Audio & Video Tech General discussion of audio and video for the Ford Ranger.

Adding a auxiliary input jack?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-05-2018
Apexkeeper's Avatar
RF's Exiled Elite
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Adding a auxiliary input jack?

This may sound dumb but Im not a radio guy. Is there a way to add an auxiliary input jack to an OEM radio? Right now I use a FM bluetooth transmitter which works fine for playing music from my phone but Id like to have a wired jack instead. And no I absolutely do not want to replace my factory radio with an aftermarket unit. I like my big ugly grey box with 4 buttons and 1 ****!
 
  #2  
Old 06-05-2018
RonD's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 30,654
Received 2,820 Likes on 2,586 Posts
No, there is no where on the circuit board to add an input.

If your soldering skills are good, you could high jack the radio circuit BEFORE the volume control, and add a switch and plug in so you could select between Radio and AUX

I wouldn't but you "could" do that.

There are Wired FM injectors, so you could use one of those, powered and tuned to an unused station in your area, then add a dash plug in for that.
FM tuner could be under dash so you don't see it, but I would leave it accessible in case you go on a road trip and get interference from other areas FM channels
 
  #3  
Old 06-05-2018
Scrambler82's Avatar
Old Guy User…
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 7,909
Received 74 Likes on 64 Posts
RonD is correct... I used a unit made by USA Spec, connected to a 20 pin connector behind the radio, I mounted it behind the radio with a few ty-wraps and had three wired connector setups for connecting Older iPhones/iPods/iPads, and an RCA/3.5mm Plug.
They are not cheap but if you have a radio you like and do not want to change out then this could fill the bill.

From my point of view, I used an older iPod for digital Music, no sense throwing it out, and with decent speakers, it sounded so much better than jus the OEM Radio it wasn't funny. I was able to hear highs that were never there before and the bass came in too !

Not sure what they have for the older Ranger but if it is for the 2011 good chance it will be older Ranger Too !

https://www.usaspec.com

I did notice a Bluetooth/Phone/Music Adapter,but again, I think it is for the Radios with a 20-Pin Connector, check it out !
Can't hurt to check it out; although from my searches, I didn't come up with a reference for my '03 Ranger, but if you see something you like, maybe you can contact them and see what they have !

Good Luck, and please post your findings, this might be something others ay want too !
 

Last edited by Scrambler82; 06-05-2018 at 12:42 PM.
  #4  
Old 06-05-2018
Dngr Rngr's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: IL
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
https://www.radioshack.com/products/...ereo-modulator

i bought 2 of these when local radioshack was closing - looked promising as it interupts the radio antenna when its on so clear as day id imagine. I haven't installed them yet (need to install on a 1980 chevette but something about the big chunky manual preset buttons on that thing make the radio fun).

then get a 3.5mm to rca cable and route it wherever u want.
 
  #5  
Old 03-04-2019
soflaranger's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Miami
Posts: 15
Received 11 Likes on 5 Posts
Factory radio with aux input swap, cross ref info req.

Originally Posted by Apexkeeper
This may sound dumb but Im not a radio guy. Is there a way to add an auxiliary input jack to an OEM radio? Right now I use a FM bluetooth transmitter which works fine for playing music from my phone but Id like to have a wired jack instead. And no I absolutely do not want to replace my factory radio with an aftermarket unit. I like my big ugly grey box with 4 buttons and 1 ****!
I was curious, if in the large range of Ford and Lincoln-Mercury products during the run of the Rangers we all are interested in, are there not perhaps some factory radio/cd/cass units which have an aux input that can be swapped out? If they exist, and I have no idea if so, can't recall seeing aux in on any Ford product, where could we find the info to cross ref compatibility? Seems too easy. For me I would like to keep that part of my dash stock, and add components after that, amp, aux in and keep the factory look and have concealed/removable audio goodies. I"m probably in the minority but that's just me. Thoughts?
 
  #6  
Old 03-04-2019
Scrambler82's Avatar
Old Guy User…
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 7,909
Received 74 Likes on 64 Posts
Originally Posted by Apexkeeper
This may sound dumb but Im not a radio guy. Is there a way to add an auxiliary input jack to an OEM radio? Right now I use a FM bluetooth transmitter which works fine for playing music from my phone but Id like to have a wired jack instead. And no I absolutely do not want to replace my factory radio with an aftermarket unit. I like my big ugly grey box with 4 buttons and 1 ****!
Hey,

Wondered if WHAT you did about the AUX Inputs to your OEM Radio ?

Thanks / Ltr
 
  #7  
Old 03-04-2019
RonD's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 30,654
Received 2,820 Likes on 2,586 Posts
You can still get the FM Modulators that hook in-line with vehicle antenna on back of radio, and they also need 12v/ground which is also on the back of the radio

You tune modulator to unused FM channel in your area, and then run wires to AUX port in whatever location you want
When radio is tuned to that "station" you get stereo sound from the AUX port device

Works with any FM radio so if radio goes bad swap in a new one and its working again
 
  #8  
Old 03-07-2019
Dngr Rngr's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: IL
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
since i posted i asked on a classic car forum what everyones doing in thier classic cars with **** radios they dont want to hack up the wiring. I was turned to this:

Amazon Amazon

bought it and actually works really well. its bluetooth so you can link wirelessly but does have a 3.5mm jack on the side. Also the cig port doubles as a usb charger so you can charge your phone as you go. Easy enough to remove and shove under the seat when you get to a car show to keep originality. super clear once you tune to the station of your choice.
 
  #9  
Old 04-27-2020
Insane_Man's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BC
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey big *****. I found a pioneer deck in a mazda 4000 that had an aux input and sirius. It had the reg harness for a usualy stocker for us, plus another bigger plug for the sirius unit which I did not abscond. But I went back for the wires for it because the aux teed into that so Ive got a big 6 row plugin with only four wires going in.

Right now i am trying to uprade that aux plug to a self made in dash bluetooth rigup. I will update yous guys
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Moist
General Technical & Electrical
8
06-03-2018 12:58 PM
98liftedranger
Audio & Video Tech
10
11-04-2010 01:25 AM
SouthernMudSlinger
Audio & Video Tech
10
06-22-2009 09:17 AM
hougy
Audio & Video Tech
13
04-06-2009 08:26 AM
zabeard
Audio & Video Tech
30
06-20-2006 05:00 AM



Quick Reply: Adding a auxiliary input jack?



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:38 AM.