How do I bypass the factory radio completely so I can just listen through Bluetooth?

[gpw0911]

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This. They are less than $20 on amazon. I had a fm modulator in my 05 silverado. It plugged in-line to the antenna and I could plug an auxiliary cord into it. You changed the radio station to 88.3 or whatever and flipped the switch on the modulator and it came through clear as day. I've never used the cigarette lighter ones but its the same principal.

This isn't the one I had (I can't find it) but you could get these two things and it would work

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[Rickf]

I use a "blue tooth adapter for cars" from Amazon, (no affiliation).

 

[Ricko1966]

All these suggestions to use a modulator,some people don't even realize they are modulator. His truck most likely has an AM radio, I'd bet he knows about all the plug in the cigerette lighter adapters. To the best of my knowledge non of them work on AM they work on FM. If someone can find one for A M. That would be helpful.

 

[Sad Sack]

Going to an all-in-one amplifier with built-in Bluetooth is best option. Just pick out one for the number of channels and power range needed. The Lepai posted above is an excellent example but their are many kinds out there. Most are designated for marine use but easily adaptable for a car or truck.

Another example:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WR6ZX4I/

Just finding the one with best reviews may be a challenge though.

If you already have an amp then something with RCA outputs like this would work:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K1LLX5S/

 

[ByrdDog]

I used this guy in my 60 F250:

Amazon.com: DiGiYes Mini Bluetooth Amplifier Board, ZK-1002L 100W+100W 2 Channel BT 5.0 Stereo Audio Receiver Amplifier Board Digital Module Amp for Home Passive Speakers : Electronics

Buy DiGiYes Mini Bluetooth Amplifier Board, ZK-1002L 100W+100W 2 Channel BT 5.0 Stereo Audio Receiver Amplifier Board Digital Module Amp for Home Passive Speakers: Amplifiers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Cheap, easy, has a rotary volume control, 2 channel output. It drives 2 4x6's very well & I use my phone to control the music.

 

[83Stepper]

If you want to just bypass the original radio and don't want to cut up the dash, you can do like @Rustisbest mentioned and just use that bluetooth amp and wire in 2 speakers. Mind the fact that you'll only be getting 2 channels out of it like either fronts or just rears.

Or as @Ricko1966 mentioned, get a cheapo bluetooth unit and stash it somewhere out of sight and you'll get the full stereo sound. I've got the cheapest unit he posted, the Dual XD18BT, paid $19.97 for it at Wally World.

From personal experiences with that Dual XD18BT, I can tell you right now that the bluetooth output is a lot quieter than the radio, usb or any of the other inputs on that head unit. We're talking that I've got to run the volume up from 15 to 20-25 on it and I'm not happy with it. So I am currently shopping around for something with a better bluetooth amp built into it. Is it cheap and does it work? Yes, but I want something better than that and I'm shopping around on FB Marketplace. Plus I'm going to be building a special box to fit at least a 10" subwoofer with an amp rack to go behind the bench seat I installed earlier this year.

 

[YakkoWarner]

If you want to just bypass the original radio and don't want to cut up the dash, you can do like @Rustisbest mentioned and just use that bluetooth amp and wire in 2 speakers. Mind the fact that you'll only be getting 2 channels out of it like either fronts or just rears.

Or as @Ricko1966 mentioned, get a cheapo bluetooth unit and stash it somewhere out of sight and you'll get the full stereo sound. I've got the cheapest unit he posted, the Dual XD18BT, paid $19.97 for it at Wally World.

From personal experiences with that Dual XD18BT, I can tell you right now that the bluetooth output is a lot quieter than the radio, usb or any of the other inputs on that head unit. We're talking that I've got to run the volume up from 15 to 20-25 on it and I'm not happy with it. So I am currently shopping around for something with a better bluetooth amp built into it. Is it cheap and does it work? Yes, but I want something better than that and I'm shopping around on FB Marketplace. Plus I'm going to be building a special box to fit at least a 10" subwoofer with an amp rack to go behind the bench seat I installed earlier this year.

I have an older DUAL unit (predating Bluetooth) in the Suburban and have the same issue using the AUX in compared to the radio or built-in CD player. Even with a phone or iPod type device turned up to maximum the volume from the speakers is much less on the AUX than the radio. I tried adding a preamp on the AUX in, but it all that accomplished was overdriving the input stage into distortion. Good to know the Bluetooth units are the same way, I will probably look for a different brand.

That little 2 channel amp looks intriguiging (even though I can't spell it), but I'd like to be able to drive all 4 speakers. Unfortunately theres no way to send a Bluetooth stream to 2 different devices at the same time (while maintaining perfect sync) that I am aware of.

 

[ByrdDog]

If you do a little more Amazon searching, I'd bet you could find a similar device that has a 4 channel output...

 

[Sad Sack]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WR6ZX4I/

 

[kkgp81]

I had a shop install a receiver tied to the stereo system under the seat of a project a few back. It was essentially like a boat setup. You hooked to it with your phone and the volume and everything was on your phone.

 

[Grit dog]

I have an older DUAL unit (predating Bluetooth) in the Suburban and have the same issue using the AUX in compared to the radio or built-in CD player. Even with a phone or iPod type device turned up to maximum the volume from the speakers is much less on the AUX than the radio. I tried adding a preamp on the AUX in, but it all that accomplished was overdriving the input stage into distortion. Good to know the Bluetooth units are the same way, I will probably look for a different brand.

That little 2 channel amp looks intriguiging (even though I can't spell it), but I'd like to be able to drive all 4 speakers. Unfortunately theres no way to send a Bluetooth stream to 2 different devices at the same time (while maintaining perfect sync) that I am aware of.

Sound quality and power etc are generally commensurate with price.
And it all depends what you’re looking for. You can go cheap and for $100 or less have everything to make some noise from your phone but it’s not going to be “quality” sound.

 

[Rustisbest]

I get a good laugh whenever somebody gives an opinion on the quality of something they dont even own or something they haven't done. My old man calls it talking out of your a$$ lol

 

[Finkaire]

Plug and play no cutting, never look back. Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, make your list

 

[Ricko1966]

Plug and play no cutting, never look back. Black Friday and Christmas on the horizon, make your list

He already said he didn't want to buy that.

 

[Finkaire]

Sorry, his loss. Great system