Connecting IPod Classic to Truck?

[chriserx]

I'm plugged into the ports under the screen (Pro/12-inch). I'm using the USB-A port. I'm not sure I've ever tried the USB-C connection; might give that a try.

I understand that the ports buried in the console are charging-only, like the ones in the frunk.

Yeah, I still have an 11 with the lightning port. When I roadtrip with friends and let them be DJ I usually have to swap out the cable with the USB C one.

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[chl]

I’ve done the search and can’t find anything here. Is it possible to connect an IPod Classic to the truck via USB? Plugging into the USB port next to the wireless charging pad does nothing. Anyone else had success here? Can’t connect device under the “Media”app, as nothing shows available to add.

Unfortunately the Lightning data USB port will not natively read the iPods. I have one as well as a couple of Zunes.

I have an old iTrip FM transmitter that I can use (plug into the earphone jack of my iPod) by tuning to an unused FM channel - they still make some of these. Or you can look on eBay for some of the one made to connect to the Apple charging port and will charge the iPod at the same time.

There was one made by Monster Cable, the Apple iCarplay wireless 800 - I just ordered one from eBay to try it out, under $10.

My iPod and Zunes have BlueTooth but it is problematic in the Lightning - so many dropouts and disconnects it is unusable with these devices.

To minimize my wire tangle, I put all my music on an 500GB SSD in an adapter for USB use, but you could use a thumb drive as others have suggested.

HOWEVER!!! It must be formatted in exFAT first or the Lightning will NOT read it.

 

[chl]

PS: an example of an SSD case for USB use ($12 on Amazon):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NF6JQQ4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

 

[chl]

An example of the iCar 800 by Monster Cable on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/306378317899

 

[chl]

Yes, Fords USED to be able to plug and play mp3 players but eliminated that support.

Probably some back room deal with the streaming services and/or Apple so you will buy a $1000+ iPhone just to stream music - f-that!

 

[B177y]

Thank you for all of that. I’ll have to see if I can do the Disk Mode or not.

I just remembered that the thumb drive/disk that plugs in to the USB's under the screen in the center cubby need to be formatted in exFAT IIRC (check the manual for specs, it's either FAT or exFAT). I believe even if you can do "disk mode" on your iPod, Apple uses HFS or something like that, so the iPod might never work unless you can reformat it.

EDIT:
I should have refreshed the page, looks like @chl already answered what I posted.

 

[chl]

Update on the Monster Cable 800 for Pod:

Well, it arrived in the mail today from eBay, new in package.

My iTrip device can go down into the frequencies below 88.1 FM but the MC800 apparently can't.
My iTrip works great at 97.7 FM.

I had trouble finding a 'free' FM station above 88.1 FM in my area after a couple of tries using my garaged Nissan Leaf.

I am going to try again tomorrow outdoors with the Lightning - might be even worse.

So this MC800 may not be a good choice to solve the issue depending on the FM stations congestion in your area.

I never tried "disk mode" on the iPod, have to look into that too.

There is some wire spaghetti with the iTrip, power cords for it and the iPod, plus the aux cord, but it works well.

 

[chl]

Yeah, I still have an 11 with the lightning port. When I roadtrip with friends and let them be DJ I usually have to swap out the cable with the USB C one.

One of them is data, a USB-A, but in an update to SYNC4 that disabled mp3 player support, thanks a bundle Ford.

 

[chl]

Agree, headphone jack to Bluetooth transmitter will be the simplest option.

You'd think, but there have been many many reports of issue streaming music with the bluetooth in the Lightnings - drop outs, and disconnects, that's what I found with it.

Maybe they have updated it OTA since then, as someone some where on some forum mentioned, but I haven't tried recently.

 

[chriserx]

One of them is data, a USB-A, but in an update to SYNC4 that disabled mp3 player support, thanks a bundle Ford.

Both the ports by the headunit support carplay, but are you saying only the USB A is the only one that supports a drive? I guess my main annoyance is that in such a high tech vehicle they made a decision to even put USB A at all. I want 2 wired carplay devices AND high speed charging dammit. I know, first world problems....

 

[B177y]

Both the ports by the headunit support carplay, but are you saying only the USB A is the only one that supports a drive? I guess my main annoyance is that in such a high tech vehicle they made a decision to even put USB A at all. I want 2 wired carplay devices AND high speed charging dammit. I know, first world problems....

I think they both support a drive if it's in the proper format.

Maybe the next version of the Lightning will have fast charging

 

[FloridaMan655321]

2) In my Lightning, my iPhone 16 Pro ONLY connects to CarPlay wirelessly; I can plug it in via USB to charge, but it doesn't recognize wired CarPlay as an option. To be clear, I use a data-rated cable to connect the iPhone to the truck, but it doesn't make a difference.

I’ve only used the wired CarPlay, though my phone is a 15 Pro. I’m using the USB-C port. My work truck only has USB-A(or B, whatever) and it seems the bandwidth isn’t enough to stream so I never tried the one on the Lightning. I’m also using a 3rd party cable from Amazon.

 

[ctuan13]

Thank you for all of that. I’ll have to see if I can do the Disk Mode or not.

Depending on what gen your iPod is, the procedure varies, but you can put the iPod into disk mode just using the click wheel/buttons. If it's a 5th, 5.5, 6th or 7th gen (iPod Video or iPod Classic), you can put it into disc mode by shutting it off and then pressing and holding the center select button and "play/pause" button, until it displays disk mode. I'm not sure if this'll allow it to work with the truck as I'm fairly certain iPod compatibility was removed from everything after Sync 3, but it's worth a shot.

If you decide to just go with a bluetooth adapter, this is one of the best ones, I've used this one with my iPod 5.5 gen and although I don't use airpods, if you do use them, it's compatible with them as well: https://amzn.to/4becXS1

 

[chl]

Both the ports by the headunit support carplay, but are you saying only the USB A is the only one that supports a drive? I guess my main annoyance is that in such a high tech vehicle they made a decision to even put USB A at all. I want 2 wired carplay devices AND high speed charging dammit. I know, first world problems....

I vaguely remember something about one being charge only when I bought my 2023 Pro in Jan 2024, but it might be the one in the center storage compartment?

Anyway, the SSD case I had, as well as my thumb drives are USB-A so I know that works, did not try the USB-C port but if it is a data port it should work.

I bought a whole set of USB-A to USB-C adapters for my daughter when she got her Subaru in 2023 so she could plug in the iPhone, the 2023 Subaru only had USB-A.

It yearned for a USB-c

I have gathered so many adapters over the years it is ridiculous!

Just recently had to get an active PS/2 to USB cable adapter for my laptop so I could use an old full sized keyboard with it - TurboTax will no longer run on WIN 10 and only my ultra thin ultra light laptop is Win 11, but the keyboard is too small for my hands to avoid typos.

My desk is too small to put yet another keyboard on it or the laptop, so I just switch my desktop PC keyboard between it and the laptop - also switch the USB mouse and HDMI monitor, and hide the laptop behind it all.

Always something...

 

[Heliian]

decision to even put USB A at all.

USB c to USB c has only become popular in the last couple years, I don't even own one. Usb A is just too common to ignore. I agree, usb c is the way! My android phone from 2019 has it.

have fast charging

My Lariat has super fast charging, I just have to plug in my block to the dash mounted 110v receptacle.

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