69 Dodge Dart stereo challenge

I have a 69 Dodge Dart with a thumbwheel AM radio. Due to the nature of this radio I cannot install a normal radio into the dash without extensive surgery. With that said I want to use an Ipod or the new Creative Zem MP3 player with FM tuner, I thought about using an FM modulator but, The AM/FM version of this radio is made of unobtanium so that is not an option.

My thought is to use the headphone output from this device and convert to RCA plugs and plug directly into an amp and use the Zen or Ipod as the control head. Will this work properly? The Zen holds 8000 songs and has an FM tuner so it could serve as the tuner, volume control and music source. The added advantage of keeping the stock AM radio in place is the stealth aspect, this is a convertible and therefore an easy targe for a high dollar stereo.

I hope I have given enough information and I value your opinions, anyone local here in Phoenix that can shed some light would be great.

Vic in Phoenix

I don't know and can't find anything on line. I'm guessing its a standard (if there is such a thing) 1/8 headphone jack.

My biggest problem is I haven't bought the Zen yet and don't want to spend the money unless I am pretty well assured it will work. I don't even have the system in the car yet either. I guess i could just temp hook it to a battery and test it that way?

I could use my GF Ipod to test the theory I guess, is there any possibility of damage to the Ipod if something doesn't work?

kirktcashalini; Is this what you are referring to? https://www.electronixwarehouse.com/car/accessories/remotes.htm#turbo1 it's the 2nd item on the list.

So in my initial test of this I will hook up the Ipod or Zen to the amp with a 1/8 to RCA adapter, temp power up the amp with speakers hooked up. Turn the gain down on the amp and adjust the volume on the Ipod to 3/4 or so and adjust the gain to just under distortion. Test the volume control of the Ipod if its too sensitive buy an RCA volume control? I will probably need a amp power control or just wire it to an ignition on source so its on with the key?

If it's this simple I will kick myself for not doing that before the road trip from Michigan with only a boombox.

I have the 5mb Creative Zen hooked into my pioneer deh-4700mp through the IP Bus.  It works great.  With the volume at max on the mp3 player the volume is the same as when playing a cd.  There is no noticeable distortion, either.  It works great, IMHO

I love the mp3 player.  The touch buttons are semi-hard to use while driving though.

Well I hooked up an Ipod to an amp I have in another car and it worked, the volume worked just fine, I guess I will need some form of eq to adjust the sound a bit. The only problem I see is the volume got loud, but not as loud as with the actual head unit. Will an RCA volume control fix this?

I have a Concord 100x4 amp with 5 1/4 mids and seperate tweeters up front and 5 1/4 rears ( all Cerwin Vega). The volume just doesn't seem to be all that loud before I start to clip the speakers. Is this a classic case of me needing a sub? I obviously know just enough to be dangerous and would like to learn a bit more with some experimentation.

I don't need to win awards or break glass, but I do like to feel my music.

Thanks so far for all the help

The next round will be how to put rear spearkers in a convertible that never had rear speakers...

Vic in Phoenix

have you considered installing a head unit that is capable of having a remote control and an AUX input that you can stash in your glove box? We do it on a lot of frame ups and street rods. Oh and I am in Tempe, @ Sounds Good to Me at 480-968-8543 ask for me and I can walk you thru a slew of options for your dart. Dude i hope it has good a/c?

   mark @ Sounds Good to Me

The JL Audio Cleansweep is another device that might be better suited to this application, nothing wrong with the Audio Control device either, it will allow you some good flexibility as well. The only issue I have with it is that you would need to rewire the volume and sub pots and mount them somewhere up front where you can have access to them instead of leaving them on the unit and buried who knows where in the car where it may be out of reach.

www.jlaudio.com