Griffin

Sorry it took so long to get back ... but it's done. I finally found the time to rip my dash apart and check it out. There was no 13 pin connection in the back of the stock stereo. So I wired my 2003 Forester with a JVC powered modulator. Crutchfield support assisted me in tapping into the stock stereo's wiring. (Yellow with green stripe is hot, black with red stripe is ground). Sounds great, even north of Dallas toward Denton, and I'm using 88.3. The static (that faded in and out on the Griffin iTrip) is GONE. Bonus, I can use the volume control on the iPod. Couldn't do that with the iTrip. To keep it clean, I purchased a 3.5mm female-to-female jack adapter ($5 at Radio Shack) and JB welded it into one of the blank switch plates next to the emergency brake. The modulator's cable plugs in the bottom and snakes under the center console to the glove box where the FM modulator is accessable but out of the way. Now I just use a Zip Linq 3.5 mm male-to-male retractable cable ($15 at Micro Center) to connect to the hole in the console and the iPod. The iPod sits in the cup holder, in a Belkin TuneDoc. While I had everything torn apart, I spliced a cigarette lighter adapter in under the dash. I'm in the process of JB Welding a female-to-female firewire adapter into the other blank switch plate. (OK, maybe this is a bit excessive). Tiny rubber grommets surround all holes for a smooth, finished look. When the power outlet is finished, I'll post some pictures if anyone's interested.

Ah, my iTrip starts at 88.1, a Denton station with enough power to cause static. I got my iTrip the day it came out. They must have added 87.9 later on. 88.3 and 99.9 work best for me. But both have random bursts of static in the 14 miles to and from work. Since I can't lower my antenna (built into the glass) I'm going to try the hard-wired JVC FM modulator (model KS-IF200, $50 from Crutchfield) which is "supposed" to improve reception over the iTrip. I'm attempting the install this weekend. I'll post install pics and details if it works out.

Yea. Subaru dealer said there's no aux jack option for the Subaru. So did Crutchfield. But "irmiger" @ Scoobymods.com detailed a Aux input solution for his 2004 Subaru Forester XT. It's a home made adapter that he says is easy to build. But then again, he's a mechanic. If the wired FM modulator doesn't work, I'll probably attempt it. I drive from Dallas to West Texas about once a month. Gotta bring tunes for that 8 hour drag of a drive. Not a lot of choices in Amarillo, Odessa, or Pecos.

Thanks for the quick responses. Forgot to mention, CD only, no cassette in my Forester or I would go with the cassette adapter. So it's FM modulator or after-market unit with an aux port. But the wife likes the weather channel feature of the stock unit and thieves tend to stay away from the stock units so I'll go with a wired FM modulator for now. Crutchfield says it should overpower the signal better than my current wireless iTrip solution. Stay tuned. I love this vehicle! I've had it just over a year and have driven it 47,000 miles with no problems. A blast to drive around the curvy west Texas mountains and the Big Bend. It's just like the sales guy said ... "Sporty & luxurious".

Hi. In searching for a way to play an iPod through the stock radio of my 2003 Forester 2.5X, I found this site. Outstanding source of info for all things Subaru! But, unless I missed it, no answer for me. I've tried FM modulators but Dallas is such a FM flooded town ... no unused channels. I notice there's a Aux/CD changer button on my stock radio. I do not have the changer. I asked the dealer and Crutchfield if a simple cable existed that would plug directly from an Aux port on the back of the radio to the iPod. Both suggested the FM mod. Can someone save me the effort of pulling the factory radio to check for a round 13pin mini-din input? I found instructions on scoobymods.com from a subaru owner that fashioned his own cable that I would be willing to try. Looking forward to talking with you all.