Mopar iPod Kit Install on TJ & KJ (Write-up with Photos)

[grogie]

In another post I mentioned that I had installed the Mopar iPod Kits in both my TJ and KJ. Here is a write-up (with photos of the TJ install).

The install on the TJ was much more work. For the box that goes between the stereo and the iPod, in the TJ there was no room for the box around the stereo. The instructions had me remove the instrument panel and put the box in behind the panel. I had to take a lot of the dash covers off to do the install. Thankfully I had found someone's write up on how to remove a stock stereo. The "drawings" that come along with Mopar parts are very lacking (thanks a lot Mopar!). For one, the stereo on the TJ had a security nut behind it. It would have been a lot harder to figure out where the nut was and how to get at it without the write up. Thank God for internet! I ended up reaching through the glove box to get at the nut with a wrench.

I did also use another write up for pulling out the stereo on the KJ. It was much easier, plus it had no security bolt. My only issue was that I couldn't seem to locate where the antenna unplugged from the stereo? I wasn't able to reach far enough back and find the connector. Luckily I didn't have to pull out the stereo all the way, so there was no need to unhook the antenna. On the TJ, the antenna wire runs right behind the glove box and it was easy to unplug.

This was a great mod, and the wife and I are very happy to have this. I highly recommend this install to all! It's easy to select playlists and different songs, and the titles display on the stereo (well at least the first eight characters do). I have also purchased some audio books via iTunes that were too long to fit onto a CD, so this solves that problem. Plus, no more burning CD's!

In the KJ, I have a spare iPod mini that is going to live in the glove box. In the TJ, I'm using an iPod Video. Although I love having my entire iTunes library (about 15 plus gigs) thanks to my 60 gig iPod Video, I'm now thinking about getting an iPod Nano to just leave in the glove box.

BTW, the stereo in the TJ is RBQ, and in the KJ is RBP. The instructions books says for use that it also works with models RB1, RAZ, RAH, and RBK.

The kits were purchased from:
http://www.wyckoffchryslerparts.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=288339

The kit contents:


Taking apart the TJ's dash:


The Mopar/ iPod box fit in behind the instrument panel:


The iPod Video now in the glove box!

[grogie]

Update...

After playing around with my iPod Video... having a lot of music... etc... I've been taking some of my long playlists in iTunes and making them smaller, so that it is easier to locate songs. It would be cool to see future Mopar decks that let you control the music from the iPod, not the deck.

Also, I've found that with an iPod Video, only the music playlists show up as available playlists on the deck. For those that are familiar with iTunes, at the top, podcasts and videos default to show up under their own icons at the top of the playlists. These icons do not show up on the Mopar deck. So, I've created some smart playlists for podcasts that I listen to, so that they show up under music playlists.

I tried to do so for some movies and TV shows too (so I could listen to them). But, I have to go into the MP4 file and change it from "Movie" or "TV Show" to "Music Video". Then when placed in a playlist, they do show up on the Mopar deck as music to play. But, with a two hour movie, the size of the files are about a half gig due to the video, which take some time to start to play. I may see if I can just extract the audio from the movie files to make them smaller.

I tried this with a 45 minute TV show purchased from iTunes and it's fun to be able to listen to it while driving down the road.

[Cusm]

Nice write up. On your TJ with the RBQ, how do you change playlist? I assume the songs are changed by the seek button. Any pics of the display?


Thanks again.

[grogie]

To change playlists...
1) Hit preset one... and "playlist" appears.
2) The seek buttons (up/ down) will then take you through the playlists.
3) When you find the playlist you want, hit "pty", and it goes into that list.
4) Then the seek buttons (up/ down) go through the songs in a playlist.

The other preset buttons browse artists, albums, genres, and preset five shuffles songs in the playlist. Also, the very first playlist that appears is "all songs"... on the iPod.

The scan buttons (up/ down) move you through songs.

The "mod" button switches to the radio, or CD, to iPod.

That is about it. My wife's KJ has steering wheel controls, and they do work as well.

[absentiabanish]

What Chrysler radios support text for this Ipod adapter? I have an 05 and I'm going to check the radios model number but I would not want to get this if it did not support text on my radio. I have the RBK radio so will it support text?

[grogie]

The stereo in my TJ is RBQ, and in my wife's KJ is RBP. The instructions book says it also works with models RB1, RAZ, RAH, and RBK.

[Cusm]

Could I talk you into taking some pics of the display on the RBQ? You could send them to me if you do not want to post. Thanks.

[grogie]

Here is my RBQ deck. Like I said, just the first eight characters show up from the playlist, artist, song, etc.

This says "Toby Keith"...


This says "Whiskey Girl"...

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by grogie

It would be cool to see future Mopar decks that let you control the music from the iPod, not the deck.

You should be able to. What is normally on your display on the iPod - "safe to disconnect"? Press menu on the iPod once, and it should say "Chrysler" with the Chrysler logo. Press menu again and it should pop up with the usual iPod menu. I'm able to scroll through and select any song direct from my iPod while it's connected to the Mopar iPod kit. My HU is a RAH though - don't know if that makes a difference or not.

One thing that bugs me is that it doesn't normally display the artist on the HU display unless I press the info (RDS) button, then it dispays "iPod" for 5 seconds, then flashes the artist for about a second. If you're not looking at the display when it changes from souce to artist, you'll miss it. Seems like that's kind of dangerous to have to stare at the display like that. I've been thinking about making the ashtray into a dock for the iPod so I can just see the display. But I do like the iPod being hidden in the glovebox so I don't have to stash it every time I get out of the vehicle.

[grogie]

Originally Posted by CurtP

You should be able to. What is normally on your display on the iPod - "safe to disconnect"? Press menu on the iPod once, and it should say "Chrysler" with the Chrysler logo. Press menu again and it should pop up with the usual iPod menu. I'm able to scroll through and select any song direct from my iPod while it's connected to the Mopar iPod kit. My HU is a RAH though - don't know if that makes a difference or not.

Thanks for the tip... I tried that and it didn't work on my deck or iPod Video (that is with it connected via the bottom plug). Mine actually says "Jeep"!

I did have someone point out to me that I can still play the iPod via the audio jack at the top (since the kit has that second connection ability). That way I could even have it play videos and still listen to it via the deck. That might be nice for passengers, although it won't keep the battery charged of course (since it won't be connected via that bottom plug).

I think I may get a Nano to just leave in my TJ for good. I could even mount it behind the glove box to keep it out of view.

[CurtP]

Yours says Jeep? Nice! I bought a new RAH HU and installed it in my '98 ZJ (5.9), so I can't connect to the data bus (they're incompatible, so I no longer have the steering wheel controls). I have read that the iPod adapter will talk to the BCM and discover what type of vehicle it's connected to and will display the correct logo on the iPod. Since mine can't communicate to anything other than the radio, I get the Chrysler logo. Maybe that's why I'm able to browse on my iPod too.

Finding a place to install the iPod controller box in a ZJ was a PITA. I had the entire lower half of the dash (including the glovebox and VIC) and the gauge cluster removed trying to find somewhere to stash it while still being within reach of the cable to the HU. I ended up putting it vertically above the gas pedal on the side of the steering column mount using the included HD Velcro and a zip-tie (which reminds me - I should probably inspect it to make sure it's still in place).

Of course, when I went to connect my 3G iPod to the adapter, it wouldn't work - says "update software". So for those contiplating doing this who have a 3G - they're not compatible (at least at this time). It doesn't look like Apple is going to be releasing any more firmware upgrades for the old iPods. But that gave me an excuse to buy a new 60GB video

I couldn't imagine NOT using the dock connector. I like keeping the iPod stashed away in the glovebox and using the HU to control it. I wonder if you disconnected the data bus from your HU if it would work like mine.

Does your HU display the artist like mine does (~1 second)?

[grogie]

Originally Posted by CurtP

Does your HU display the artist like mine does (~1 second)?

It doesn't flash along with the song's name... but I can select "PTY" (I think) and it will then show the album, then the artist, then time, then back to the song's name.

It's really cool. I've got a Jeep trip in the works for August... 3600 miles... and this will be nice to have. Funny thing... I spent the money on a six-changer for my TJ.

[Cusm]

Originally Posted by grogie

It doesn't flash along with the song's name... but I can select "PTY" (I think) and it will then show the album, then the artist, then time, then back to the song's name.

It's really cool. I've got a Jeep trip in the works for August... 3600 miles... and this will be nice to have. Funny thing... I spent the money on a six-changer for my TJ.

Thanks for the pics, looks awesome. Now I just need some money to pick this up.

I had a RAZ headunit (cd & cassette) and I upgraded to the RBQ, and as soon as I put it I discover that there is no ipod compatible systems out there for this radio.

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by Cusm

Thanks for the pics, looks awesome. Now I just need some money to pick this up.

I had a RAZ headunit (cd & cassette) and I upgraded to the RBQ, and as soon as I put it I discover that there is no ipod compatible systems out there for this radio.

Chrysler part number 82209616AC shows that it's compatible with RAZ, RBP, RBQ, RAH, RBK, and RB1 HU's. You should be able to use your current HU without a problem.


grogie - your HU gives more info than mine does. When I select the iPod input, it flashes "Sirius" on the display. If I hit the "info" (RDS) button, it displays "INPUT: iPod" for about 5 seconds, then shows "INPUT: <artist>" for about a second, then goes back to the song name. I don't get album or time displays. Maybe it's because I'm not using a playlist (I just have "all" selected with "rdm on"). Maybe it's the way the music is loaded in my iPod or it could be just the way the HU is. In the instructions, it says to flip switch 6 "on" for the RAH HU - that may be the difference (I didn't try it with switch 6 "off").

[sadlerb_98]

Great write-up. I'm going to pick one of these up. Will I need this part also: 10-10 Wiring extension 5191195AA. In the above instructions it says "if required". How will I know if it is required?

Thanks,
Bobby

Oh. 2005 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the RPK radio.