Rav4 D4d - Ipod Adapter Needed

[ddcristi]

Hello all...

I have been searching and searching.. And I haven't found what I'm looking for..

I have a Toyota RAV4 D4D (diesel, 2001, european model) and I have the OEM CD player inside and the OEM Speakers.. Unfortunately I don't have neither the money, nor the DIY skills to change the Speakers and the player, but I would still like to improve the sound a little bit.. So, I have decided that I would like to buy an iPod adapter that can be connected to the CD Changer connector, located under the passenger seat.

My question: has anybody bought something like this? I need an iPod adapter that can be connected to the CD Changer connector directly, with no mods. I need that adapter to be able to "read", control and charge a 80 GB iPod.

So far, what I've found on the Internet doesn't really help. I have found one model that can only be purchased in the USA.. Another one, in the UK, but it says it's only compatible to 30 or 40 GB iPods... Unfortunately I live in Romania and it's not very easy for me to buy stuff from the US or UK, and I have the same problem with eBay.. So I would need a shop where I can order it, and I need to be sure it works on my car.

Thanks and I'm looking forward for any answers...

Cristian

PS: I have attached a picture of my OEM player.. Does anybody have this player and an iPod adapter connected to it? Which model fits?

[St Thicket]

You could allways consider a dension gateway 100. It's a little bit expensive, but should work well with the stereo. You have full controlling possibilities through the stereo.

There are also possibilities to get a cheap analog input where you just connect the ipod through the jack plug. However, this does not allow you to control the ipod with the stereo buttons. Click here for an example

[Hoovie]

We probably need more info about your iPod also to be able to answer for you.

I have the Dension Ice>Link Plus - which is now called the Dension gateway 100 I believe.

This worked very well for me and my 58812 Head Unit - which looks like the same one as you have from the photo. Can you confirm the model number of the head unit as well please.

At the time I bought that unit, I had a 20GB iPod Photo and it worked fine. I later bought a 30GB iPod Video and it worked fine with that with no changes needed to anything.

The 30GB iPod Video was the same as the 60GB iPod Video except for capacity, so it may be that someone has either you unit specifically or the same one but with a different storage capacity

[ddcristi]

Hmmm... Unfortunately I have no idea where to look for the model number of the Head Unit.. I have tried to find out the exact model number and I couldn't find it.. And that's why I had to attach the picture of the unit, maybe someone would recognize it...

About the iPod.. I don't have the iPod yet, but I have offers to buy two models of iPod Classic.. One with a capacity of 30 GB and the other of 80 GB.. They are the same as this one: http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/specs.html , but with smaller hard drive capacities.

I have also found this iPod adapter:

http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-158-113-ipo...a-98-to-06.aspx

Unfortunately, I don't know FOR SURE if it works with my head unit and one of the iPods that I can buy...

The Dension Gateway 100 looks ok, but it's a bit too expensive for my budget right now.. :( And I really want to buy an adaptor that can help me control the iPod from the OEM unit. So a cheap analog adapter won't help me..

Cristian

[anchorman]

This is available from Toyota and is compatible with the 4.2 head unit;

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=72652

Depending on your unit you may not be able to view the track info.

Good luck

[Hoovie]

Hmmm... Unfortunately I have no idea where to look for the model number of the Head Unit.. I have tried to find out the exact model number and I couldn't find it.. And that's why I had to attach the picture of the unit, maybe someone would recognize it...

About the iPod.. I don't have the iPod yet, but I have offers to buy two models of iPod Classic.. One with a capacity of 30 GB and the other of 80 GB.. They are the same as this one: http://www.apple.com/ipodclassic/specs.html , but with smaller hard drive capacities.

I have also found this iPod adapter:

http://www.oemautosound.com/pc-158-113-ipo...a-98-to-06.aspx

Unfortunately, I don't know FOR SURE if it works with my head unit and one of the iPods that I can buy...

The Dension Gateway 100 looks ok, but it's a bit too expensive for my budget right now.. :( And I really want to buy an adaptor that can help me control the iPod from the OEM unit. So a cheap analog adapter won't help me..

Cristian

This is the unit I had in my RAV4 - The iPod in the photo is the 30GB iPod Video.

It does the same as yours - the Toyota Model number is usually written above the CD slot liek in the one above.

You pic is not clear enough to read it.

The Dension iPod interface plugs into the CD-Change directly - mine uses the 5+7 Pin layout - with the age of your RAV, I am pretty sure it will also.

I have never held the iPod Classic so don't know if it is the same size.

If it is of any interest, I am going to put this Dension iPod Interface, Cradle and the 20GB iPod Photo (which is white in colour) up for sale very shortly.

[ddcristi]

This is the unit I had in my RAV4 - The iPod in the photo is the 30GB iPod Video.

It does the same as yours - the Toyota Model number is usually written above the CD slot liek in the one above.

You pic is not clear enough to read it.

The Dension iPod interface plugs into the CD-Change directly - mine uses the 5+7 Pin layout - with the age of your RAV, I am pretty sure it will also.

I have never held the iPod Classic so don't know if it is the same size.

If it is of any interest, I am going to put this Dension iPod Interface, Cradle and the 20GB iPod Photo (which is white in colour) up for sale very shortly.

I have succeeded to get the Model Number of my unit... It is 58806. I have also taken another picture of it.. Unfortunately the new picture isn't very clear either, because I made it using my phone.. :)

I am interested in the Dension interface and the Cradle.. The iPod doesn't really help me.. Have you thought of a price for them? :D

Thanks, Cristian

[ddcristi]

Hello again hoovie..

Any news about the Dension interface and the Cradle? I mean the price for them? :) And when do you think you'll want sell them.. :)

Regards, Cristian

[Hoovie]

Well they are out the car ready to be eBayed/sold/etc right now. Just not done anything about them.

I was looking at a iPod Classic at the weekend and they look identical in apperance to the iPods I have, so they should physically fit but I am not able to test this out. This is something that it you did want to buy you would have to take a chance on.

Out of interest, When the iPod is plugged into the Dension, it actually creates a different interface on the iPod Display then the normal one, using different fonts and all that kind of thing

Price wise, I'll work out what I would like to sell for and PM you. Hopefully my price will be less then you wanted to pay and we will both be happy!

[ddcristi]

I have finally succeeded to take a picture of the connector under the passenger seat and I will upload it here.. Does it fit the Dension plug?

Regards, Cristian

[nattyboy]

Well they are out the car ready to be eBayed/sold/etc right now. Just not done anything about them.

I was looking at a iPod Classic at the weekend and they look identical in apperance to the iPods I have, so they should physically fit but I am not able to test this out. This is something that it you did want to buy you would have to take a chance on.

Out of interest, When the iPod is plugged into the Dension, it actually creates a different interface on the iPod Display then the normal one, using different fonts and all that kind of thing

Price wise, I'll work out what I would like to sell for and PM you. Hopefully my price will be less then you wanted to pay and we will both be happy!

Does this unit connect into the back of the head unit Hoovie. I'd be well interested in yours but the wife has a nano 2 nd generation so it wouldnt fit the cradle ?

Cheers

Nat

[Hoovie]

Have a look this post to get an idea of how the ICE>Link plus fits .... http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=85316

Quick summary - installs where the CD-Changer goes, so ddcristi, the plug you photo'ed is not actually the right one.

There are two connection options for the iPod - one was a cradle, one was a flying lead. The cradle is just the flying lead with a holder, so if the cradle was wrong, the connection would still be ok, it just would not be cradled. The official toyota version is a flying lead for a comparision. The cradle is designed for a full-size ipod and there are inserts to cater for different thicknesses of iPods - as that was the main way they varied. No idea if they make an insert for a nano.

Have to run .........

[three5]

Have a look this post to get an idea of how the ICE>Link plus fits .... http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=85316

Quick summary - installs where the CD-Changer goes, so ddcristi, the plug you photo'ed is not actually the right one.

There are two connection options for the iPod - one was a cradle, one was a flying lead. The cradle is just the flying lead with a holder, so if the cradle was wrong, the connection would still be ok, it just would not be cradled. The official toyota version is a flying lead for a comparision. The cradle is designed for a full-size ipod and there are inserts to cater for different thicknesses of iPods - as that was the main way they varied. No idea if they make an insert for a nano.

Have to run .........

Hoovie,

I extended the wiring on my Toyota iPod kit so that I could fit it in the tray under the central arm rest along with my phone. If anyone is interested, I'll (try and) post a photo. The interface itself fits in the removable cover at the rear of the arm rest console. Extending the wiring was fairly easy but took a couple of hours. Someone more competent would doubtless be quicker. Only thing to watch is that there is one ( orange and white if I remember correctly ) twisted pair in the cable and that needs to be completed first so that the twist can be maintained. The rest was a visit to Maplin for the wire and shrinking sleeving and getting all the wires cut the same length.

[Hoovie]

I originally fitted the iPod Cradle in that trinkets tray thingy between the handbrake and central armrest but found I tended to look down at it so bad for keeping eye on road.

By the sound of it, the Dension Ice>Link has a much longer cable then the Toyota iPod kit - I fitted it there and had plently of scope to move it further back if I wanted.

[ddcristi]

Have a look this post to get an idea of how the ICE>Link plus fits .... http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=85316

Quick summary - installs where the CD-Changer goes, so ddcristi, the plug you photo'ed is not actually the right one.

There are two connection options for the iPod - one was a cradle, one was a flying lead. The cradle is just the flying lead with a holder, so if the cradle was wrong, the connection would still be ok, it just would not be cradled. The official toyota version is a flying lead for a comparision. The cradle is designed for a full-size ipod and there are inserts to cater for different thicknesses of iPods - as that was the main way they varied. No idea if they make an insert for a nano.

Have to run .........

Hmmm... wheird... I thought the CD Changer goes into that plug.. the one I have taken a picture of.. Isn't that plug used to connect the CD Changer? It is located under the passenger seat of my car... If the CD Changer is not connected there, does anybody know what is that plug used for?

Regards, Cristian