Wiring Car Audio to ONLY Phono Jack

**thnikkamax** · 06-25-2008, 06:44 PM

Guys,

I have a Datsun 240Z, and although I am putting a touchscreen on a custom dash console, I don't really like (stylistically) most available head units that have a front AUX jack.

Here's what I want to do.. I want to keep my old school push button radio for anything radio related. BUT, I want to wire my (2) speakers, and amp to work off of only a phono type jack (so I can connect my MP3 player, or Laptop).

Anyone care to help me with wiring this thing? Also, is there a splitter so I can choose between the old school radio, and the phono jack?

Once again, I could just avoid all this and get a cheapy HU with the aux jack in the front, but I really want to do something custom, and maintain the classic look inside the interior.

Any ideas?

**Tidder** · 06-25-2008, 06:49 PM

Just my 2 cents, but pioneer/premier sell all kinds of decks with aux inputs on the back of the unit.

When you say phono type jack, do you mean like a headphone jack?

**Bazza_84** · 06-25-2008, 07:43 PM

if it has a tape player y not get a jack to tape adapter?

**thnikkamax** · 06-25-2008, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Tidder

Just my 2 cents, but pioneer/premier sell all kinds of decks with aux inputs on the back of the unit.

When you say phono type jack, do you mean like a headphone jack?

I know they sell a lot of really cool decks, but to be honest a lot of them don't look a day past 1995. I'm trying to keep the vintage look, or at least a clean and simple look.

Yeah I mean the phono jacks just like the HU's you mention have in the front.

I could still go with a modern HU, but have not seen anything that would not look out of place with my interior.

I know I'm being picky

**thnikkamax** · 06-25-2008, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Bazza_84

if it has a tape player y not get a jack to tape adapter?

Unfortunately it's only a radio (think late 60's very early 70's with the red needle) I like it because the chrome around the buttons accentuates my trim inside and out.

I'm trying to low budget this thing, but I guess I'll just have o take the dive on a HU instead of doing something unique.

I saw an Alpine seconds ago that has a similar chrome knob look to it.. that may be the route I take. However, another reason I want to eliminate the HU and just use a stereo jack is because I want to use that space for a few gauges and switches.

Let's say I did use a tape deck with no RCA output.. how do I wire an amp?

**Tidder** · 06-25-2008, 11:27 PM

Why not get an FM modulator then? If SQ isn't a huge deal to you, and vintage is the route you wanna go.

EDIT: and you'd still be able to plug in your mp3 player and laptop if you had easy access to the fm mod plug.

**Bazza_84** · 06-26-2008, 12:00 PM

ok you would be best 2 use an fm mod, do u have a leccy ariel? if you do u'll be best to put a switch on the remote feed when ur using the mod, this way the signal of the mod is stron enough to give u a signal but the commercial radiostations cant get a good signal, this means you can go pretty much anywhere without getting interferiance.

on the no rca's

u can use the high (speaker) level outs into some amps which will give you an amped output, thats all easy stuff, but decide what u wanna do before you start as the above setup will be hindered if you decide to get a newer head unit

my 2p

Baz