Installing the USA SPEC PA15TOY in an 2007 Camry

There's nothing like listening to your iPod in your car.  CD changers, MP3 CDs, Sirius/XM, etc. pale in comparison to the freedom and control you have using an iPod.  The problem is, there are only a few ways to connect your iPod to your car stereo.  Perhaps the most popular method is using an fm transmitter.  Unfortunately the quality is awful at best.  The second option, found in newer cars, is using the AUX input on the head unit.  While the sound quality isn't bad, this method offers no control.

There's nothing like listening to your iPod in your car.  CD changers, MP3 CDs, Sirius/XM, etc. pale in comparison to the freedom and control you have using an iPod.  The problem is, there are only a few ways to connect your iPod to your car stereo.  Perhaps the most popular method is using an fm transmitter.  Unfortunately the quality is awful at best.  The second option, found in newer cars, is using the AUX input on the head unit.  While the sound quality isn't bad, this method offers no control.  For me, the most satisfying method is using an iPod to stereo interface device like the USA Spec PA15TOY.  There are a few good reasons to consider an interface.

• Better sound quality
• Charges your iPod
• Controls your iPod through the stereo

The only caveat is that it has to be installed.  The good news is that anyone with a screw driver can do it.  Here is a detailed description of my experience installing the PA15TOY in my 2007 Camry.

1. Remove the two panels on either side of the accessory compartment.

2. Unscrew the shift knob then lift up the center console starting from the back and remove the console.

     (remove the accessory power cable from its harness)

3. Remove two philips head screws from either side of the accessory compartment and remove the accessory compartment.

     (remove the accessory power cable and the auxiliary cable from their harnesses)

4. Carefully remove the air conditioning faceplate by prying it loose starting from the top corners.

     (remove the cable from its harness)

5. Remove four 10mm screws from above and below the head unit.  Then pull out the unit.

     (remove the cables from their harnesses)

6. Attach the Y cable that came with the PA15TOY to the CD changer port on the back of the head unit.

     (If you have a CD changer plug it into the Y cable )

7. Run the long cable that came with the PA15TOY so that the DIN connector is in a convenient location for the PA15TOY device.

8. Remove the plastic plug, located on the right-hand side of the accessory compartment.

9. Run the iPod cable that came with the PA15TOY through the hole in the accessory compartment to the PA15TOY device.

10. Reconnect the wiring harnesses to the head unit.

11. Reinstall the head unit, the AC faceplate, the accessory compartment, and the center console.

12. Turn on the stereo, plug in your iPod/iPhone and enjoy! 

Hope you found this article useful.