I can't take this any longer

[AZTB]

Re: I can't take this any longer

I have a couple of Jim Reeves & Patsy Cline CD's in my Bird...mellow country...love it!

[04birdman]

Re: I can't take this any longer

i use an adapter that plugs in to the lighter socket.....it works great if you buy the good one that has unlimited station settings...just find a station not in use the set the adapter to it.....i have used it in seattle and it has worked great.......

[007Cruiser]

Re: I can't take this any longer

Install Borlas and listen to that.

[Salprint]

Re: I can't take this any longer

As I told one other member on here, I have an Ipod adaptor that I bought for a 2007 Escape. It says it will work with any ford radio that has an auxiliary button. I would be more than willing to ship it to you and you can see if it works. If it doesn't, just ship it back. If it does work, all I want is $50.00 for it. It was $200.00 originally. I never used it. Attached is a picture. It has to be installed though...radio must come out to put in the harness and the wire to plug into your Ipod.

[Southern]

Re: I can't take this any longer

That's a really great offer. The problem is that I am not going to risk damaging my bird by trying to pull my first radio out of a car. I will leave that up to the pros.
Hard to believe that some of the more adventuresome (and younger) members won't take you up on it.....

And of course, our radios do not have an auxiliary button.

[merlot4]

Re: I can't take this any longer

Did I understand your question????? I thought you wanted a means of plugging in your Ipod. Unless you use a plug-in cigarette lighter transmitter type, you have no choice but to pull -or have pulled, your radio/cd player to get at the connections at the back. It would be helpful if you were more specific about what attributes you would like your connection to have.

[Sealy]

Re: I can't take this any longer

It would be helpful if you were more specific about what attributes you would like your connection to have.

I think he's fishing for ideas. Some people like to do that before they go to the "pro". It helps if you go in knowing what's available and some of your options. Otherwise, you're opening yourself up for a full skinning.
Recap:

• Plug in adapter - works from CD plug on back, keeps controls, somewhat unpredictable and limited.
• FM transmitter, fixed stations - FM quality audio, depends on reception, can be overridden by stronger stations.
• FM transmitter, adjustable stations - FM quality audio, depends on reception, better tuning
• FM modulator (not mentioned) - plugs into antenna, FM quality audio, clearer and cannot be overridden
• Full Replacement - Highest quality, PIA to get right (but worth it), pick and choose what you want (CD, bluetooth, navigation, DVD, satellite, i-Pod, etc)

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26812&highlight=upgrade

[Salprint]

Re: I can't take this any longer

That's a really great offer. The problem is that I am not going to risk damaging my bird by trying to pull my first radio out of a car. I will leave that up to the pros.
Hard to believe that some of the more adventuresome (and younger) members won't take you up on it.....

And of course, our radios do not have an auxiliary button.

Hmmm....my '04 PCR had an auxiliary button....wonder why yours doesn't.

[HEYMON1]

Re: I can't take this any longer

My Ford dealership was able to wire an I-Pod hookup that runs through the SAT button. It sounds great. I wouldn't be without it. By the way the cable is run discreetly under the console.

Monty-heymon1

[Southern]

Re: I can't take this any longer

I am a big believer in ipods (and other MP3 players)
I like oldies. I hate commercials. And I think Lady Gaga is a gag gag.
I dropped out of contemporary music when the coke heads took over rock and roll.

Although I have burned many, many CDs with my own personal mix (Prior to the iPod), I find most car changers to be finicky.
The Tbird seems to be typical.
I have 6 good CDs in right now (With an average of 20/25 songs per CD).
However it took about 10 CDs to get 6 to load and play properly.
I know I could take it in, but it has been my experience that car changers are just that way.......


As to the ipod....
Yes, I was looking for the myriad of ways that are possible.

Most all other forums that I have been on, have one unit/technique that is the consensus favorite.
That goes for the Vette forum.
The Nissan Murano Forum.
The Mercedes GLK forum.
The Cadillac DTS forum.
BMW Z3 forum.
Mazda Miata Forum.

Replacing the radio with a modern iPod capable Receiver is the best answer, and the most expensive.
Should give you seamless and complete operation of the iPod from the radio controls at a minimum.
I may go this way. I have no reason to keep the Bird original.
But that generally has quite a few problems of it's own having to do with mounting, etc.





Hard wire is the second best...coming in on a CD or Sat input.... Good sound and clean install......Definitely limited operations on every one i have ever seen.
BUT, this usually gives you "most" of the ipod operation.
You should at the least, From the steering wheel, have your iPod charging, forward- reverse song at a time(within the database or within a playlist) and of course volume up or down.
You usually do not have the ability to change playlists from the steering wheel. That is satisfactory for me.
I usually put the iPod in the glove compartment and rarely, if ever, touch it.
I preset the playlist I might want and set the iPod up for random play.


Some people have a cassette tape adapter.....Good sound, messy temporary install.....the Bird doesn't have a tape deck,so I will ignore this one.

FM Hard Wire is the third best. I believe iSimple makes one of these. iSimple outputis wired directly to the antenna lead and your iPod is just another FM station.
"Should" be OK.....(I have never heard or seen this system)

FM transmitter is the easiest and poorest answer. They usually drift around and FM sound is not nearly as good as direct wire sound. They also are generally Temporarily installed...so there are the usual wires draped around for charging, playing etc.
But they are easy to implement.



I will pursue the hard wired adapter because I have used that answer successfully on my Murano, Cadillac and Mercedes. Experience does mean a lot IMO.

Monty, I think I have found an adapter that will work, but I would surely like to know what adapter your dealer installed.
The SAT button (If it is a pure audio input) would be great!

I personally will not remove/reinstall the radio.
I am 72 years old and no longer do my own car work.
In fact, I rarely do any "work".
I did "work" for more than 40 years. Hard work.
I am retired now and hire just about everything done.
Yard work, Painting, housecleaning, auto maintenance, etc.

The only tasks that I still do are things like...cooking (because I enjoy it)...investing (because that is how I afford all my toys and habits).....boating (but no, I don't work on the boat..there are people for that).....travel (hopefully the Bird will facilitate my annual treks. March to Myrtle beach, May to Texas and Oklahoma, July/august Road trip all over the mid west/east coast, culminating in PA by early Aug)


Sal, I am brand new. Reading a bit, but am still a rookie when it comes to Retro birds.
AFAIK there were two trim levels deluxe and premium.......perhaps the premium was SAT ready and the Deluxe had an Aux input?
Just thrashing around here looking for a way to be wrong.
One thing that I DO know.
I have no "Aux" input.

Having a blast with my Bird (have to name the thing......)
My neighbors have hard time getting there minds around the fact that the car is
seven years old!

[DaiUyTed]

Re: I can't take this any longer

"Southern": My '05 is a Deluxe, with 6-CD-player. It has a "Sat" control button, and a CD/AUX select button. I bought the contraption that plugs into the unused satellite radio input in the back of the radio. I had my independent mechanic pull the radio and install it, leaving a short RCA pin cable lead protruding from the console. The lead plugs into my Sansa MP3 player's headphone jack, and is controllable from the steering wheel. Unit cast about $65 on eBay; installation was $72. The same contraption is available for iPods.

[Southern]

Re: I can't take this any longer

Oh yeah. I was looking for a Big AUX button. I see it now. It shares real estate with the CD button.

Yeah, thanks Ted. I am looking for the next step up in adapters.
They typically go from <>$125/200. My install in the Caddy was $50. so 50/75 is a good range. Suspect the dealer would be higher....

Unfortunately Mr Huff, my long term honest mechanic, died this past year and I have not found anybody to replace him.

The one you have is a true Aux input. It will take the sound from any device that outputs headphone/speaker sound...it's justa matterof adapters (RCA/3.5mm Mini, etc).

I'm looking for an adapter (well I guess I found one) that comes out with a 20 pin Ipod plug (Or however many pins there are...). This will charge the iPod and take the sound out of it before the volume control...it is a true line out.


Thanks, Ted.

[DaiUyTed]

Re: I can't take this any longer

This is the "contraption" I used. Options for iPd, Zune, etc. contraption
Lots of similar stuff on eBay; possible search "ford thunderbird ipod".

[Ediron]

Re: I can't take this any longer

Very confusing ,I'm glad I listen to AM radio

[Southern]

Re: I can't take this any longer

OK!
I have found the silver bullet.

The PIE FRD03-POD/S (5v)


Allows complete control of the iPod just like you had SAT radio installed.
Only this way, YOU control which songs are played!


Just got back from the install. All works perfectly.


I am a happy camper.