I've got the 01 EX-L with 6 disc in dash CD changer, AM/FM and tape player. She has the 98 EX-L with in dash single CD and AM/FM. I'd like to trade with her. Here's why.

I want to plug my iPod into the factory system. On mine there's no way to run line in at all. FM modulation or tape adapter is the only way. Her's apparently has some type of interface for an external cassette player. I could tap that for the iPod. So by trading the two systems we both gain. She doesn't care about iPod or XM or anything and would probably like to have a 6 disc CD and tape. I really want a good input.

My concerns:
- how hard is it to swap. Seems like it would be pretty straightforward.
- would the head unit from the 98 deliver worse sound quality than the 01, or would they be about equal.
- will my steering wheel mounted control work with the 98 head unit in the 01

 

The only type of input that i know about is to hook up a cd-changer or tape player. The only adapter that i know about is to hook up a Alpine CD changer but there is nothin to hook up a AUX

 

there is an adapter that will work with BOTH decks, so there is no need to swap (If you were to swap it is a direct fit, easy, sound is about the same and the steering wheel controls will still work). www.autotoys.com has the adapter needed, it plugs into the back of either stereo (in the cd changer connector) and gives stereo RCA connectors. You select the input by hitting the CD button twice (or again if you're already playing a CD).

 

it's an extremely easy swap.

there's 2 screws towards the bottom of the wooden trim plate near the "2" and "5" buttons.

there's 1 screw behind the clock. you need to wiggle the clock out first to get to it.

tug on the trim plate to remove it. don't pull too hard because you need to disconnect the heating controls.

there's 4 screws that hold in the radio, 2 on the left, 2 on the right.

unplug the radio and the antenna, then swap.

i'm pretty sure that the radio controls should work considering both models are EX's. if there is a trunk mounted cd changer, then you will have problems. the 98-99's had 14 pins, the 00-02's had 8 pins on the cable.

the 98-99's radios were made by pioneer, the 00-02's are made by alpine.

 

The '00 stereos are very similar to the ones for the 98-99's. I'd know 'cuz I have one. The in-dash 6-disc changer is only for the 01-02's. :-( But I'm not too sure if you can easily swap it and have the stereo work. The harness and the interface may have changed. I've heard of people swapping these head units but never heard of a success story. People usually tend to just go aftermarket.

 

I have the same issue, but a little different. My wife has a new '04 Odyssey EXL. I drive a '01 Accord EX. Odyssey only has 1-CD in dash audio and Accord has 6-CD player. I want to give my 6-CD player to my wife. Is it possible to do that? Any advice?
Thanks,

 

I gave my friend (who has a 99 EX) my 6 disc in dash CD changer from my 02 EX since I bought a new head unit. It's a direct swap and is fairly easy to do. The 01-02 head units sound a little bit better than the 98-00 because the 01-02's deliver a bit more power. I forget how many watts each puts out though.. the difference in sound quality is slightly noticable. I'm not sure if your steering wheel mounted controls would work with the 98 head unit since I've never really heard of a 6 disc cd changer to 1 disc cd changer swap.

 

Is there a plug in the back of your deck for a cd changer? Maybe a blitzsafe adapter wll work. I am not sure if you can get an RCA ouput on the ipod though. The blitzsafe converts the RCA's into a plug that pops right into the cd changer plug. I use one in my TL-S to get sound for my DVD/navi conversion. Its plug and play with the deck, and my PS2 plugs right into it which in turn plugs into the stock deck. Pressing the CD button twice accesses the blitsafe source. Maybe it's an option for you?

 

so how easy was it?

 

This swap CAN be performed. The brackets on the sides of the radios may need to be swapped as well, not sure though. The radios have the same power/speaker connector on the back.