Yes, it is a stock in-dash CD6 radio with an iPod aux port installed.







I first found them on ebay like this one here. As it turns out, the seller, factoryradioservice.com, can add an aux port to your existing factory setup. This is especially nice if you don't want to throw in one of those silly flashy-looking aftermarket radios that leave a gap in the opening on your dash. He charges about $55 for the service and $15 for shipping the unit back to you. You pay about $8-10 via USPS etc. to ship it to him, he does the work and ships it back to you. So total you're looking at $80-90 out the door--which is still cheaper than buying a separate already-completed assembly. Turnaround time is about 2 weeks.

The only thing is, unless you have an existing radio with an "AUX" button feature or one with a satellite radio receiver installed (which mine didn't even though it had a "SAT" button), he would basically have to run it through the CD player. In other words, when you want to use your iPod, you have to insert a CD and hit the CD button with the aux cable inserted. Don't worry, if you decide you want to listen to your CD then all you have to do is unplug your aux cable from the unit.

All in all, it's a great setup, much better than my old one which used the cassette tape adapter, which would do the annoying auto-fast forward when you pause your iPod after a short period of time or are listening to a very quiet song. And plus the sound quality is SOOO much better.

Looks good! With the '04 I bought the iSimple universal auxilary input kit for $50 and installed it myself. Piece of cake. Its a "hard wired" FM modulator; so absolutely no static and great sound. I installed the power switch and aux input hole right inline with the "Power Point" under the cupholders. Everyone says it looks factory and works great. Can get pics later if anyone is interested.

My apologies to the OP. Not trying to hi-jack your thread...:)

If I had one of these to rip apart (with or without the hack installed), I'd probably be able to figure it out for you. Most car stereo audio chips have multiple inputs, just some are left unused, and some of those inputs "override" whatever is currently playing anyways.

Of course, $55 is actually a really good deal, so unless you enjoy soldering, I'd suggest to send it to him.

I like that! Thanks for the link.

Curious how it looks, post some pics if possible.

I unfortunately didn't take any pics during the install, but I have a preset to 87.9 (The modulated frequency when the unit is on) and the box itself is held to the backside of the glovebox with double stick tape. I tapped into the "Power Point" for power...anyways; here's the only pics I have...basically only showing mounting location. I had it installed in under an hour...

We sell them and install them at work.

If you truly want a picture I can get you one tomorrow.

Pretty good little unit. We sell a lot of them since it's usually cheaper than replacing the stock radio.

Interesting.

I may have to look into the iSimple. My cd player toasted finally after 5 panthers and being 6+ years old.

I'm thinking of putting in a marauder radio I have laying around but I'm pretty sure it doesn't play MP3. I'd want to buy a decently large mp3 player if I go that route so I wouldn't be saving money per se but it would be nice to avoid cds and leaving them in the car all the time.

Looks good! Too bad that in order to properly install my relay and make it work I still need an aftermarket radio head.. :/

Nope, it doesn't play Mp3's...

I have a factory "Dual-Media" radio (AM/FM/Cassette/CD/Mp3) in my Ranger that looks a lot like the Marauder radio I have in my GMQ; I received some Mp3 formatted CD's from my brother, and they play perfectly in the Ranger, but they won't play in the Merc.

Yeah that's what I figured.

Realistically I'll probably end up either finding a CD6 with mp3(Local junkyard has one I think plays mp3 for $125) or buying another aftermarket stereo and swapping the marauder radio back out.

Did you need any adaptors for the antenna in or out?

Thanks

So here's some pictures I took at work today.






^Pretty much place that box on your antenna line. Antenna wire runs through that box. Whenever you turn the switch on it blocks outside AM/FM frequencies and plays your iPod through the radio.

are the cables fairly long? I was interested in mounting this device in my center console and am wondering if it will reach

The box is meant to be placed behind the radio. So you might have some issues with the antenna wires meeting the required length. You could always pick up some extensions.

Either that or extend the aux jack out to the console.

I know it can be done.