Bringing Your Mustang into the Digital Age
| 31 January 2009
Mustang radios have come a long way over the last 45 years. From the original Philco AM radios, to 8-tracks, to the addition of the FM band, then cassette tapes, to CD players and multi-CD changers, Sirius satellite radio, and coming soon to the 2010 Mustang the Ford/Microsoft Sync system, it’s clear factory audio systems have evolved and increased performance right in step with our favorite Pony car. And seemingly since the beginning, owners have been modifying their Mustangs to increase their performance and customizing their Mustangs to make their own unique statement. The audio system is a key area an owner can focus their attention (and their dollars!) to increase performance and make a statement.
One of the areas that automakers in general have been slow to adapt is with the integration of digital music technology into factory audio systems. Apple’s iPod, the world’s first, widely adopted portable media player has been available since 2001, and is now an indispensable accessory to millions of folks around the world. The device, which, among other things, plays digital media files called MP3s, has changed culture and the way people think about music and media in general. iPod’s have made music and media more accessible and has made people want to bring their music everywhere. iPod’s have made it possible to carry over 25,000 songs in your pocket (try doing that with CDs or cassettes!). There are now even devices available to connect your iPod to your home stereo, and to portable radios, further weaving these devices into the fabric of everyday life. And while it’s true that there have been devices to connect your iPod to your car stereo from the beginning, there have been few ways to elegantly and seamlessly integrate your iPod into your Mustang’s audio system until recently. Let’s take a look at some of the basic ways to bring your iPod along on the next roadtrip in your Pony and work our way up to full integration.
Perhaps the easiest way to connect your iPod to your car audio system is with a device called a modulator. This is a small battery-powered device that connects to your iPod’s headphone jack. Then you “tune” the modulator to a specific radio frequency and the modulator broadcasts music from yo
ur iPod through that same frequency on your radio. Depending upon the sophistication of the modulator, it may have only a few frequency choices or it may allow you to choose any frequency in the FM band (sorry to those with classic Mustangs still sporting an original AM radio - modulators won’t work on AM frequencies). Some modulators are able to plug into the 12V power port or cigarette lighter and keep your iPod charged, which is a nice feature on long road trips.
On the plus side, modulators are inexpensive ($15-$40 last time I priced them) and they don’t require any wiring connection to your Mustang, making them a good choice for original and concours Pony’s. However, there are drawbacks to modulators. First, for the modulator to work properly and provide the best sound it must be tuned to a FM frequency that isn’t in use. Modulators are very low wattage devices so it will be easily overpowered if you tune to a broadcast frequency. This can make modulators almost useless in large metro areas that have a lot of radio station
s, as it can be very difficult to find an open frequency without excessive static and interference which will affect sound quality. Even here in Charlotte I have found modulators to be challenging to use and achieve good, interference-free sound quality. And the whole point of digital music is to have the best sound quality. The other challenge with modulators is that you have to use the controls on your iPod to navigate menus and select songs which is an unsafe proposition while driving right up there with using a cell phone. It’s also important to note that modulators generally work with any MP3 player, not just iPods, so if you have a Zune or other brand of media player you shouldn’t have compatibility problems.
For those who still have cassette decks in their Pony’s there is another option. A cassette adapter is available that plugs your iPod or other MP3 player into your car's in-dash cassette player. The adapters don’t have the interference issues that modulators experience, but don’t expect digital 
quality sound either. This system is still subject to the sonic limitations of cassette technology so expect some hiss and loss of fidelity. Still it’s a readily available solution for around $20. You’ll also need a standalone 12V charger as this option has no provision to charge you iPod.
The next step up brings your iPod a bit more integrated into your car’s audio system. Harman/Kardon, a leader in high end home audio systems, developed a universal iPod integration device called the Drive N Play. The Drive N Play is a step up from FM modulators in that it provides a safer way to control your iPod while driving. The Drive N Play system includes a large LCD screen that mounts on the dashboard and provides a display of the information on your iPod screen plus a novel remote control that essentially replicates the control functionality on your iPod, making it intuitive to operate without taking your eyes off the road. The Drive N Play can integrate to your car’s audio sy
stem in a variety of ways. There is a built in FM modulator which works OK, but is subject to the same challenges and limitations of the plug-and-play devices listed above. The Drive N Play can also be directly connected to aftermarket stereo headunits via the 3.5mm plug or adapted to RCA plugs. This connection will provide high quality digital sound.
For connection to factory Ford head units, it gets a bit more complex. If you have a factory head unit with an AUX or SAT button, you can connect the Drive N Play directly but you’ll need an adapter harness and converter box. Precision Interface Electronics (P.I.E.) makes units that 
do the job, but they’ll add another $85-$100 to the cost of the Drive N Play. However, direct connection provides digital quality sound with no interference.
Installation is a bit complicated, but can typically handled in a couple our hours by anyone who’s ever installed an aftermarket radio before. The Drive N Play system probably isn’t the best choice for original or concours cars as proper installation requires drilling holes to run control wires and mount the LCD screen and the remote control. You’ll also need to splice the harness for power, ignition and ground connections for the Drive N Play control module (and the P.I.E. converter, if needed) and find space under the dash to mount these black boxes.
Once installed, you can store your iPod in the glovebox or center console and the Drive N Play will keep it charged while the ignition is on. On the LCD display you’ll see a very similar readout of the information on the iPod screen, but in bigger text so it’s easier to read at a glance while driving. The remote control has buttons that replicate the iPod’s functionality so you can navigate menus and choose songs quickly and easily.
It’s worth noting that there are two versions of the Drive N Play system: Drive N Play 1 features a monochrome LCD display and can be had these days for a bargain ($29 to $85 according to a quick internet search). Drive N Play 2 was released last year and includes a color LCD and wireless remote connectivity, among other upgrades. However, it is significantly more expensive ($399 !!) which considering a top of the line iPod classic is currently $249, the Drive N Play 2’s biggest drawback is its cost. The Drive N Play 1, however, is a heck of a deal (I paid $299 for mine in 2005) while they are still available.
The Drive N Play solution is good, particularly when it is directly connected to the car’s head unit, but it’s still not an integrated system because you don’t control the iPod through your radio. Ford has finally brought a solution that brings full iPod integration - TripTunes. We’ll explore this system’s functionality and a step by step installation next month. Stay TUNED…