Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
Hi,
As you can see, i'm new here - and this looks like a great website. First, i'll start off by saying that I have a 2004 Jeep Liberty with a radio (of course) and a cd player. No cassette player, so the cassette adapter is out of the question. I'm getting a iPod mini for Christmas, and one of my biggest concerns is playing it in the car. I've looked at some of the options available and it looks like the BEST option is the Alpine set up - however, with that, I need to buy the head unit. I was prepared to do all of that until I read the limitations - including not being able to see ALL of your playlists/songs (did I read that correctly?) because if that's the case, than it's not worth the money. Also, I read that it's pretty slow to scroll through, and when you are dealing with 1,000 songs, you want something fast, which i'm sure the iPod mini controls are MADE to handle - unlike the Alpine head units. I have read they will be releasing updated head units to be able to handle iPods better, so i'm thinking about waiting until that's perfected - it's only natural that it wouldn't be perfect yet, therefore, i'm not spending $400.00.
My other option is the iTrip FM trasmitter - i've read GOOD things about this, however, i've also read some pretty negative things. I guess it all depends on your area when it comes to reception. I read that the sound quality is less than good as well.
So, what are the other options? I would like to "hardwire" the iPod so that I can control the music through the iPod itself - and get the BEST sound quality.
What are my options?
thanks for the suggestions in advance!!!!! - i'm new at this, but I would love any help that I could get so that I can enjoy my iPod mini in the car.
Thanks.
# 1 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
Check out the dension ice>link Plus system... To me it looks like the best system. Not just the first model of the system either. They have had experience at doing this setup and it looks pretty hott as it is.
www.densionusa.com
PureUK at 2007-11-15 15:55:15 >
# 2 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
Doesn't look like the icelink is supported in the Jeep.
You can use a FM modulator like the N-724 (www.autosound2000.com) (scroll about 1/2 way down) and a mini plug to rca adapter.
See the sticky post (http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31503) above. Sound quality will be much better than a transmitter.
-Wired fm Modulator
A wired fm modulator http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.j...toid=-12581&m=0 can be used with any headunit as it plugs into your antenna port on the back of the unit. These are a little more difficult to install as you also have to tie them into a power source. Notice that they come with a switch so you can turn them on and off and not lose you radio function. If you want more information, SEARCH the forum. To connect your ipod to a modulator, you need the RCA to 1/8? http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...ct%5Fid=42-2550 stereo adapter.
Any Circuit city/Best buy/Stereo shop will probably charge like 1/2 hr to install it for you.
# 3 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
thanks for the suggestions!
I've looked over it, and it does seem like a good product. I also saw this product the other night, what are your opinions on it?
http://www.mp3yourcar.com/default.asp
this is compatible with the Jeep Liberty - what do you think?
# 4 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
I also have a Jeep Liberty and opted for the KCA 420i, the 9827 head unit, and the setup to train the steering wheel audio controls. The Ipod connector is in the glove box. It all works great. I tend to set up my ipod with playlists, and they can all be seen and scrolled thru. If I had known how well the setup worked, I would have gone with a head unit with 2 or 3 lines of text like the 9835. You would be very happy with this product. I had it installed with the Liberty's stock speakers and the sound is terrific.
# 5 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
Originally posted by Marthas1
I also have a Jeep Liberty and opted for the KCA 420i, the 9827 head unit, and the setup to train the steering wheel audio controls. The iPod connector is in the glove box. It all works great. I tend to set up my ipod with playlists, and they can all be seen and scrolled thru. If I had known how well the setup worked, I would have gone with a head unit with 2 or 3 lines of text like the 9835. You would be very happy with this product. I had it installed with the Liberty's stock speakers and the sound is terrific.
that sounds pretty good I guess - but can you explain the limitations? about not being able to see all of your artist and such.
# 6 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
HarajukuGuy24
I have found a few minor limitations in the Alpine 9827/KCA420i, but none of which really bother me.
1. There is a maximum of 255 songs in a playlist that can be viewed. The songs will play, but the text won't display after #255. I always use playlists, so this isn't a problem.
2. M.I.X. (shuffle) is cancelled when the IPOD is disconnected, and needs to be turned back on when used the next time. Easy to do, not a big deal.
3. The volume buttons in the IPOD remote are disabled after the IPOD is disconnected from the car. A reset fixes this problem. I used to mainly use my remote in the car, and it isn't needed anymore with the KCA420.
4. Search can be done by Playlists, Artist, Album, Song. Not terribly efficient if you try to search thru all your songs etc. Works much better within playlists. Just choose the tuner buttons of 1 (playlist), 2 (artist), etc, and folder/search, then rotate the volume wheel to scroll thru the playlists. Push the volume button to select your choice. The same procedure is done for artists, albums and songs.
5. The 9827 only displays one line of text. The more expensive units will display 2 and 3 lines. Display lets you choose what you want to see...track, song name, album name etc. Your choice scrolls once and then is stationary, often cuts off the end of what is displayed on the 9827. I would imagine the 2 to 3 lines of text would eliminate this problem. Someone who has one of those HU's might want to address this issue.
Those are the only limitations that I have found. None of them have been a big deal to me. I really like the product. Hope this helps.
# 7 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
thanks for the response - it doesn't sound bad at all - i'll consider it.
:)
let me just make sure i'm understanding this ONE limitation: You say if you are playing a "playlist" you can't see the info past track 255? But if I search by Album or Artist I can see ALL the songs right? I'm planning on buying the 9825 model for my head unit...if I go with the Alpine set-up.
# 8 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
The following info is documented for the KCA420: Playlists should not excede 509 and no playlist should have more than 255 songs in it. Within these parameters, text can be read for all songs within any playlist. Alpine has a pretty good demo which might answer some of your questions more clearly at http://www.alpine-usa.com/driveyouripod/ipod_demo.htm
2004 Head Unit Memory Capacity:
Playlists, Artists, and Albums-509
Songs-255
It is recommended that you customize your Playlists and the number of songs in a Playlist based on the limits detailed above.
Some suggestions for Playlists include:
- Creating a Playlist for each letter of the alphabet in which you could store songs by song name or by artist name.
- Creating a Smart Playlist (refer to iTunes Help for details regarding creating Smart Playlists) which can be limited with the number of songs in the Playlist.
- Creating Playlists by Genre and/or sub-Genre while keeping the number of songs within the Playlist to below the limits detailed above
To optimize your song search capability while in the car, where possible begin your searches by selecting the Artist name that should narrow down the available songs. To further narrow down your search parameters, select the Album the song was included on before initiating a Song search.
# 9 Re: Installing iPod mini in a 2004 Jeep Liberty
I really appreciate all of your help. It sounds like a good set-up - by far the best out there, that's for sure. I just feel funny about buying something NOW when I know that within months the little things that don't work WILL with the new systems. I'm sure Alpine is working on making the head units more compatible with iPod then they already are. But, i'm still going to consider it. :)
