Currently have the stock entry-level stereo, and wondering if anyone can point me to a product to fulfill my need (or tell me it can't be done). Here's the bullet points:

- I want a wireless connection between phone and sound system. I know there are adapters for the AUX port, or ones that plug in to a 12v outlet, but I want something more integrated.
- Most of the issue revolves around the fact that I'm usually topless/doorless: I don't want anything that gets left out (or that I would have to constantly be pulling out and putting away); anything susceptible to damage from dust or moisture; etc.
- I don't want to replace the stereo itself (I rather like it, actually)
- I don't need any kind of additional calling features (built in microphone, extra control buttons, etc.) since it's pretty useless while driving open. I've seen systems that are close to what I want, but they're far fancier than I really need. I really just want to be able to play music.

So basically, does anyone know of a minimalist product that can be installed behind the dash that will allow for a Bluetooth connection to the sound system without any extra frills?

 

That's kind of a tough one. The only thing I can think of is you hardwire in one of the 12v/aux models so that it's all behind the dash rather than out front. That said, I've never been too happy with those things since you have to change the input to aux to be able to use it. I guess for something like music it's not a big deal, but it gets cumbersome with phone functionality. Outside of changing the head unit I can't think of another alternative. Curious to see if someone else does.

 

I've seen where a guy opened the factory radio and hardwired in an aux cord to the inside of the radio but that seems like a lot of work. I had one that worked pretty well that was about the size of a flash drive and it would plug into the aux port and you could connect reliably to it. It did need the occasional charge from a phone charger but it worked well. My friend lost it ubeunder the seat and with everything extra bolted in, I don't know that I'll ever see it again. It was easy to remove when you parked and didn't have extra wires sitting around. I'd leave it in the chip cup holder with the top down, nobody bothered with it.

 

Ahhh, here's something that looks to be what I'm looking for!

I wonder what it would take to wire that into the stereo so that using the Aux input would result in a signal from that receiver... Would be pretty slick if I could get it to work!

 

Interesting. following along to see if it works. Would be useful to put in some of my other vehicles if it did.

 

Could do it the lazy way like the dealership did with the wife's DVD setup in her old minivan. All they did is run a 3.5mm under the trim so a little nub of it stuck out where it plugs into the AUX and the rest under the dash and around

 

After additional research into the wiring subject... that's probably exactly what's going to happen. Supposedly the interior of the radio isn't really alterable by anyone that doesn't have an electrical engineering degree, but I'll pop it apart and double check anyway. I'm still waiting on the receiver to arrive, but once it does and I've gotten the chance to get it all put together, I'll be sure to post up with commentary on the effectiveness of the outcome.

 

So I got the module installed. Spliced the power and ground into the dash 12v adapter so it'd only have power with the key in, ran the Aux cable out through the pieces of the dash, and mounted the unit itself inside the dash against the driver side so it sits just a couple inches away from my phone mount. Initial reactions are that it's a brilliant success. Pretty cheap, easy to install, seems to work great. Not QUITE as elegant as I would have liked, as I couldn't get it hardwired in, but over all I'm quite pleased so far!


Mounting location. Blue wire doesn't have (as far as I can figure out) any purpose in this application, so it's taped up out of the way.




The totality of external evidence. Got a nice flat 90 degree jack so it doesn't stick out, in chrome/black so it matches the rest of the trim on the stereo.

 

The blue is usually your amp turn on wire, maybe it's meant to be a part of a boosted mobile system where you can turn on the amp and just plug in your sound.

 

Correct, but since in this particular instance the audio output is from the receiver to the stereo via a standard 3.5mm audio jack it means everything that's being sent to the sound system is being handled by the stereo.

Thus, as far as I can tell, no need for that blue wire on the Bluetooth unit!