Connecting iPod to 2004 Toyota Camry

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Connecting iPod to 2004 Toyota Camry

I am a recent new owner of a 160GB iPod and I absolutely love it so far.

I am, however, looking for some advice on playing it through my car stereo. I must be able to plug it in such a way that it is streamlined into the dash (or near it) and be able to play songs on it through my current car stereo. Exposed wiring/cables are unacceptable. The stereo itself is a 6-disc CD changer that came stock with the car (at present time I am NOT interested in purchasing a new deck).

I also must be able to control the music through the iPod itself unlike when using the PC to iPod USB cable that locks the user out of the iPod when connected.

I won't consider an FM tuner but any route that adheres to the requirements for such a connection I would consider. I am fine with removing the deck to make connections if necessary (I've installed them before) and drilling/cutting holes in my center console or cup holder to make room for a place to dock the iPod is completely feasible.

Windows 2000

Posted on Mar 26, 2008 5:19 PM

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Answer 1

DWH2525

Level 1

55 points

Mar 26, 2008 5:55 PM in response to andrews.mt

I have the 160 as well and love it. I've had many iPod's and I've had them all hardwired to my factory stereo with the same adaptor for years. Please review the link below. I think this is exactly what you want. It will be a direct connection. You can control from the deck, steering wheel controls or the iPod. It will charge the iPod while connected and it will work with the 2004 Camry factory deck. To meet your requirement of no exposed wires, you will need to snake the cable under your carpet and drill (which you said you weren't opposed to) into the cupholder, glovebox, center armrest, etc. The kit comes with plenty of cable so you can place the unit anywhere. I've had this for 4 years and I've been very happy with it. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://tinyurl.com/3xjnyh

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Answer 2

andrews.mt Author

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Mar 26, 2008 6:06 PM in response to DWH2525

A little pricey but that looks exactly like something I am looking for. If anyone else has suggestions I'm open to those as well but that thing looks great!!

Thanks for the quick reply DWH2525.

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Answer 3

DWH2525

Level 1

55 points

Mar 26, 2008 6:13 PM in response to andrews.mt

Glad to help and glad you like it. You're right, it is pricey and I hesitated on the price too, but you do get what you pay for. What I've been really impressed with aside from meeting all of the other requirements you mentioned (which were largely mine as well), is that over the years I keep trading up and getting the newest iPod's and this adaptor has worked with all of them. That can't be said for every other hard wired solution. If you read the message boards, there are a lot of people who have bought high priced, high quality connection kits, but many of them have had issues when new iPod models come out or even if Apple updates the firmware on an existing model that you used to work fine. A lot of times, people can't use their connection for months until bugs get sorted out by either Apple or the manufacturer of the connection kit. I've never had that problem with this kit.

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