Wired FM Modulator Question

[gengerald]

Hello everyone,

I have a red 2000 Ford Ranger extended cab. I just got a Slacker G1 radio and want to get it hooked up with my truck. Before I start explaining, please excuse my level of knowledge. I have only put in two hours or so and I am still fresh to modding my truck. From what I have found, I will need a wired FM Modulator. My first question is, will my Ranger antenna input work with the “universal” input on most modulators? Also, do you have a suggestion as to what is a good unit? Next, I was planning on hooking it up for my cig lighter slot, not my AUX power slot, as I use it for my GPS. Will I need to buy a fuse or special components to get that hooked up? I understand I will not be able to use the lighter anymore, but I do not have a need for it. I am decent at soldering, but I am unsure if it is a simple male/female type connector. Also, would you suggest buying a dummy cover for it, or is leaving the lighter in it ok? I do understand that a new head unit is the best quality, but I am hesitant for two reasons. The first is I love my huge buttons on my stock single CD changer radio. Second, my budget is only $50 and most head units are $100+. Any suggestions or assistance would be great. I know I will also have to buy two “U” pins, right?, to pull out the radio and pop in the modulator. I appreciate you bearing with me in this. I am a bit nervous, as this is my first mod. Thank you for your time.

Gen

 

[4x4fun]

first your ant, should fit just fine into the fm mod. secondly metal coat hangers work just as good for the "U" pins third save your money and buy a $100+ head unit, you can pick up a sony from walmart thats base line for 80 or 90 bucks. but you get what you pay for and dont use duel or veiwsonic anything or i will be forced to make fun of you. i know money can be tight but save and do it right the first time. its better in the long run. and finally. plug it into the cig lighter dont splice the wires from the back, if you dont have a cig lighter on the end of your wire go get one there easy and even the 1.99 ones come with a fuse all ready in them
any questions

 

[Loud Ranger]

if your going to go cheap my vote is for a lower end pioneer from http://www.sonicelectronix.com/ i wouldnt ever recommend anything sony car audio whatsoever

 

[exbass94]

If you're gonna replace the head unit, I would just skip the FM modulator and get a unit with an auxilary input. You'll get much better sound quality. And there's nothing wrong with Sony head units. I have found that they're some of the most intuitive and easy to use units on the market.

 

[4x4fun]

ti say stay away from explodes and what no but i havent seen anything wrong with there head units, and a new head unit with a 1/8 jack will solve your problems i agree and i also agree with the ease of use as far as human interface goes with the sony head units.

 

[Loud Ranger]

every sony head unit ive had (3 total) have had problems reading cds after a while, just my experience anyways. i have one in my 85 fifth avenue and when it actually reads cds its ok.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

first your ant, should fit just fine into the fm mod. secondly metal coat hangers work just as good for the "U" pins third save your money and buy a $100+ head unit, you can pick up a sony from walmart thats base line for 80 or 90 bucks.

Those little U pins are dirt cheap, at least the coat hanger I tried was too small in diameter and wouldn't fully unlock the radio... I had to track down 4 really small phillips screwdrivers to get the dumb thing out because Wal-Mart was an hour away and everybody else was closed by then.

 

[gengerald]

Wow, I appreciate all the responses. I apologize for not posting sooner, as I am at college with 20 units

Well, with all these posts, I will go with a new head unit. I guess that at about $30-40 for a modulator and ok sound, I can just install an inexpensive hu for $60. For the installation, other than the Upins/coat hanger, will I need any kind of bracket or custom harness?

I have a gift card to Fry's Electronics and just searched it. They have some sweet units going. I am guessing that I should only be looking at Kenwood, Panasonic, and Sony(?) ? Are clarion and dual low end? I have found a $60 Kenwood on their site that looks like it will be a small upgrade from my stock unit, as well as a decked out wireless Sony unit on sale. I would like to keep it on the cheap, but if there is some killer unit that I can hook up my Palm Centro easily, I am definitely game for looking.

I guess my needs would be: 3.5mm slot, CD player (MP3 CD would be a plus), +/- 6 dedicated radio buttons, a clock function, and 4 input spots, as my ranger has 4 speakers. My buddy has a Kenwood and likes it for the mp3 player support, but it doesn't have the radio buttons which makes it difficult when he leaves his player at home. I will be in the same boat, so they are kind of important.

Here is the page I am looking at: Link

Here is the cheapy Kenwood: Link

I appreciate all your help with this.

GenG

Edit: Well, I just looked up that Kenwood KDC-138 on Best Buy's site and apparently it will not fit, despite it being DIN.