I hate my stock head unit. What can I say, skipping sucks and so do 12 tracks before changing a cd.

I want an MP3 player, nothing fancy, just a straight forward detachable face; not slide out or flip down face. I also want my the steering wheel controls to work and the buttons to be mostly red. I don't need it to play videos or check my email but an Ipod imput could be usefull but not req'd since I don't even have one.

Any links or suggestions guys?

 

I don't think there is an aftermarket head unit that will interface with the steering wheel controls. However, there are devices that allow you to keep the steering wheel controls. The head unit needs to be able to be remote controlled.

If my info is out of date, I'm sure someone will post the up to date info.

 

You have a couple different options, depending on the make and model deck you buy. Most IR decks are compatible with the pac swi-x unit.

Now if you buy certain models of pioneer, alpine, jvc, eclipse, or kenwood deck with a wired remote input, Pac has a couple swi units that will interface with the vehicle's steering wheel controls and plug directly into the wired remote input behind the deck.

 

the steering wheel controls will illuminate whichever color they presently illuminate. If you want to change the color, i suggest adding some LED's

 

Your best choice would be the JVC KD-ADV38 headunit. It has red illumination and is one hell of a unit with DVD 3.5 inch screen. There is also an adapter you buy for around $40 that plugs into it with a headphone jack and to your steering wheel controls wire.

I plan to get this for my TA Ws6. I already have a JVC KD-AVX33 in my Camaro, which is basically the same unit with blue illumination.

 

I kept my stock head unit and added an ipod interface that connects to the CD changer port. Works with the steering wheel controls and sounds ok (as good as the Monsoon system sounds anyway)

The interface i bought is called 'ipod2car'. It also charges the ipod.

 

I have a clarion that lets me change all the colors and thats how I got red. I just talked to the live support on crutchfield, told them what I wanted and they showed me what they had. I would recommend them to anyone.

As for the steering wheel buttons you will need a little device made by pac-audio.

Its an IR-blaster that wires into the wire coming from the steering wheel. Then you train it with the decks remote control and it works great.

I have one in the 96 and 98.

Good luck!

 

How much for both the deck and the IR blaster? Where did you get it from?

 

Don't remember how much I paid its been about 2 years.

Just go to crutchfield and talk to there live support. Tell them what you are looking for and they will help you.

 

eclipse cd4000 its a last years model but new ones on ebay all the time
buttons can be color changed and steering wheel controls built in