1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Best & Cheapest aux-in for 2005?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by dharris, May 13, 2009.

  1. dharris

    dharris Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Washington, DC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    For 4+ years I've been broadcasting my iPod via a Monster FM transmitter. Lately it's been acting up or the FM dial in my area has done some shuffling. Whatever the cause, I now need to change frequencies a couple time during my commute. Since I plan to have this car for at least another five years, I think it's time to spend a little to add an aux-in port.

    So, what's the best low-end way to add an aux in audio port for my 2005 Prius?

    Controlling my iPod or iPhone from the display isn't required -- I listen to podcasts and have them queued up in a smart playlist to continually play.

    Charging would be nice, but I do have a separate adaptor for that already.

    I've searched this forum, but most posters seem to have a 2006 or later model which included the aux in jack. Any body with a 2004 or 2005 have advice on this?
     
  2. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    PAC AUX-BOX will do the job you're looking for. Lots of owners have gone that route.
     
  3. ambrothe

    ambrothe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2005
    99
    5
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Any ideas for adding an aux-input (just for an audio cable from an iPod) without having to disconnect my satellite radio? Some ten years ago, I had a CD changer in a previous car that was connected though the antenna line - anything like that still available?
     
  4. aolm

    aolm Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2005
    82
    2
    3
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five

    The aux box is the cheapest route... it's tricky to plug it into the back of the headunit. You have to pull out the right vent assembly and glove box. You need the proper y adapter that converts the 10 disk player "out" to fit the aux box "in" plug. Check out my old posts "aolm". The antenna "in" will not work. I ultimately decided to bypass the entire in car system and run my "aux in" directly into a 4 channel amp. I left my old aux box hanging out of the back of my headunit...which i do not use any more. I listen to sat radio. The 06 year was the first year that toyota put in a real aux in.
     
  5. dkenglish7

    dkenglish7 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2005
    22
    1
    0
    Location:
    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    I don't recall if a package 3 has a tape player, but for my 2005 package 9, the cheapest aux-in has turned out to be one of those silly old wired cassette adapters. Less than $20, no dash disassembly required, and for playing mp3 files I can't tell any difference from listening to the iPod directly.
     
  6. Gotpancit

    Gotpancit New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2009
    15
    0
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Is there a direct link of what to buy? all the cardomain ones that have come up during a search are all dead links.

    i too have an '05 that I want aux-in. My understanding is you need 1)toyota Y cable and 2) PAC aux box

    and thats it right?
     
  7. dharris

    dharris Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2008
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Washington, DC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Sadly, I have no tape player. I agree that would be the cheapest/best option for those with a tape player.

    I think another option may be some inexpensive speakers that I can power through the cigarette lighter -- and bypass the car stereo altogether.
     
  8. Skwyre7

    Skwyre7 What's the catch?

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2006
    2,332
    6
    0
    Location:
    Richmond, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I had one of the wired FM modulators that plugged in via the AM/FM antenna in. It worked, but the sound quality wasn't great. In fact, it was barely acceptable. If I had to do it again, I'd go the PAC aux box route.
     
  9. Sparky9292

    Sparky9292 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2009
    37
    2
    0
    Location:
    Earth
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah, but the cassette adapter is only one small step up in quality from the FM transmitters (which were always CRAP if you lived in a semi-large city).

    There is a LARGE leap in quality going from cassette adapter to direct AUX. There still is a hiss, and usually you can hear the cassette gears grinding a bit.

    I have a 6-disk CD changer, no satellite, and I'd love to have a direct AUX connection to my radio. oh well.:(