Newb iPod Question

[wuntrikpony]

Hey guys, I am getting my new(to me) 2003 Vibe next Friday and am trying to figure out how to attach my iPod in it. As I said it is a 2003 with the single CD player and I believe the moons/toons package (it has a moonroof). Ihave been reading about certain solutions, but I want the ability to control my iPod from it's own controls and not through the CD player controls. I certainly want the best quality possible so a transmitter/modulator is out of the question. What I'm wondering is if this is even possible. Or do I have to replace the stereo?Thanks!-dave

[binary]

A good rule of thumb is to look around through the forums before posting. I have found a lot of my questions have already been asked and answered multiple time. Don't read this as me being a jerk - just an FYI. There's a good solution for 2003 Single Disc owners who want an ipod input stuck at the top of this forum. It doesn't work with 2005 - yet.Also many options are available in the aftermarket. That thread has a lot of info.Welcome to the site!

[jeffgtx]

the ipod2car that you can learna bout by searching around here still lets you use your ipod controls.

[mikey00]

You don't want the Icruze. It will disable your Ipod controls and you must create playlists to control through your radio. Installing an aux jack somewhere will work but won't charge your Ipod. The Ipod2car according to it's claims does it all. You don't need playlists but it can be controled through your radio. You can also use Ipod controls and it charges your Ipod. I just ordered one from Ebay ($153.) and should have it installed in my 05 in about a week.

[wuntrikpony]

Haha, after looking through pages on this forum, I miss the sticky on the first page!Anyway, it just seems that it is a real pain to get the ipod2car installed on a 2003. Probably should just go to plan B: adding an aftermarket HU with AUX in the back. Thanks guys for the help! Can't wait to start contributing!

[dan326]

I don't know about an 03, but it is not a difficult install at all. The actual adapter has a harness that goes into the back of the radio. I am assuming that you have both the 12 and 24 pin in the back of the radio. By the way, the 12 pin is used for xm radio in the 05.Any way, if you have the 12 pin in the back of the radio, the adapter harness will go in between the radio and whatever was originally plugged in the back. Do you have xm radio and do you have the integrated subwoofer? If you do, you have to disconnect the xm tuner before the tuner. In the '05, it is located BEHIND the integrated subwoofer. You actually have to pull the interior panel out, unbolt the subwoofer so that you can access the tuner. This sounds much harder than it is.Once that is done, all you have to do is connect the remaining power wire to constant power. I have the power wire spliced into the radio's power wire.So anyway, I hope that shows you that the install is much easier than you might think.

[2002sportside]

My install was easier than that since I don't have XM... pull the radio, hook up the ipod2car box, splice the wire in and put the radio back in. I think the hardest part was running the ipod cable where I wanted it.But, I don't know if it works on a 2003...

[wuntrikpony]

Thanks for your inputs! I just think if I have to spend around 200 bucks to adapt an ipod to the stock radio, I may as well get a new HU with that money.

[binary]

Quote, originally posted by wuntrikpony »Thanks for your inputs! I just think if I have to spend around 200 bucks to adapt an ipod to the stock radio, I may as well get a new HU with that money. Dunno... the Monsoon stereo is pretty sweet. I've been juggling the idea of an ipod adapter or new HU for the last month... The costs involved are leaning toward the ipod adapter because of the extra crap you have to get to make the new HU work with the Monsoon amp and speakers.

[northvibe]

I have a ipod mini and just got the itrip for it. It works GREAT in my windstar and my moms malibu lt (...i still need to buy a vibe..) but for 20 bucks on sale its deff worth it. My mom didnt even notice it was my ipod going through the radio. I bought it and tried it in a big city and it worked great but in Duluth there was a little static, this can be solved by installing the software and having a bunch of different stations to choose from and/or using a car charger helps keep the signal strong.

[binkman71]

I have an iTrip for my iPod. While in my previous vehicle it worked great, in my Vibe it is horrible. The biggest issue being, as an FM transmitter, the Vibe's antenna is on the far rear of the vehicle. Items such as the iTrip don't have a tremendous range, and while it worked, there was much interference and static in the sound. Same was happening with my satellite radio's FM transmitter. Now, not all of this is the fault of the Vibe -- I live in the Philadelphia area and there pretty much is a signal on every FM frequency. So, I assume the greater the distance between your iTrip and the antenna, the more of a chance of one of the broadcast signals conflicting with the short range iTrip. Just my view and experience.K.

[wuntrikpony]

Yah, I have also had bad experiences with FM transmitters. They just don't seem to work the best in the city especially.

[2002sportside]

The iTrip didn't work in my Vibe either... at least not well. It works great in my friend's Tundra though (it's his iTrip). It didn't really work in my Cavalier either...

[kiribeth]

I use the Belkin Tunecast FM transmitter with my Creative brand mp3 player in my 2003 Vibe and it works great, only have problems when there is a station that comes in on the freq. that I am using. In that case you can just program it to another frequency and everything is fine again. The transmitter is about $35 and it's also a good idea to spring for some rechargable batteries, since it eats through them pretty quickly.