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View Full Version : A Radio Conundrum


swilliams
12-04-2007, 09:20 AM
Here y'all, I have a radio problem for you. Here's the situation:

I have a 2004 Vue with the stock single CD radio and the factory subwoofer. I do NOT have XM.

For the past two years I have been running my iPod through a wired FM modulator. Even though it's directly wired in through the back of the radio, it sounds like trash and I am tired of it. I have been waiting for years for PIE or one of the other iPod integration companies to come out with a native solution to hook into the stock radio more directly, but it doesn't look like that will ever happen.

I want to have my iPod running through the system with actual line quality inputs and not modulated to FM frequencies. I am not opposed to replacing the radio itself, however, I want to keep all chimes, etc, as well as the (here's the kicker, no pun intended) factory subwoofer.

Does anyone know of a surefire way to do this?

I do NOT want to "just buy a new sub and amp" as many people say to do -- the factory one does fine as I got over the need for massive bass in high school many years ago. Most importantly, it is streamlined into the side of the vehicle and I don't want to have the entire back of the Vue taken up by an amp and box... space is very important to me.

So please, I don't want general speculation. As I understand, the system bus of the 2004 is different from the 2005+... so if you don't know for sure on the _2004_ then please don't confuse me.

I want to know if this is possible ----> is there a way to take the RCA Out on an aftermarket radio and splice it in to the factory amp? I am very comfortable with wire stripping, crimping, splicing, and soldering. Does anyone have the wiring diagrams to see if this is possible?

Furthermore, is it a definite that I will need a $100+ harness to keep chimes and such on an aftermarket radio?

Thank you,
Stephen

FGCA_XRL
12-05-2007, 10:46 PM
'04 doesnt need the fancy harness. In fact it could have a Panasonic-sourced radio in it. Retaining the factory sub is a little more tricky, but if you're good at testing wires and splicing you should be fine. You can run an RCA from the sub pre-out on your new deck into the sub, but you need to turn the amp on as well.

good luck.

And if you want a good iPod interface, check into Pioneer.

swilliams
12-08-2007, 12:27 AM
So the input on the factory amp will take the pre-amp signal coming from RCAs on an aftermarket deck?

And would just a 12v remote wire turn on the factory amp like it would any other amp?

Can anyone verify this, or does anyone happen to have the schematics around?

The last thing I want to do is have spliced into wires to find out that it won't work...

Thanks,
stephen

swilliams
07-22-2008, 11:24 PM
Resurrecting this thread -- I'm still searching for the answer.

thanks
stephen