ArmchairArchitect

I'm familiar with the 3.5mm aux jack mod; but it's 2018 now and wondering if there's a cheap solution to solder in (or connect to the wires behind the radio) to make the stock radio bluetooth capable?

Thinking where the 3.5mm jack would be soldered, one could potentially solder on a bluetooth chip instead (just may need run power to it as well)? It's a Z06 so don't have a CD changer in the back, FYI.

Would one of these work?

I know there's a $90 bluetooth kit out there but trying to keep this on a budget otherwise I'll just do the cheap 3.5mm mod.

Deneb

I found a big hit in sound quality with CD in trunk Bluetooth mod, so I uninstalled it and just burn CDs for the vet.

WillItFloat

The main problem I see with wiring a blue tooth adapter into the stock head unit is you will have no way to control it, no way to switch between your bluetooth device (a phone I assume) and the radio or CD player. You could, I suppose, stream radio on the phone and just use the head unit as an amplifier but if you're ever in a dead zone no radio (but maybe you never get out of metropolitan areas or off of interstates). If you do figure all this out you will be a hero.

If you install the 3.5 mm jack you have will much more flexibility, I think. The jack and a Kinivo Bluetooth Car Kit or similar will cost less than $40. I installed my jack in the console so the wire to the jack and the power cable for the Kinivo hide in there.

TeamBFT

Heck - until I decided to upgrade my entire system, I grabbed one of these off Amazon for $16. Initially I paid $30 for one at Walmart (Griffin brand) and it sucked. Got this from Amazon and works surprisingly well - have to turn volume **** up more that AM/FM for example, but it plays pretty damn nice.

jumpmanmb87

I use this one

works great! just use https://radio-locator.com/ and find a station not used in your area.

tommie

I have the same one in my truck and it works great. I plan to put one in the vette too.

ArmchairArchitect

Sorry, meant to say not interested in FM transmitters (already have one) due to the interference/noise and lower audio quality as compared to hardwire or bluetooth.

mrmagloo

I was in the same boat and I was able to come up with a great solution that works great. Earlier, I tried the FM converter things, and they sounded like crap.

Firstly, I bought the PAC ipod adapter from DD a couple of years ago. So that was my start point and the ipod sounds great, but just got tired of managing the playlists.

So after doing some research, I found a product that plugs into the male ipod connecter and is bluetooth to connect to my phone to play Spotify, or whatever content I have. It's called Coolstream Duo.

https://coolstreamrocks.com/coolstre...usic-receiver/

The best thing is, it's only $30. Highly recommended - Sounds great!

Nabcoinc

It looks like this device needs an AUX plug to work in the car, is that correct..

Thanks

mrmagloo

No. Again, I had already installed the PAC 30-pin ipod connecter that I have been using for some time. This Coolstream Duo is a Bluetooth receiver that plugs into the 30-pin ipod connector. I know that it also has a round 3.5 mm aux input too, but I don't use that.

Check the link I posted. It has a lot of useful info. All I can say is, the bluetooth reception is fantastic. No cutting in and out, and the music quality is the same as the ipod, meaning 100 times better than the FM converter things that are junk. In my convertible, the sound quality is very close to the CD. Obviously, the CD is not compressed, but with Spotify I always download the play lists in the Highest Quality, which is another good tip. It does make a difference.

Again, using the stock radio, this is the best set up I've found.

2k2wranglerx

Just got my bluetooth to aux installed and it's great. I notice no negatives to the sound. That said the eq and levels on the app you use will affect it. Video incoming.

2k2wranglerx

https://youtu.be/6V5TvvSnUJM

Stamanti

What harness / products did you use hook up the bluetooth to AUX? The same method as mrmagloo?

2k2wranglerx

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B017UV2KCC?ref_=mw_olp_product_details

it just plugs in using it's own harness in line with the factory harness. Super easy.

Stamanti

Awesome.

Thanks.

Nabcoinc

Does it plug into the back of the head unit or can you disconnect the cd changer and plug it in there like the AUX option that is available that way....if you can plug it in at the changer without ripping out the das that would be awesome!!

cwf04vette

I bought this and use it in my 2003. Works great. I have XM radio on my iPhone and I can play all my favorites from the 50/60/70's.

Stamanti

I purchased and installed the system recommended by 2k2wranglerx:


Install was straightforward, and it worked right away.

2k2wranglerx

glad it worked out for you. I've been pleased with mine.

Humy

This is awesome, I had no idea. Just ordered one. So excited, gonna be a rocking Spring