Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

[Joe L.]

As most of us know, most original radios used on Corvettes did not have an auxiliary input. This makes it impossible in most cases to use modern devices like MP3 players, portable CD players, or portable satellite radio. Those Corvettes which had cassette decks can use a cassette adapter for external device input but it's not the best way from a sound quality standpoint. Plus, most Corvettes never had cassette players, either.

There are devices known as AUXILIARY INPUT ADAPTERS which can be used to add an auxiliary input to SOME factory radios but they are not available for every application.

I have a particular problem with a factory radio without auxiliary input. It's not a Corvette application but I would think the exact same problem would exist with some Corvette radios, particularly those from the early 2000's without auxiliary input. I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP with factory "Monsoon" radio system with 6 CD in-dash radio. I have purchased FOUR different auxiliary input adapters and NONE of them will work with my system. There are no other ones available that I can find. Apparently, my 2004 application is a particularly tough one. From what I can find out, if I had a 2003 or 2005, getting an auxiliary input adapter would be no problem. I've contacted United Radio, a major Delco-authorized service center and they don't seem to feel they can modify the radio and wire-in an auxiliary input.

I'm stumped. Has anyone out there had a late model radio modified to add an auxiliary input and, if so, who did it?

[Gary C.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

Joe,

Best option is a FM adapter. Have been using a FM adapter for satellite radio for years and it works well. Key is an adapter that the FM transmitter can be any frequency.

There are numerous iPod/iPhone FM adapters. Griffin's an example: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/griffin-technology-itrip-auto-fm-transmitter-for-apple-ipod-and-iphone/7750249.p;jsessionid=221BB4C79F91AB20416B3FAFD8E4C 1AA.bbolsp-app01-175?id=1140394452806&skuId=7750249&st=categoryid$a bcat0208031&cp=1&lp=3

Gary
....

[Joe L.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

Joe,

Best option is a FM adapter. Have been using a FM adapter for satellite radio for years and it works well. Key is an adapter that the FM transmitter can be any frequency.

There are numerous iPod/iPhone FM adapters. Griffin's an example: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/griffin-technology-itrip-auto-fm-transmitter-for-apple-ipod-and-iphone/7750249.p;jsessionid=221BB4C79F91AB20416B3FAFD8E4C 1AA.bbolsp-app01-175?id=1140394452806&skuId=7750249&st=categoryid$a bcat0208031&cp=1&lp=3

Gary
....

Gary------


The problem with an FM adapter for me is that in the area where I live there are virtually no unused FM frequencies. The few that there are have "cross-over" from adjoining frequencies and are, therefore, unusable.

[Gary C.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

then you'll have to opt for a radio upgrade with the aux attachment

[Steve L.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

Joe,
Here is a fellow that restores old radios that is recommended on the CF forum. He adds aux inputs to old corvette radios. I suspect he is pricey.

http://electrodesign.us/faq.htm#Can_you_install_auxiliary_input_jacks_in_most_radios

[Edward B.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

I suspect he is pricey.

Not at all. I had Jerry restore my 69 AM/FM Stereo and add the aux input and it only cost me $400. That included several parts that needed to be replaced, the aux input conversion, his labor and shipping. It turned out GREAT!!

BUT... I don't know if Jerry works on later model stuff. You can call him and find out though.

Did you try a REDIRAD? I was thinking about getting one of those before I had Jerry restore my radio.

Ed

[Steve L.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

Not at all. I had Jerry restore my 69 AM/FM Stereo and add the aux input and it only cost me $400. That included several parts that needed to be replaced, the aux input conversion, his labor and shipping. It turned out GREAT!!

BUT... I don't know if Jerry works on later model stuff. You can call him and find out though.

Did you try a REDIRAD? I was thinking about getting one of those before I had Jerry restore my radio.

Ed

Thanks for the price input, I was wondering what he charged since I couldn't find any prices on his web site except $65 for adding an aux input. However, to fix a radio for $400 is pricey in my books. Although he replaces the capacitors and tunes all the intermediate freq. CF forum praises him.

For $400 you can get a pretty fancy modern radio but what would be the fun in that. I'll probably get him to do my 73 original stereo.

Did you send him your power amp as well as the radio?

[Edward B.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

Did you send him your power amp as well as the radio?

Yes, he got everything. The radio, the amp and the convector. That way he could repair, restore and test the system as a "complete unit".

However, to fix a radio for $400 is pricey in my books.

While $400 seems to be a lot, it really isn't. He didn't just "fix" the radio. He "restored" it. I thought mine was actually in pretty good shape when I shipped it to him, but was VERY surprised at how much better it looked when it came back. It really did look new! And he guarantees his work for a full year instead of 90 days like most shops.

I highly recommend Jerry, but I have to warn you, DON'T be in a hurry! He's always backlogged and his typical turn around time is around 2 (or more) months. But in my opinion, he's well worth the wait.

Update - I just checked his web site and apparently he's no longer doing anything except 53-72 Corvette and a few other GM Wonderbar radios, so sorry Joe and Steve, looks like your outta luck with Jerry. (Although I wonder why he stops at 1972? I thought that same basic radio was used up to the late 70's.)

Ed

[Steve L.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

Ed,
Where do you see that he only does up to 72 radios? I just looked at his site. On his services offered page he says up to mid 1980's. Plus there is lots of references on other pages to post 72 radios.

[Edward B.]

Re: Auxiliary Input For Factory Radios

On his HOME PAGE Steve. The 3rd paragraph down:

As a reminder, I stopped working on anything except 53-72 Corvette auto radios and a few other GM Wonderbar models about a year ago.

Looks like his home page was updated on July 24th, 2014, but I would call him anyway.

Ed