Audio Install
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Springfield
Audio Install
So my truck never came with a radio...I only say that because I have no antenna hole where most others do.
Quite honestly, I'm not sure if I actually want to drill a hole for antenna.
What I thought about doing was putting a small amp under my seat and hooking it to the door speakers and just running a "Y-cable" from the amp input to my mp3 player.
Has anyone done this or a setup like this? Ideally I'd put the amp behind the seat but I have an in cab gas tank and I don't really want to drill into it.
Quite honestly, I'm not sure if I actually want to drill a hole for antenna.
What I thought about doing was putting a small amp under my seat and hooking it to the door speakers and just running a "Y-cable" from the amp input to my mp3 player.
Has anyone done this or a setup like this? Ideally I'd put the amp behind the seat but I have an in cab gas tank and I don't really want to drill into it.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Spencer Mountain, NC
Check out this thread on another site. Should answer your question. HOW TO: ipod into hotrod without a radio - THE H.A.M.B.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
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From: Near St. Joseph,MO
in my 89, I ran a powered sub and a small amp pushing some door speakers behind the seat. From there I ran a y up to the dash so I could plug my iphone straight into the amp. Worked perfect, was hidden and gave me hands free phone. It's simple to do, so go for it. 
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
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From: Austin, TX
In my opinion there is not enough worthwhile stuff on the radio these days to justify drilling a hole in original sheetmetal
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
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From: Near St. Joseph,MO
yeah, that's what I believe he meant, and I know it's what I was talking about.
Exactly on the radio being worthless. I never listen to the radio anymore thanks to 1 song - 5 commercials. I also don't use CD's anymore, so a full head unit is kinda of pointless. With a dvd screen, it makes it more useful but still for the money, it's a toss up. I'm probably going to go back to the y cable route in my Scab, and just have a loud system run from my phone.
Exactly on the radio being worthless. I never listen to the radio anymore thanks to 1 song - 5 commercials. I also don't use CD's anymore, so a full head unit is kinda of pointless. With a dvd screen, it makes it more useful but still for the money, it's a toss up. I'm probably going to go back to the y cable route in my Scab, and just have a loud system run from my phone.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 3
From: Sunny Florida
Kicker and a couple of other brands build small external amplifiers that directly use eother a 3.5mm input jack or USB input as the source. Power, ground and speaker leads are all you need to run, so installation is simple. Check Crutchfield for companies building amplifiers equipped with this onboard processing and you can buy them at a discount from Woofers Ect.com, they have excellent priecing and terrific customer service... I have spent thousands with them.
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From: Springfield
I found the following amp that has a 3.5mm jack on it. I might look into it....especially for the price...but then again, you get what you pay for.
At this point, $20 for music sounds pretty amazing!
Pyle - PLMPA35 - 2 Channel 300 Watt Mini Amplifier w/3.5mm Input
At this point, $20 for music sounds pretty amazing!
Pyle - PLMPA35 - 2 Channel 300 Watt Mini Amplifier w/3.5mm Input
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Sunny Florida
I found the following amp that has a 3.5mm jack on it. I might look into it....especially for the price...but then again, you get what you pay for.
At this point, $20 for music sounds pretty amazing!
Pyle - PLMPA35 - 2 Channel 300 Watt Mini Amplifier w/3.5mm Input
At this point, $20 for music sounds pretty amazing!
Pyle - PLMPA35 - 2 Channel 300 Watt Mini Amplifier w/3.5mm Input
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Springfield
Well im doing my research that's for sure. That was just the first one I've come across. So they do exist.
I don't know if it would be better to get a USB one or a 3.5mm connection for the mp3 player.
The USB would be nice because of the charging aspect.
I don't know if it would be better to get a USB one or a 3.5mm connection for the mp3 player.
The USB would be nice because of the charging aspect.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Springfield
Yeah, I know USB is cleaner and offers charging. I'm not having much lucking finding a good amp though. The only one's i've found so far are "Pyle" and "Kinter".
I've done searches using "2 channel amp with usb input"; "2 channel amp with aux input"; "2 channel car amp with usb input", etc. Still "pyle" and "kinter" come up.
I have seen ones with iPod controls, but I don't have an iPod. I've got an android phone.
I've done searches using "2 channel amp with usb input"; "2 channel amp with aux input"; "2 channel car amp with usb input", etc. Still "pyle" and "kinter" come up.
I have seen ones with iPod controls, but I don't have an iPod. I've got an android phone.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Springfield
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Sunny Florida