05 OB Radio

[AJB]

i have an 05 Outback Wagon 2.5 with standard radio. i want to use my ipod in
the car, but the "radio" style fm transmitters don't work well at all.
i have access to an 07 Radio that has the ipod accessory input, unit from a
salvage yard .
Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the unit out? the dealer says no
due to wiring harness issues, but i wasn't really convinced they knew for
sure.
Any thoughts? thanks in advance.

 

[S]

Hi AJB!

i have an 05 Outback Wagon 2.5 with standard radio. i want to use my ipod in
the car, but the "radio" style fm transmitters don't work well at all.
i have access to an 07 Radio that has the ipod accessory input, unit from a
salvage yard .
Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the unit out? the dealer says no
due to wiring harness issues, but i wasn't really convinced they knew for
sure.
Any thoughts? thanks in advance.

FWIW, Subaru used the same stereo connector from about '95 thru '03 or
'04 anyway. All use a standard "DIN" mounting arrangement, so that
shouldn't be an issue, other than you may need to find or lose a
"pocket" if one or the other is a double-height unit.

Good bet the newer stereo will plug right in. Some models have a
factory subwoofer, but the presence or lack of this option shouldn't
affect the head unit, as it is on a separate plug. Also, there may be
some issues with the antenna; some models may use an in-glass antenna
with an external amplifier. Folks have reported having to juggle the
wiring a bit to get this to work with aftermarket heads, but I can't
imagine it being an issue if swapping in another factory unit.

When all is said and done, tho, your best bet will be to give it a
try. Usually the yard operator will let you test something like this
before committing to buy. If you pull your stock radio before you go
to the yard, it will be real easy. Does the plug match? If so, plug it
in. Does the radio work? Does the CD player? Left, right, front and
rear all in the right places? You're in business; pay da man ;-)

Write back and let us know what you find, if you wouldn't mind.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[Matt Richards]

i have an 05 Outback Wagon 2.5 with standard radio. i want to use my ipod in
the car, but the "radio" style fm transmitters don't work well at all.
i have access to an 07 Radio that has the ipod accessory input, unit from a
salvage yard .
Does anyone know if it is possible to swap the unit out? the dealer says no
due to wiring harness issues, but i wasn't really convinced they knew for
sure.
Any thoughts? thanks in advance.

If that doesn't work, try a Pioneer.

I had DEH-P5950IB installed in my MY01 Impreza, it has an ipod dock
connector - my wife loves it.

Matt.

 

[tcassette]

The wiring harness issue the dealer refers to is probably the connection
from the mini-stereo jack (where you plug in the ipod) to the back of the
radio. In the 07 and up models with the aux input to the radio, the jack is
inside the armrest storage space in the center console. I'm not sure what
the connector is like on the back of the radio.

The other issue to be aware of is the difference between the basic radio in
models with manual climate control, and the cd changer unit radio integrated
with the automatic climate control in other model trims. If you have the
basic model radio with manual climate controls, the step up version radio
probably won't work for various reasons, and vice versa.

 

[Randy Hamilton]

FWIW, the AUX jack on the 07s is just that, a jack, with inbound signal
only, no charging and no controls on the head unit. An IPod dock would
charge your IPod and allow you full control of the IPod from the tuner. Some
aftermarket heads give you that, then you can run the IPod adaptor from the
back of the head unit into your glovebox and leave your IPod in the closed
glovebox, out of sight and charging. If you are switching out anyway, you
might check into that. I have an 07 and I use the AUX, but I have to plug in
the IPod to AUX, plug in the charger(optional) and park the IPod where I can
get to it to change songs, etc. When I leave the car I have to undo that and
put the IPod away. I'm not complaining, I like having the jack there, but it
would be nice to go to the next level.