Aux or FM Modulator Audio Input and Bluetooth

[ledzilla]

I got one of those nice Audiophile head units put in. It's so nice having my radio stations again. However, I lost the tape deck, so I don't have an "aux" input anymore for my MP3 player.

For those of you that went this route, and got the direct plug-and-play head unit, what did you use to restore Aux input, and what's good out there for adding Bluetooth connectivity? I like having the Bluetooth available in my Century with the Pioneer unit I had installed, and I'd like to do the same with the Marauder. I'm really not keen on cutting up the dashboard if it can at all be avoided. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190406/aefeb211afc830b29d6cfca57807ee 41.jpg

[Ambitious1]

These may help you get started:

https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=104426

https://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87095&page=2

[ledzilla]

So it's looking like if I want Bluetooth, I'll need to connect into the antenna jack. Otherwise it seems the only item that is still available and compatible with the radio's AUX/SAT connector is the FRD04-AUX. Kind of a bummer, but given this is all over ten years old, I guess I can't really be too surprised.

[decipha]

Its really a tiny amount that needs to be trimmed and if you ever decide to put the stock radio back in its unaffected. I have a pioneer head unit in my 03 marauder and couldn't live without the bluetooth considering I take it on several hour trips weekly.

[justbob]

Its really a tiny amount that needs to be trimmed and if you ever decide to put the stock radio back in its unaffected. I have a pioneer head unit in my 03 marauder and couldn't live without the bluetooth considering I take it on several hour trips weekly.



I agree. Very little trimming and you’d never notice it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[ledzilla]

Yeah, I'm not buying yet another radio, at least not for a while. I already have two other cars with non functional or barely functional audio systems, so they get the next new radios. I'll just not worry about Bluetooth for now. It's not like I'd be talking much on the phone. The car has become a summer car and has no A/C. It gets entirely unpleasant inside with the windows up. So long as I can plug something in, that's good enough for the time being.

[boom boom]

I really like the factory radio look so I found an audiophile headunit from an Escape in the junkyard. Have been looking at this to pair with it but I'm not to keen on the price.


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_581BT45FD1/USA-Spec-BT45-FORD1.html

[MyBlackBeasts]

If you have an AUX jack these work real good for Bluetooth. I got one when Apple eliminated the AUX jack on the iPhone 10 to make it waterproof. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075JBLGLB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07 _s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[decipha]

i dont use bluetooth to talk i use it play music, nice having the steering wheel controls

[MyBlackBeasts]

i dont use bluetooth to talk i use it play music, nice having the steering wheel controls


The adapter I posted will stream music from your phone to aux jack on stereo via Bluetooh.


Works great.

[ledzilla]

I really like the factory radio look so I found an audiophile headunit from an Escape in the junkyard. Have been looking at this to pair with it but I'm not to keen on the price.


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_581BT45FD1/USA-Spec-BT45-FORD1.htmlYeah, that's a really nice item, but you aren't kidding about the price. That's more than twice what I paid for the Audiophile unit, and more than what I spent for the Pioneer unit I put into my daily driver with Bluetooth and USB built in. Pretty tempting, though...

[ledzilla]

If you have an AUX jack these work real good for Bluetooth. I got one when Apple eliminated the AUX jack on the iPhone 10 to make it waterproof. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075JBLGLB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07 _s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Nifty item, but I don't think it would be ideal for me. I don't drive the car often enough to remember to keep it charged. Unless it just stays on the charger in the console most of the time. Personally, I'm more interested in components that operate off of the car's power and get switched with the ignition. More of an integrated feel, if you get my point. But, that's not too bad of an item and a good price.

[MyBlackBeasts]

Nifty item, but I don't think it would be ideal for me. I don't drive the car often enough to remember to keep it charged. Unless it just stays on the charger in the console most of the time. Personally, I'm more interested in components that operate off of the car's power and get switched with the ignition. More of an integrated feel, if you get my point. But, that's not too bad of an item and a good price.


Just keep the USB charging cable attached full time to USB/cig lighter adapter = no worries about going dead.

[boom boom]

Yeah, that's a really nice item, but you aren't kidding about the price. That's more than twice what I paid for the Audiophile unit, and more than what I spent for the Pioneer unit I put into my daily driver with Bluetooth and USB built in. Pretty tempting, though...




I keep coming back to it because I really like the Bluetooth calling ability. I spend a lot of time on the road for work so that is a double bonus but seriously, that price.

[chief455]

you all will laugh, but...

I plug this into my console 12v plug. It pairs to my Bluetooth phone, or anything Bluetooth. Multiple items.
Set your FM to a dead station (88.7 for me), put the Audiophile on FM source, it plays whatever you have either:
1. USB stick, plugged into the adapter (sorry, can't control songs with car)
2. remove USB stick, and stream your phone, whatever Bluetooth music player, to the car. Volume works. Change mode to CD to use the stock mp3 discs again.
A call comes in, silences the music, press the green button on the adapter, and speak/listen via car speakers. Press button to hang up, music restores.
You can leave your phone/player in the console, belt pouch etc.
Make an outgoing cal with your phone, press the adapter phone button - it's Bluetooth through the car.

All the while, plug your phone or playing device into the adapter USB power port. It charges as you drive.

I bring this adapter with me in every car.
My phone is always paired, set any car radio to match the adapter and your Bluetooth phone and music, portable.

ONLY downside is not changing songs without using the adapter arrow buttons.
BUT, with my 600 songs in my phone, can play by artist/album/tracks and shuffle.
Same with the USB stick - except it just plays the songs in order.
How cheap and easy is that? How much do you really need to spend / work to get this going?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XJ1YZSH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03 _s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[chief455]

As a giggle, I paired this to my Garmin navigation on a road trip. Someone called - the music went quiet, Garmin had a big green phone light up, I pressed it - we were talking through the car! Garmin has a red phone to hang up. lol!