Turning an ipod into a visteon cd stacker

[knp]

Hi All,

This is something I've been wondering about since we bought our disco in 2003...without a cd stacker.

Can I trick the radio/cd player into thinking it has a stacker attached with some creative wiring? Thus get my ipod or other music source to play music in place of said stacker?

Have looked through the RAVE cd for the wiring but it doesn't cover the OEM model radio (Visteon 6500 CD-Europe) our vehicle. (perhaps there is an update for the last of the D2's?)

Am reluctant to replace the OEM radio with an aftermarket jobbie because I like the steering wheel controls but will look more at this if someone knows of a compatible radio/cd head unit.

I guess what I need is some information on the wiring loom from the head unit to the stacker (under the driver's seat) so if anyone has some pics or a wiring diagram that they could post that'd be great.

Many thanks
Peter

[RMB3218]

Why don't you get a FM transmitter to suit you ipod. Check ebay

[dobbo]

It is possible but a damn sight easier to install a small amp and run the ipod through the RCA imput

[camel_landy]

If you want to do it properly, you need the Dension ICELink (http://www.dension.com/main.htm).

I've got one fitted to the 110 & it works a treat... I control the iPod as though it's a CD stacker, which means that I can also drive it using the remote control unit I have with the stereo. Perfect if you don't want to drag your CD collection around with you!

M

[knp]

Thanks all,

Already have an FM transmitter. It works OK but is not 100% and I like to tinker.

The Denison units look great and they have BT adaptor for phones etc as well. Noice. Bet they're not cheap though.

That is why I was after wiring info as it would make a good project.

Sorry for posting in wrong forum too.

Cheers
Peter

[camel_landy]

The Dension isn't just a cable...

There's a bit of circuitry as well as an applett which is dropped down to the iPod.

M

[discowhite]

i use this for my head unit. it may work for other units providing it has the same input plugs. but it works as your stacker controll would.



http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069685_307492523,00.html

cheers phil

[knp]

Hey discowhite

That looks like a good unit and the right price too but are you running a pioneer head unit? Not sure if it will work with my visteon one.

Cheers
Peter

[discowhite]

yes i have a pioneer HU.
i was kinda hoping that the stacker lead you have might be the same type of plug and that it MAY work. but if not pioneer HU's with the right IP-BUS connector port start at $180.

cheers phil

[solmanic]

There is also an equivalent Kenwood box which I use on our current Defender only I have the following observations to add.

Having had our iPod connected via this method we will probably opt to use a more basic connection in the new vehicle which allows navigation using the iPod itself. We have found it quite hard to navigate the iPod menus using the stereo head unit. You only get limited info scrolling across the stereo display which means you need to remember roughly what number album or track you're after. There is also a slight delay when punching in numbers before the music starts so when you are hunting for a particular tune it can get a little tedious.

On the plus side, the iPod does get power from this type of connection so there is no second cable needed to the cigatrette lighter. But I still think the frustrating navigation is worth considering a basic AV link.

[Utemad]

I used to fix car audio gear about 10 years ago. When having a stacker was just THE BEST! :D

From memory in the stacker cable there were (along with others) 4 audio wires L-+ and R-+. So if you picked up those four wires from the cable and tricked the headunit into thinking a stacker was connected (otherwise your headunit would just skip the stacker option) then I can't see why you couldn't use that as an input.

Start tinkering!

[knp]

If you want to do it properly, you need the Dension ICELink (http://www.dension.com/main.htm).

I've got one fitted to the 110 & it works a treat... I control the iPod as though it's a CD stacker, which means that I can also drive it using the remote control unit I have with the stereo. Perfect if you don't want to drag your CD collection around with you!

M

Thanks very much for this info camel_landy.

I looked up the Denison website and got an e-mail contact of the closest distributor (somewhere in NZ). So I sent off an enquiry and today got a reply saying that they don't have anything to suit a Land Rover.:(

So I am wondering if you could get back to me with the brand/model head unit you are running (Visteon?) and which Denison unit you have hooked up to it please?

Thanks in advance
Peter

[camel_landy]

Thanks very much for this info camel_landy.

I looked up the Denison website and got an e-mail contact of the closest distributor (somewhere in NZ). So I sent off an enquiry and today got a reply saying that they don't have anything to suit a Land Rover.:(

So I am wondering if you could get back to me with the brand/model head unit you are running (Visteon?) and which Denison unit you have hooked up to it please?

Thanks in advance
Peter

I use a Sony head unit...

The Dension products have changed a bit since I bought mine as they now have much more to offer. Mine was known as the "ICE>Link" but it now looks as though that has become the "ICE>Link Lite" with the active cradle.

M

[DiscoBarny]

Hi knp,

Did you ever manage to get a solution to your problem? I too have the Visteon 6500 and want to connect my iPhone to it to play music.

My old D1 used to have a line-in socket on the front, which would have been perfect.

Cheers