After searching the forums and reading for hours, it appears that there is no way to add iPod access to the factory non-nav stereo. The threads are 5-10 years old and the most of the links are no longer valid.

A local stereo installer with 40 years experience building auto and home systems was also stumped.

It has been suggested (outside of this forum) that I use the Scosche FM-mod02 wired modulator but reviews are mixed.

I saw one recommendation for the Clarion M303, which is still available in the $90-150 range. I also found the Clarion M109 for $90 (sale ends tomorrow) on the Crutchfield website. Neither of these looks as good as the original.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

Several of us have installed the Kenwood marine radios, like the one in my signature.
Or the Clarion marine, or Sony has a couple as well that look OK.

 

Is the red in the stereo a reflection of off of yor beautiful dash?

The Kenwood marine stereos that I am see online have a blue backlight color that would compliment my sapphire blue exterior.

 

Variable Color Illumination?

 

Probably the passenger seat. I have the color set to Green-Yellow #2, it is close enough, but not quite yellow enough for perfect match. (You can sort of see it in the phone button to the left of the ****)
I also bought a non-working Clarion M502 and I am going to try to change the LEDs from blue to green&yellow. If it works, I might get one of those to try as well. My only real complaint about the Kenwood is the front USB, that is great for thumb drives, but horrible for iPod/iPhone. I don't want any wires in the car, that stuff should be routed to console or glovebox. I have a 16GB Sandisk Cruzer Fit that works great, it sticks out less than the door for the usb port.

 

At this point, I will only be using my iPod for listening to podcasts while on long road trips. Around town I will just listen to the radio so the exposed wires will not be much of an issue but you put a question in my mind. Can I eliminate the 5th generation iPod Nano and download podcasts from iTunes to thumb drives?

I see four models on the Kenwood website and it appears that yours is the KMR-D562BT. They all appear to offer the same options. They all look very sleek when compared to the Clarion.

 

Yes, that is my model (I have it in my signature). For random music, straight USB works fine, but I do listen to a lot of audiobooks, and unless you can correctly order the file names (which I do for this purpose) a playlist on an iPod works best through a car system. Also from my last radio I had in my Charger, I really grew to like several local HD Radio stations, and would love to get a silver radio with HD. I have thought about using the silver faceplate and trim on another Kenwood with HD option as well. Also the bluetooth for phone usage is pretty good.

 

"For random music, straight USB works fine, but I do listen to a lot of audiobooks, and unless you can correctly order the file names (which I do for this purpose) a playlist on an iPod works best through a car system."

I will definitely research your above statement. I will also research HD radio. Thanks!

It sounds like you are quite the car stereo tinkerer! Although I replaced my first car stereo back in '78, I have done very little modifications since then and have relied on the factory units.

 

Not really, I just happened to buy a used Pioneer AVIC Double Din Nav DVD with the HD Radio add on, and put it in a 2008 Kia Amanti I had for a while, and I moved that to my 2006 Dodge Charger R/T and basically used the same radio in 2 cars for 7 years, and really got used to certain features. If you saw the 1980s black plasticy yellow led piece of crap in my El Camino, you would wonder why it hasn't been changed. I plan on putting a factory 67 AM radio in and hacking the internals to a modern system.
And with the Crossfire, the look of the radio is probably at the highest of my requirements since it is such a clean look with the silver center stack. I have a bunch of tiny surface mount LEDs in 7 colors after doing some changes to my daughter's XBOX 360 controller for kicks.
ANd if anyone ever wants to do something like that, WARNING, they are TINY, I mean friggin TINY. If you break off the tip of a pencil, they are smaller than that!
But they are basically free in quantities they are so cheap, so I might try changing the leds on a clarion, I really want to try one because of the look alone, but that controller **** is pretty funky, and from what I read, takes a learning curve to appreciate.

 

The problem with USB as you menton is you need a playlist. I have a Galaxy SIII with a 64GB microSD that is over half full now so approaching 500 albums. The phone connects via BT to the radio and has a nice display of the albums sorted by name or artist.

Usually I select an album then switch to either GPS or Torque Pro display.

When I bought my XF in '13 I thought it was going to take both a phone and a tablet but since then I bought the SIII with a 5" display and that does everything. well (still have a 7" tab in the Jeep but now have a phone mount also.

At first I used a CD mount with a clamp but since then have found that a magnetic mount does not lose the phone on a hard shift.

 

I have a good process worked out using a program call "NotPod" to sync playlists to a USB drive from iTunes. Then I use"Flash Renamer" and rename files with zero padded disc and track numbers, so they all play sequentially just fine.
I typically keep whatever book I am listening to on one USB drive, and my music on another.
BTW, Kenwood does have a program that supposedly indexs usb drive for use on the radio, but honestly I either can't figure it out, or more likely, it is smoke and mirrors.

 

I get my son to figure out programs etc, You could try to find a eight year old kid, they'll do it just to show you how smart they are, any older and they will want to be paid as well just to show you they are even smarter.

 

I am not on any social media, that is my limit. I am fairly willing to dig into any program, and options, or actually set up a process myself. I do work in I.T., so like cars, it is a hobby as well as a necessity.

 

I just clicked "Pay Now" on Ebay on a new KMR-D562BT for $102.

Thanks for the advice!

Do I still need to purchase a removal key?

 

Yeah, to get out the factory one, or you can look online for template to cut your own. FWIW, here is my current settings on custom RGB color that matches the cluster and controls lighting pretty close.
The center controls are greener and the odometer is yellower, so this matches ok.

 

I purchased a Kenwood KDC-X598, an antenna adaptor and a Metra 70-1786 wiring harness.

Everything but the rear woofer/subwoofer is working. After much searching I read a review of the harness and mentioned that the green & purple wires must go into the subwoofer ports and not the rear speaker ports as the Crossfire only has a subwoofer. Someone else said that it is actually a woofer. Regardless, I have tried what I think is every conceivable connection and still have no sound in the rear.

 

First question, did they work before?
If not, then they foam surrounds are probably shot, $25 fix.

 

Not being an audiophile, I am embarrassed to say that I do not know if the rear speakers were working before. I guess I would need to reinstall the original stereo to find out. I do know that they did not buzz or emit any other foul sounds. .

I did find your other thread concerning blown rear speakers. I had no idea that speakers could be repaired! I added the repair kit to my Ebay cart just in case I need them.

 

I also found a thread that offered step-step instructions for replacing the rear speakers. I do not see any grills over the rear tires. I do see a large grill directly behind the license plate.

 

One of mine made a slight buzz/vibration sound, the other did nothing. After replacing the surrounds, with the right song, I get a back massage.