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LS1FJ40 · 08-27-05, 11:15 PM

I installed a new Alpine CD/MPs/XM head unit, DVD Player with 10" Monitor and Alpine's AI/Net iPod converter in my '92 FJ80. The Alpine AI/Net iPod converter "allows" you to operate the iPod from the head unit. It sucks. Sure it allows you to operate the iPod like it says it will and it charges the iPod. But the communication is slow. My old setup in my Tacoma was using a similar Alpine head unit with an adapter that plugged in to the AI/Net port on the back of the unit that converted to RCA. You then can connect RCA cables from Monster that plug in to the 2.5mm headphone jack. I instead, purchased a car adapter for my iPod and cut the cigarette lighter plug off of it and hard wired it to the fuse box then plugged it in to a iPod docking port and plugged the RCA cable with 2.55mm jack in to the iPod docking port. It worked extremely well. Just remember to turn up the volume on the iPod. Also, make sure you wire the car adapter to a switched fuse. Also use an in-line fuse. The sound quality was as good as the AI/Net iPod converter and quicker. Cost about the same. AI/Net converter $100 vs. $30 for car adapter, $40 for docking port, $20 for monster cable. You can also get a wireless remote control that plugs in to the top headphone jack on the iPod. In addition, you can plug a laptop or any other 2.55mm in to the head unit this way. This is the same set up I am installing in my FJ40. Never had any problems with skipping or sound quality.

I have used a couple of different FM modulators and FM transmitters. They all suck in my opinion. Too much static and interferance.

08-27-05, 11:15 PM	#14
LS1FJ40 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: McKinney, TX TLCA# 15145 Posts: 31	iPod Set Up I installed a new Alpine CD/MPs/XM head unit, DVD Player with 10" Monitor and Alpine's AI/Net iPod converter in my '92 FJ80. The Alpine AI/Net iPod converter "allows" you to operate the iPod from the head unit. It sucks. Sure it allows you to operate the iPod like it says it will and it charges the iPod. But the communication is slow. My old setup in my Tacoma was using a similar Alpine head unit with an adapter that plugged in to the AI/Net port on the back of the unit that converted to RCA. You then can connect RCA cables from Monster that plug in to the 2.5mm headphone jack. I instead, purchased a car adapter for my iPod and cut the cigarette lighter plug off of it and hard wired it to the fuse box then plugged it in to a iPod docking port and plugged the RCA cable with 2.55mm jack in to the iPod docking port. It worked extremely well. Just remember to turn up the volume on the iPod. Also, make sure you wire the car adapter to a switched fuse. Also use an in-line fuse. The sound quality was as good as the AI/Net iPod converter and quicker. Cost about the same. AI/Net converter $100 vs. $30 for car adapter, $40 for docking port, $20 for monster cable. You can also get a wireless remote control that plugs in to the top headphone jack on the iPod. In addition, you can plug a laptop or any other 2.55mm in to the head unit this way. This is the same set up I am installing in my FJ40. Never had any problems with skipping or sound quality. I have used a couple of different FM modulators and FM transmitters. They all suck in my opinion. Too much static and interferance.