make sure everything worked. The two antenna wires plugged right in to the new stereo, as did the 15-pin connector, and USA-Spec iPod device plug. Here's a photo of the new stereo halfway installed, with the console dash piece off: Once I was sure it all worked, I moved the mounting brackets from the old stereo to the new one, and put the new stereo in place. I had to put the USA-Spec device somewhere, so I velcroed it kind of behind the stereo, to the right. There's plenty of room for it down there. Alternatively, it comes with 4 screws that you can use to mount it. It works and sounds excellent. Now I just need to figure out an iPhone mount (it works with either an iPod or iPhone). Here's how it looks finally installed - note the OEM look:

01-25-2008, 05:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
mopwer 933SGTE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 1,098 Thanks: 24 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (12/100% )	Very cool. If it was a little cheaper for the converter, I'd do it too. I already have a JVC HD unit with the IPOD adapter and it was about $250 total. I ran the IPOD wire to the upper compartment on the CD console. That's where my old IPOD sits. JFYI, my 93 has the same 15 pin plug. Greg Last edited by mopwer; 01-25-2008 at 12:08 PM..

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01-25-2008, 01:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
PETC √(176400) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 2,567 Thanks: 28 Thanked 59 Times in 50 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	That's really cool man. Good work. If I wasn't really picky about sound system stuff I might do that. Also my boost controller and TT are in the second din spot, so I can't do it anyways. But nice work none the less.

01-25-2008, 02:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
baktasht EMSPowered.com Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,235 Thanks: 24 Thanked 161 Times in 138 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (44/98% )	great work! Someone really needs to make a nice iPod mount for the mr2.

01-25-2008, 07:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
turbomr2 Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chattavegas, TN Posts: 401 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	great work. I just used an RCA hook up on my after market. It works great, but I've got a wire coming out of my dash.

01-25-2008, 09:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 9,785 Thanks: 118 Thanked 136 Times in 116 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (29/100% )	Awesome work! I love when a writeup is innovative Good idea Baktash

01-25-2008, 07:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
mopwer 933SGTE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 1,098 Thanks: 24 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (12/100% )	Do you happen to have a pic of the back plugs? Not sure what the plug for the cd changer looks like on these. Thanks. Greg

01-25-2008, 07:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
canadam MidshipExpress Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 9,785 Thanks: 118 Thanked 136 Times in 116 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (29/100% )	Too bad you had to settle for a Delco deck, was there any Matsu****a (Panasonic) or Fujitsu Ten (maker of Eclipse) ones that would have worked?

02-05-2008, 08:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
mopwer 933SGTE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 1,098 Thanks: 24 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (12/100% )	I just did the same thing you are describing here, but I can't figure out how to switch the head unit to cd changer mode. How do you do it?? Thanks. Greg

02-10-2008, 01:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
mthreat Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 272 Thanks: 30 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	If anyone wants to do the same install I described above, here is another auction for the same stereo that I used, and also from the same seller: eBay Motors: Toyota Avalon Camry 4 Runner Sienna CD Cassette Radio (item 190197334509 end time Feb-18-08 08:09:30 PST) The auction ends Feb 18 in the morning.