Hi there,

My name is Michael, i have been reading the forums for the past few months as i was searching to upgrade from my previous car:

A 1991 TP Magna wagon

to a new car. i really wanted to get a magna, and ended up landing an incredible deal:

2005 TW ES Series II magna Wagon for just under $11,000.

i found the Aussie magna club forums to be very helpful, and it was with that help that i moved to getting a newer series TW over a TJ, which i was originally set on. i was unable to post as my user registration thing stuffed up, but has recently been fixed, thanks :)



i am incredibly happy with this car, but i do have one major gripe, which is why i write this thread.

I noticed the stock cd player does not have an AUX input on the front, which is quite annoying as older models up to the TJ series II did. i cannot understand why it was removed.


i am planning to get a new head unit, mainly for the AUX input. but there are a few questions i have:


-i have read on the forums here that some people have had problems with their Aerials automatically raising during CD/AUX use of the head unit, when it should stay down

-is it possible at all to make an AUX input for my stock cd player? if i pulled it out would there be a way to make an AUX input for the back of it? at all? if that is possible, i may just do that as i am quite happy with the player otherwise.


for now, that is my only real question, but i am looking to work on the car a fair bit, so will probably be asking for some more advice in the future

thanks for any help :)

cheers

Don't recall seeing any of the stock Magna headunits with 3.5mm inputs, which ones did you see this on?

If you are happy with the stock stereo, then you'd be happy with pretty much any aftermarket one. You can pickup a brandname headunit with 3.5mm jack for under $100 these days.

On my Sony headunit I never had a problem with the aerial raising with the CD player on (at least I don't remember it being up when the CD was playing :P)

If you buy a modern headunit you should have no trouble with the aerial.

It sounds like someone might have wired up their aerial to the remote wire which is meant to go to your amplifiers and puts a signal down the wire whenever the headunit comes on


Edit: Welcome to AMC by the way

Welcome to AMC,
it'll be far easier and cheaper to change the headunit to one with features your after rather than modifying the stock unit.

Don't recall seeing any of the stock Magna headunits with 3.5mm inputs, which ones did you see this on?

My TJ series 1 has it :)

Welcome to AMC!
My TJ (II) Sports came with a HU that had no Aux plug, and the CD player was uneconomic to repair....so I got a TJ (I) HU off E-Bay quite cheap - which had the Aux In - a WIN for me cos I am addicted to my IPod!! I too was surprised that they went from a single-cd + Aux unit in TJ (1) to "no Aux" in TJ (2).

The Factory HU you have MIGHT have a connection in the rear for a CD Changer - I THINK (but not entirely sure) that some folks have wired adaptors to use Cd-Changer socket as AUX-IN...... Problems: the connection for Cd Changers is NOT generic - different suppliers of HU tend to use their own plug..... getting a solder-up plug to suit a particular brand can be a challenge, then you need to have someone find out which pins do which.... and then hope that the presence of an audio signal on a certain pin(s) is all it takes to flip the HU into "changer mode" and accept audio thru the rear connector..... Short story: I wanna do it, but have never got there.

As stated, aftermarket HU's all have good features for not much money (playing MP3 discs is something I'd look for too - avoid using "real" CDs in the car - I once lost 30-40 CD's when car stolen and written-off). Maybe USB drives make this idea obsolete now.

Big Rant for me is how the aftermarket HU's poke out of the dash and looked "tacked-on" compared to factory units. Some VERY expensive HU's look much better, but I don't wanna spend much, nor tempt thieves (outdoor carpark at work, only a carport at home). However, install of aftermarket brands is quite simple if you buy the Aerpro wiring harness adaptors (google, or search forums for more info on these).

Search Forums and find details for the "Mitsi Clearance Centre" (also search as "Mitsubishi Clearance Centre") - they have certain audio gear form factory, very good value prices and the guy (Caine) is very friendly n helpful They have lots of stuff arriving this week, I'm hoping to order quite a bit when he's able to deal with my order (and non-stop questions).
He'll pack and meet couriers etc, but you need to organise the freight yourself. I hope to hear form Caine about what units they have, which handle MP3 files and also have 3.5mm Aux In.

Mate, its a walk in the park to install a Pioneer into a TW, but I did get some AerPro adapters, Magne to universal and Universal to pioneer. ( No Solder/return to stock Method ).
They'll finish off flush behind Console and even I gat a profesional looking install.
And I ran the amp wire from the H/U to the aerial and sunk in a switch as well.

Other brands may fit in as easily, but this I know from personal experience.

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/3c2/3c28b9f96d5072942433c7025b6b0010.jpg


http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0220.jpg

thanks a bunch for the replies everyone :)

now i'm feeling much more confident when getting a new head unit. i'm going to look at one today, i saw the SONY CDXGT270 on sale at jb, and that looks pretty good for only 109 bucks.


i was wondering, SHOOT, just how easy it was to install the player? i assume the console would have to be removed to get the stock player out? i saw a guide on these forums that explained how to get the 3rd generation magna's console out, looked a fair bit complicated

Easy Peasy, Ease (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0224.jpg) out the gear surround ( includes P/W controls and Cup holders), Prying (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0225.jpg) upwards all around and it comes off, the very front is the only bit that doesnt unclip. that slots in at the front, Disconnect (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0226.jpg) the Power window connection plug,
Apply hand brake, Chock if not on level ground, Place car in neutral and pull surround sliding to the rear of the car.
This is the hardest bit, removing the compartment above where the cup holders were. With the lid open place palms facing upwards Gripping (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0227.jpg) as well as you can manage (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0228.jpg) with both hands ( dont grab the door) and pull to rear of the car. This exposes (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0229.jpg) two screws to remove and the last panel prys (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0231.jpg) off. Disconnect (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0232.jpg) aircon controls, hazard lights and air temp sensor. And the bracket holding in the stereo is right before you, take (http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0232-1.jpg) care with the top screws, they require a metal clip to secure themselves and are like ly to jump off when reattaching. Tape them in place.....

Get the wiring diagrams and install.

Re-assembly is reverse.

Taking out the console should take 5 minutes tops.....

Now, previous post with Pics..........:)
and a better pic of my install
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/SH00T/IMG_0235.jpg

now i'm feeling much more confident when getting a new head unit. i'm going to look at one today, i saw the SONY CDXGT270 on sale at jb, and that looks pretty good for only 109 bucks.
Something to bare in mind (not knowing how important this is to you), is the cheaper Sony headunits (and I believe its the same for all entry level decks from everyone) don't have an auto dimmer control, so they are rather bright in the dark. Just something to bare in mind. Sony themselves list on their website if each deck features auto dimming or not.

As for the power antenna, if your chosen headunit does extend it all the time (as appose to just on radio) you only need install a simple on/off switch somewhere in the ant. rem. wire which goes from the headunit to the antenna motor. When the antenna receives a signal the Aeriel goes up, when it doesn't, it goes down, the switch will give you a manual control over this to an extent.

Something to bare in mind (not knowing how important this is to you), is the cheaper Sony headunits (and I believe its the same for all entry level decks from everyone) don't have an auto dimmer control, so they are rather bright in the dark. Just something to bare in mind. Sony themselves list on their website if each deck features auto dimming or not.

As for the power antenna, if your chosen headunit does extend it all the time (as appose to just on radio) you only need install a simple on/off switch somewhere in the ant. rem. wire which goes from the headunit to the antenna motor. When the antenna receives a signal the Aeriel goes up, when it doesn't, it goes down, the switch will give you a manual control over this to an extent.
My GF has one of these head units, they are fine - Just put them on "dim" via the menu and they are still bright enough to do anything you would like.

I got her front speakers and the HU (w/ remote) for $140.00 from JB.

Yes, have this one too, but paid $169 about 5 months ago (walks away muttering quietly about 40% price drops in 5 months).

Regards, Tony