1997ThunderbirdLXV6
Seasoned PostWhore
Is there a better way to connect an aux cable to the factory head unit (than my current cassette adapter)?
Aux-in cable on our head units?
- Thread starter 1997ThunderbirdLXV6
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2023
- Messages
- 1,449
- Location
- Tennessee
- Vehicle Details
- Chameleon 1995 Thunderbird LX 4.6
Find a Ford radio that has been retrofitted with an aux port.
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
Seasoned PostWhore
...just found this:
Aux In on Factory/OEM Radio - Guide - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks - Aux In on Factory/OEM Radio - Guide - Good evening all, With the hurricane passing through I've had a few moments to finalize a modification I had been wanting to do for quite some time. You will need: Factory Ford head unit/radio Ford radio removal...
www.ford-trucks.com
I did the Aux In mod it to my Firebirds OEM stereo. It was a fun project and love the factory look! The goal was to put the input on the face of the stereo but I couldn't find a location for it that was unobstructed. I actually like having the 1/8 jack out of the way now
Would do the same to my Cougar, but I've already changed enough on it that the aftermarket look of the stereo doesn't bother me.
Would do the same to my Cougar, but I've already changed enough on it that the aftermarket look of the stereo doesn't bother me.
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
Seasoned PostWhore
It needs to be on the CD input to play through the Aux In. The 1/8 jack that is used disconnects the CD players input to the amp when a plug is inserted. It seems to be more complicated than the Ford mod because 5 wires total need to the spliced to mke it work.
Fixed
Ford got into the blobby button thing too for sure, but GM’s unique fascination with that primer grey color contrast was.. unique.
That said as a child of the 90s it makes me nostalgic for the fisher price toys of the time
. And it’s infinitely better than a stupid touchscreen!
1997ThunderbirdLXV6
Seasoned PostWhore
So today, I had my dash apart for an update of the cubby illumination, and I came up with an aux-in solution:
I'll keep the cassette adapter, primarily because the sound is adequate, and I'm not skilled to solder wires to the circuit board (as in the article linked above). The wire from the adapter to the jack remains hidden behind the radio and comes out inside the cubby. Nothing new so far.
The annoying part of this solution was the whirring sound from the cassette deck, especially when only navigation or speech is played (rather than music). So I thought it might work without that noise if I simply cut the wire to the motor. That was a fail; the motor is needed to push that electromagnetic whatchamacallit into the cassette. However, once that's done, the input works without the motor!
In other words, for the cassette adapter to function, the motor needs about a second worth of power; then it's no longer needed.
Those familiar with my mods know that I have an unused momentary button in my center console (which used to be an O/D off button). I wired that button to the motor of the cassette deck. Now, when I begin using the cassette adapter, all I have to do is push the button for a second for the deck to engage; then...no more whirring sound.
Hey, I realize this may come across like a hack job. But it functions, and I can maintain the stock radio look.
I'll keep the cassette adapter, primarily because the sound is adequate, and I'm not skilled to solder wires to the circuit board (as in the article linked above). The wire from the adapter to the jack remains hidden behind the radio and comes out inside the cubby. Nothing new so far.
The annoying part of this solution was the whirring sound from the cassette deck, especially when only navigation or speech is played (rather than music). So I thought it might work without that noise if I simply cut the wire to the motor. That was a fail; the motor is needed to push that electromagnetic whatchamacallit into the cassette. However, once that's done, the input works without the motor!
In other words, for the cassette adapter to function, the motor needs about a second worth of power; then it's no longer needed.
Those familiar with my mods know that I have an unused momentary button in my center console (which used to be an O/D off button). I wired that button to the motor of the cassette deck. Now, when I begin using the cassette adapter, all I have to do is push the button for a second for the deck to engage; then...no more whirring sound.
Hey, I realize this may come across like a hack job. But it functions, and I can maintain the stock radio look.
