Expert: Ernesto R - 8/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: ERNESTO-  I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER W/ FACTORY 6 CD CHANGER
RADIO AS WELL AS A REAR SEAT FACTORY DVD SYSTEM.  IF POSSIBLE, I
WOULD LIKE TO ADD AN AUXILIARY INPUT FOR MY iPOD.  HOWEVER, I HAVE
BEEN TOLD BY OTHERS THAT ALTHOUGH THIS PROJECT IS FEASIBLE, MY REAR
SEAT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WILL BE RENDERED USELESS WITH ANY
CURRENT AFTER-MARKET HARNESSES OR OTHER PRODUCTS.  I WOULD BE
WILLING TO SACRIFICE THE CD CHANGER IN ORDER TO PLAY MY iPOD.  
HOWEVER, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE TO ALSO SACRIFICE THE USE OF
MY DVD PLAYER.  DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR SOLUTIONS TO MY
PROBLEM?  I KNOW THERE MUST BE OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME DILEMMA,
BUT I HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE A SOLUTION.  I WOULD
APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU MAY  BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.  
THANKS!  JOHN

ANSWER: we have done this many times
this are your your options

1 unplug the external cd changer there will be a 12 pin plug there
use this interface for full ipod controls from the radio
you will need a cas-f14 cable
http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-274-112-usa-spec-pa11-ford1-ford-to-ipod-interfac

2 unplug the factory dvd just to plug this interface the other end of the cable will plug back in to the radio.now  you have 3 AUX inputs ford ipod,sat radio,mp3 or nyother audio source
http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-393-86-pie-x3-frdp2-ford-2003-2006-triple-auxilia

adding this cable you will get better sound from the ipod and it will also charge it
http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-353-86-ipod-docking-to-rca-charging-cable.aspx

3 for radios with SAT button
http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-212-112-ipod-interface-frdn-pods-sat-radios-only.

full controls from radio and will show ipod text

works if there is a SAT button on radio





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ERNESTO- FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR NOT ONLY THE FAST RESPONSE,
BUT ALSO 3 POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO MY QUESTION!  I AM LEANING TOWARD
USING OPTION #1 BUT HAVE A QUESTION REGARDING THE "EXTERNAL" CD
CHANGER 12 PIN PLUG AS MY HEAD UNIT (RADIO & 6 CD CHANGER) IS ALL
INCLUSIVE IN ONE INSTALLED PACKAGE.  WOULD THE 12 PIN PLUG BE
LOCATED BEHIND THE GLOVEBOX OR ON THE UNIT ITSELF IN MY 2003 FORD
EXPLORER?  
JUST TO THROW A CURVE BALL YOUR WAY, AWHILE BACK I PURCHASE AN
IPOD READY ALPINE iDA-X001 WITH THE INTENT OF REPLACING MY CURRENT   
FACTORY INSTALLED UNIT.  WOULD THERE BE ANY WAY TO KEEP MY
FACTORY UNIT INSTALLED AND ALSO ADD THIS NEWER UNIT WITHOUT
COMPROMISING THE EXISTING FACTORY HEAD UNIT AND REAR SEAT DVD
PLAYER FUNCTIONALITY (ie:  Dual Play capability)???
THANKS AGAIN,
JOHN

ANSWER: insert a cd and listen to it for a few seconds,press the cd button
if the radio shows NO DJ NO CD plug will be behind the radio
if the display blinks, there is no plug and is not going to work


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I followed your most recent instructions of inserting a CD, listened for a few seconds and pressed the "CD" button and the nothing happened on the display but the music seemed to skip somewhat.  Does this mean that none of the 3 original solutions that you had presented will work or would there be another alternative?  Thank you again for all of your time and patience!!!  John

Answer
only option

unplug the factory dvd just to plug this interface the other end of the cable will plug back in to the radio.now  you have 3 AUX inputs ford ipod,sat radio,mp3 or any other audio source this way you keep all the radio functions and rear dvd

http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-393-86-pie-x3-frdp2-ford-2003-2006-triple-auxilia

http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-353-86-ipod-docking-to-rca-charging-cable.aspx