iPod2Car Install
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,525
From: Orlando, Florida
iPod2Car Install
In this tutorial, I will be installing Peripheral's iPod2Car. This kit allows you to interface your iPod (3g, 4g, Mini, Photo, or nano) with your factory stereo, controls intact.
I would like to thank Trevor from ISS Electronics for providing the kit w/ adapters.
****I advise you to read through the iPod2Car manual before continuing with this install. Although I think my tutorial is thorough, it is smart idea to read through it for good measure.****
Parts Needed:
1x Peripheral iPod2Car iPod Interfacing Device
1x Peripheral PXHTY1 Adapter
1x Peripheral PXHTY2 Adapter
Tools Needed:
Flathead screwdriver
Philips screwdriver
10mm Box wrench or Socket wrench
Rags (optional)
Out of the Box
In the box comes the Peripheral iPod2Car iPod Interfacing Device and the PXHTY1/PXHTY2 adapters.
Now, with tools and iPod2Car in hand, head over to your car.
The Install
Pop the hood and unplug the negative lead from battery. You may want to cover it with a dry rag to prevent it from mistakenly making contact with the battery during the installation.
Now you are ready to get to business. Use flathead screwdriver covered in a rag to pop off the center interior trim.
Once the interior trim pieces are off, pull out the two outside climate control *****.
There will be two screws. Undo the screws and keep them in a safe place.
Now, you can pull the center panel off.
There are wires connected to it. You can either unplug them, or let the panel hang.
Now, undo the screws holding the head unit bracket in place. Once undone, put them in a safe place.
Once the screws are out, you can slide the head unit forward. I put it on its' side. The highlighted red socket is where you want to plug in the PXHTY2 adapter
If you have not already done so, connect the two harness together like this:
Make sure they are connected. They might need a little more elbow grease than usual.
Insert the PXHTY2 adapter plug into the second socket (from the right) on the back of the head unit.
****DO NOT plug in the PXHTY1 harness into the iPod2Car unit until you set the dip switches.****
The manual says to have this setup for the Scion head unit:
I was not happy with the results. The volume output was low, there was an audible hum, and the controls seemed laggy. I ended up switching #6 to ON. Apparently #6 is a volume booster of some sort. I was not able to get any concrete information on the dip switches, so YMMV...
Once you set up the dip switches, plug the PXHTY1 harness into the iPod2Car unit. Also, plug the dock connector cable to the iPod2Car unit. If you want, you can reconnect the battery to make sure the unit works with your iPod. Plug the dock connector into the iPod, turn on the car, turn on the head unit, and press the CD button until it goes into "CD Aux" mode.
Once you verify that the unit works, go ahead and figure out where you want to have the dock connector. There are a few places you can feed the cable to...glove box, one of the cubby holes, center console, etc. I fed it through behind the dash to the bottom cubby.
After feeding the dock connector cable, you can start putting everything back together.
I put the iPod2Car unit behind the head unit. It seemed pretty snug back there. Slide the head unit back in. Screw in the head unit bracket. Re-install the center panel and interior trim. Once everything is re-installed, double-check the head unit to make sure everything works okay. Once everything is checked, you should be good to go. Enjoy listening to your iPod in your car the way it was meant to be listened!
(4g iPod in a Griffin iSqueez)
Final Thoughts
After playing with the iPod2Car setup for a little under a month, I have formed a noteworthy opinion on it. The audio quality (w/ dip switch #6 ON) is fantastic. Being able to skip the the next/previous song via the head unit is great. Sometimes I forget I'm playing music via the iPod. The ability to charge the iPod while plugged into the iPod2Car is such a perk, as well. I rarely charge my iPod anywhere but in my car now. Also, being able to use the iPod controls while connected to the iPod2Car is a feature that is not available on all direct-connection iPod setups.
Even though I like the iPod2Car a lot, it still has flaws...but they are easily overcome. The auto-on/off feature is a bit flakey. I'm not sure if it is because I have dip switch #6 in the ON position, but I have found a work-around. If you press Track-Down on the head unit, it will wake up the iPod, but it won't activate the play function. If you switch to CD, then back to CD Aux, it will activate the play function. If I turn off the car and the iPod is still on, I put the iPod in sleep mode, manually.
If there are any questions, please post here, PM or email me.
I would like to thank Trevor from ISS Electronics for providing the kit w/ adapters.
****I advise you to read through the iPod2Car manual before continuing with this install. Although I think my tutorial is thorough, it is smart idea to read through it for good measure.****
Parts Needed:
1x Peripheral iPod2Car iPod Interfacing Device
1x Peripheral PXHTY1 Adapter
1x Peripheral PXHTY2 Adapter
Tools Needed:
Flathead screwdriver
Philips screwdriver
10mm Box wrench or Socket wrench
Rags (optional)
Out of the Box
In the box comes the Peripheral iPod2Car iPod Interfacing Device and the PXHTY1/PXHTY2 adapters.
Now, with tools and iPod2Car in hand, head over to your car.
The Install
Pop the hood and unplug the negative lead from battery. You may want to cover it with a dry rag to prevent it from mistakenly making contact with the battery during the installation.
Now you are ready to get to business. Use flathead screwdriver covered in a rag to pop off the center interior trim.
Once the interior trim pieces are off, pull out the two outside climate control *****.
There will be two screws. Undo the screws and keep them in a safe place.
Now, you can pull the center panel off.
There are wires connected to it. You can either unplug them, or let the panel hang.
Now, undo the screws holding the head unit bracket in place. Once undone, put them in a safe place.
Once the screws are out, you can slide the head unit forward. I put it on its' side. The highlighted red socket is where you want to plug in the PXHTY2 adapter
If you have not already done so, connect the two harness together like this:
Make sure they are connected. They might need a little more elbow grease than usual.
Insert the PXHTY2 adapter plug into the second socket (from the right) on the back of the head unit.
****DO NOT plug in the PXHTY1 harness into the iPod2Car unit until you set the dip switches.****
The manual says to have this setup for the Scion head unit:
I was not happy with the results. The volume output was low, there was an audible hum, and the controls seemed laggy. I ended up switching #6 to ON. Apparently #6 is a volume booster of some sort. I was not able to get any concrete information on the dip switches, so YMMV...
Once you set up the dip switches, plug the PXHTY1 harness into the iPod2Car unit. Also, plug the dock connector cable to the iPod2Car unit. If you want, you can reconnect the battery to make sure the unit works with your iPod. Plug the dock connector into the iPod, turn on the car, turn on the head unit, and press the CD button until it goes into "CD Aux" mode.
Once you verify that the unit works, go ahead and figure out where you want to have the dock connector. There are a few places you can feed the cable to...glove box, one of the cubby holes, center console, etc. I fed it through behind the dash to the bottom cubby.
After feeding the dock connector cable, you can start putting everything back together.
I put the iPod2Car unit behind the head unit. It seemed pretty snug back there. Slide the head unit back in. Screw in the head unit bracket. Re-install the center panel and interior trim. Once everything is re-installed, double-check the head unit to make sure everything works okay. Once everything is checked, you should be good to go. Enjoy listening to your iPod in your car the way it was meant to be listened!
(4g iPod in a Griffin iSqueez)
Final Thoughts
After playing with the iPod2Car setup for a little under a month, I have formed a noteworthy opinion on it. The audio quality (w/ dip switch #6 ON) is fantastic. Being able to skip the the next/previous song via the head unit is great. Sometimes I forget I'm playing music via the iPod. The ability to charge the iPod while plugged into the iPod2Car is such a perk, as well. I rarely charge my iPod anywhere but in my car now. Also, being able to use the iPod controls while connected to the iPod2Car is a feature that is not available on all direct-connection iPod setups.
Even though I like the iPod2Car a lot, it still has flaws...but they are easily overcome. The auto-on/off feature is a bit flakey. I'm not sure if it is because I have dip switch #6 in the ON position, but I have found a work-around. If you press Track-Down on the head unit, it will wake up the iPod, but it won't activate the play function. If you switch to CD, then back to CD Aux, it will activate the play function. If I turn off the car and the iPod is still on, I put the iPod in sleep mode, manually.
If there are any questions, please post here, PM or email me.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,525
From: Orlando, Florida
Originally Posted by LVXB
Hey, Michael, does it charge the ipod as well?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 16
From: New York
RE: Ipod2car
I heard this thing was really good. It says that you need a seperate harness from toyota, is this true? If so, where did you get it and how much was it? Did you get it from the dealer. Also, I was looking around and saw that Metra makes a very similair unit to this one, but it seems as if you do not need the toyota harness, it is also like 40 bucks cheaper. Did you look into this before buying PAC's ipod2car?
Here is the link for the metra piece. This site also offers a cheaper version than the Metra one, it is called USA spec, it looks kinda bootlegged though. Let me know your thoughts on what is best.
http://www.mobilcaraudio.com/catalog...38/1550816.htm
Here is the link for the metra piece. This site also offers a cheaper version than the Metra one, it is called USA spec, it looks kinda bootlegged though. Let me know your thoughts on what is best.
http://www.mobilcaraudio.com/catalog...38/1550816.htm
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,525
From: Orlando, Florida
The Peripheral PXHTY1 and PXHTY2 Adapters are the harnesses that are needed for the install. They came with the kit ISS Electronics sent me, but I think most places sell them for $10 a harness. You can also get them at your local car audio store (might be under another brand)...
Over the summer, I was looking at the Metra and USA Spec units. Both the Metra and USA Spec kits are car-brand-specific. They already come with the harnesses needed in the box, but they do have their flaws... Both kits only allow up to 6 playlists (name-specific), and they lock out the iPod screen/controls. USA Spec is coming out with a PA-11 kit, which allows you to control the iPod via the iPod controls, but the price is higher than the PA-10. Owners of the US Spec PA-10 can send their unit in for a reflash to PA-11, but it costs $20 or so. The Metra and US Spec kits are decent, but I found it hard to put money on them. I really like the iPod2Car, though. :D
Over the summer, I was looking at the Metra and USA Spec units. Both the Metra and USA Spec kits are car-brand-specific. They already come with the harnesses needed in the box, but they do have their flaws... Both kits only allow up to 6 playlists (name-specific), and they lock out the iPod screen/controls. USA Spec is coming out with a PA-11 kit, which allows you to control the iPod via the iPod controls, but the price is higher than the PA-10. Owners of the US Spec PA-10 can send their unit in for a reflash to PA-11, but it costs $20 or so. The Metra and US Spec kits are decent, but I found it hard to put money on them. I really like the iPod2Car, though. :D
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,525
From: Orlando, Florida
Originally Posted by barefootbilly
price? link?
Originally Posted by scioneezDream
Sounds good. ISS electronics? Cant find it. Gotta link?
They were supposed to go live this weekend, but I guess not. *shrug*
You can call them a 1-815-933-7655. Ask for Trevor.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,525
From: Orlando, Florida
Originally Posted by bBsactoguy
Well... I found the kit online..
its frikkin 179.00... soooo tempted!!!
its frikkin 179.00... soooo tempted!!!
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 400
From: Harrisburg, PA
Hey, nice write up man...I have done one for the tC complete w/ pictures.
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=90300
It's basically the same as the xB or xA just removing the HU is different which I have pictures of.
As far as price goes, I got mine on eBay for $89.95 + s/h of like $5. It's not marked 'Peripheral' or 'ipod2car'...but it's the same thing.
The guy I got mine from included the PXHTY1 harness cable but I picked up the PXHTY2 cable thru Crutchfield for $9.99 + free s/h.
I'd definitely go check out the eBay one. The guy is reliable and I think someone else bought one when I posted the link about 2 weeks ago.
Link to eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/IPOD-CAR-INTERFA...QQcmdZViewItem
If you want to search for it, search 'ipod2car' within titles and descriptions.
Do check out my walk-thru for the tC as well.
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=90300
It's basically the same as the xB or xA just removing the HU is different which I have pictures of.
As far as price goes, I got mine on eBay for $89.95 + s/h of like $5. It's not marked 'Peripheral' or 'ipod2car'...but it's the same thing.
The guy I got mine from included the PXHTY1 harness cable but I picked up the PXHTY2 cable thru Crutchfield for $9.99 + free s/h.
I'd definitely go check out the eBay one. The guy is reliable and I think someone else bought one when I posted the link about 2 weeks ago.
Link to eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/IPOD-CAR-INTERFA...QQcmdZViewItem
If you want to search for it, search 'ipod2car' within titles and descriptions.
Do check out my walk-thru for the tC as well.