Using an iPhone as a head unit

[SD455]

Hey all, looking for solutions to give my wife bluetooth and hands free calling in her 70 Lemans wagon without losing the stock radio. I have seen a few small bluetooth amps and receivers like this one from JL audio https://www.jlaudio.com/products/mbt-rx-marine-audio-bluetooth-receiver-91126 but would like to set up and old phone or iPad for her so its easy to control and also let her easily take and make calls with Siri.

I will come right out and say that while I am good at wiring, I am not great at technology so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!175025

[vette427-sbc]

If youre planning to hardwire or leave the iphone/ipad in the car, you wont be able to take or make phone calls with the phone unless it has a sim card (its own phone number, ie: service plan)

If youre planning to use her existing phone and just connect when you get in the car, that bluetooth receiver does not have a microphone so Im not sure if you can configure the phone to use its own mic and output sound over BT. I would guess no. Im installing that same JL piece in a car right now (for music only) so Ill be able to confirm this in a few days.

If you want simple hands free, just get a regular radio from Pioneer or similar and hide it somewhere. Cheaper and more seamless than a BT adapter, level control and amplifier install

[Tsaints1115]

Your wife called and said to sell me her wagon.

[CapSS92]

Here's a thread that might help.

Alex

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/130357-Bluetooth-receiver-Recomendation

[slimjim]

I understand you want to keep the originality of the dash, but what about installing an apple carplay headhunt say, inside the glovebox. Although they're double din, they're very shallow but will give you access to almost anything you'd want from your iPhone in the car and will operate seamlessly. It will also bluetooth to your phone immediately upon getting inside.

[SD455]

I understand you want to keep the originality of the dash, but what about installing an apple carplay headhunt say, inside the glovebox. Although they're double din, they're very shallow but will give you access to almost anything you'd want from your iPhone in the car and will operate seamlessly. It will also bluetooth to your phone immediately upon getting inside.

Thats definitely worth considering. I will have a look into them.

I also like the option of using a modified original from https://www.joesclassiccarradio.com/addons.html#mid or https://www.radiosforoldcars.com. It looks like they are both pricey options, but sounds like they both function like OEM and would give her all the functions including voice control. Can anyone comment on one VS the other, or are they all using the same hardware?