Stereos, iphones & wiring

[redimon]

Here's the deal.

I've recently bought an iPhone and a TomTom hands free kit. I own a fairly stock '99 AU Futura. I've attached the hands free holder to the removable Falcon badge on the upper centre console and have run all the wires through the back of the console to the cigarette lighter. I've also attached a FM transmitter so I can play music through the stereo. Cheap/dodgy option and it works but obviously not my preferred method.

I've spoken with the local Ford dealership and asked about a later model stereo with aux inputs so I can dump the dodgy FM transmitter but they tell me that the latter model stereos aren't compatible and would be prohibitively expensive to buy and fit. I don't want to fit some gaudy and pretentious aftermarket stereo. I’d prefer something that matches the elegant interior lines and colour of the AU.

Also, I want to take power off somewhere behind the dash to power the hands free unit.

I absolutely love my AU and don’t wish to make any overt modifications to the car, ie I don’t want to cut holes in the dash or do anything to significantly change the interior.

So, has anyone out there attempted to do something similar (don't want to re-invent the wheel)? Any ideas on a subdued aftermarket stereo that fits the stock stereo rack? There are a number of unused leads in the wiring loom behind the console. Any suggestions on which would supply 12V with accessories/ignition on? I am a mechanic and I have all the manuals but as I said, I don't want to re-invent the wheel if someone else has replaced the stereo or tapped power or both.

Cheers

[foxtrot3]

Hi Some AU fords had handsfree wiring but none had aux input. nowdays you can use almost any single din unit you can find with the features that you want or need and fit it using a pocket from DNA or aerpro and alough both online cataouges just list pockets for the AU there is a new pocket that has a full surround that just lets the nose of the head unit poke through (expensive though) Cheers MD

[JC]

Originally Posted by foxtrot3

....alough both online cataouges just list pockets for the AU there is a new pocket that has a full surround that just lets the nose of the head unit poke through (expensive though) Cheers MD

$35 compared to $25 - not that expensive!

[ronwest]

Welcome to the forums

There's not much you can do with the stock head unit so inevitably you'll be drawn to an aftermarket unit. If you are just looking at a head unit there are many options. Have a look here for something that you like the look of:- http://www.ryda.com.au/Car-Audio-s/1.htm

There are aftermarket harnesses available that allow you to plug into the stock Ford wiring and from there to your preferred aftermarket head unit.

If you look through the builds section or search for aftermarket head units you'll find most of the answers you're looking for.

[foxtrot3]

Originally Posted by JC

$35 compared to $25 - not that expensive!

Hi The price I saw was more like $75 at $35 its good. Cheers MD

[foxtrot3]

Hi And in this post $90 http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11289088 and now the pocket http://www.aerpro.com.au/list.php?pc...Black&cat_sno= Cheers MD

[GS608]

it's $35 from autobarn

[redimon]

Thanks guys. There's some great info there that I'll be looking into over the weekend. I did see a similar mounting unit at Repco last Sunday but it was for a Commodore.

Since posting I've researched a bit more and I noticed a couple of threads about the mobile phone harness under the dash. Anyone actually tried fitting a hands free kit with the stock mobile harness?

Thanks again.

Cheers,

Red

[foxtrot3]

Hi Depending on build date and head unit some had a phone input . look for a set of plugs above your left foot or under the consule with one wire being light green-this is a mute wire and trigering it with a test light should mute the radio, if you find it there will be power wires and speaker (mono) input wires as well. Cheers MD

[redimon]

I've just had a look at a Audiovox FMM100 FM Modulator as a simple option. Cheap and doesn't look like a lot of work to fit. It would also mean I wouldn't need to change out the head unit.

I also seem to have Futura on the brain. I actually own a Forte. :togo:

[Ride]

Originally Posted by foxtrot3

Hi Depending on build date and head unit some had a phone input . look for a set of plugs above your left foot or under the consule with one wire being light green-this is a mute wire and trigering it with a test light should mute the radio, if you find it there will be power wires and speaker (mono) input wires as well. Cheers MD

From memory only high series got it (Fairmont/Ghia/Fairlane/T Series).

[foxtrot3]

Hi Don't know about that but years ago was told the same and told to buy the phone harness and when we pulled out the head unit it was already in and that was only a base model refrigerator. Cheers MD

[redimon]

There is a phone input but from what I can tell, if I could still get the harness they cost a couple of hundred $. A bit rich for a limited capability I reckon. As always though, happy to be educated & corrected.