In a world where information and entertainment is instantaneous, looking around your truck for a CD is so pass. Today's generation of drivers want their music, videos, and pictures right now, not 3 minutes from now. This reason, and the fact that an iPod can hold an entire lifetime of music in a package smaller than a deck of cards, is why manufacturers have jumped head first onto the MP3 band wagon. Original equipment companies are offering factory-equipped head units with AUX inputs or plugs for any type of MP3 player. Apple hit a homerun with the iPod and for the purposes of the next three stories, we'll be looking at and comparing three of the most popular iPod interface devices.
For this article, we installed an iPod interface from USA Spec, a widely-used company in many audio shops across the country. Using an iPod interface will charge your iPod while listening and provide you with near CD-quality sound from the factory radio. We opted to install this interface in a SUV we thought you could relate to. Finding an '02 GMC Yukon was easy as it's one of the most popular SUVs on the planet. Another good reason to choose the GMC is that it shares an audio format with Chevy and Cadillac from '98 to'02. We know so many of you drive a truck or SUV that fits into this popular category and we also know many of you were wondering how to hook up an iPod to your factory radio without using one of those lousy FM modulators that sound worse than an 8-track. Here is the story you've been waiting on.
To order the USA Spec iPod interface, we clicked on Crutchfield.com and entered our truck's information. After answering the simple questions, the specific part number for our application popped right up and we placed our order. Crutchfield is an authorized dealer and with a tech department open 7 days a week, we felt confident in our purchase. The parts shipped fast and once our iPod interface arrived, we installed it in our driveway. Check out the photos below and if you want CD-quality sound from your iPod inside your truck or SUV, go to Crutchfield.com.
If this looks similar to your dash setup, odds are you're driving a '98-'02 GM truck or SUV and in this story, you'll see how easy it is to add an iPod interface in your ride. | 
The dash bezel simply pulls out and after some gentle prying, the entire piece was pulled free. |
Radios in these trucks and SUVs are installed with slide tabs. After depressing the tabs on each side, we simply pulled the unit out. | |