Aftermarket Radio?

[Petrograde]

I love the fact that I have control of the stereo on the steering wheel. But, I don't particularly care for the stock stereo. I haven't had a freakin' cassette tape in 10 years! I'd like to install a nice MP3 player. Does anyone know if the wheel controls can be used with aftermarket stereos? Thanks.

[Donald]

Yes. My Panasonic unit uses an IR remote. So my guy connected the wheel controls to an IR unit. The IR sender is mounted just under the latch of the center console aimed at the radio.

[Warpath]

Most of the higher end aftermarket radios come with a wireless remote. There is at least one manufacturer that has one that straps to the steering wheel. Shop around and you'll find one. Also try http://www.sounddomain.com

[Festus]

Well there are a couple of inexpensive options for using an MP3 player and not replacing the whole stereo.

1) Use a cassette converter. This is a cassette with a wire and a mini-plug connector to plug into the MP3 player. Pop the cassette in and away you go. You can get these for about $20 at Radio Shack etc. Downsides are the wire hanging out of the front of the stereo and there is a slight hiss.

2) What I did was use a gadget I bought from Arkon Resources as an intermediate solution until I replace the stereo. This gadget plugs into the mini-plug, but transmits over FM radio. You tune it to an unused FM frequency to listen to your music. It runs off of a cigarette lighter adapter, so I put the whole package, MP3 player and transmitter in the center console where there is already a lighter adapter. Downside, when traveling you sometimes get station interference. There is a knob on the back to re tune it to another frequency though. Cost is about $30 and quality is fine.

Eric

[SouLRioT]

ok, i had posted this in the comunity section, but here it goes. http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/index.php this allowes you to use your current head unit and wheel controls, with a change out of your cd changer for a hard drive. You have the options of a 20, 40, or 60 GB hard drives. The only draw back is the $850 price tag. I've got the first option that festus said and its ok, but not perfect. Not that easy when you want to change something on the mp3 player. Maybe 1 more year and it will be a better price if their not out of business by then.