[Windschief]

Hello,
just got this 06 Tribeca and being a Tekki I miss USB & Bluetooth. Fm transmitter works alright but then I came across this gadget:
Grom Audio USB3 (SUB08U3)
Says it plugs into the CD-Changer slot in the back of the stereo. This would show everything on the system screen too.
Has anybody used such a thing? and how hard would it be to get to the back of the radio unit?
cheers

 

[darnallb]

Pretty detailed video on getting to the guts of the console

This video shows how to remove all the trim and console pieces to get to the main radio control box. I would think from there it would be simple to get to the back of the CD component. Good luck and let us know how it goes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRyHv5dI9QE

 

[Windschief]

thank you, that looks simple enough. If anybody has something like it installed let us know how it works and if it is much better than just an FM transmitter (like sound quality and ease of use)
cheers

 

[81vwcountry]

I would like some info on this also if someone has installed this and how well it worked. If I go this route I would be purchasing the Grom unit for SAT and also purchase the HD FM tuner that way while you are listening to the radio and your phone rings it will alert you through the factory radio and you can answer without switching inputs. without FM HD adapter if you are listening to regular FM and a call comes in you will hear it through your phone only then you need to hit SAT or CD on your factory radio to hear it through the cars speakers.

 

[NatetheSkate]

I have used a GROM is 3 cars. A 1995 Volvo 960, 2002 Chevy Suburban and 2005 Volvo XC90, with great success. As with anything, there is a learning curve, but the sound is FAR superior to those crappy FM things. Streaming bluetooth and ipod worked flawlessly. Call quality was lacking but I think that has more to do with microphone placement than the unit itself as it worked pretty good when the car was parked. There were times when it would lose connection and I'd need to reconnect, but these were few. It isn't perfect but a solid 8.5 / 10. Their customer service is amazing too. Sometimes you will need to flash the unit with new firmware for it to function but they send you the flash and walk you through it. I will say, though, I just bought one for my daughter's1998 Toyota Avalon that we have not been able to get functioning. We are trying to determine if it is the GROM or the actual stereo.

 

[thefro]

So the 2006 was the only model that didn't have an Aux input. Someone put together some instructions on how to add one but it won't show any information on the screen. I use one of those bluetooth aux things for handfree calling and music. It's not ideal but it's easier than what you're proposing.

 

[Windschief]

Grom Audio is a no go :-(

So finally ordered a Grom USB, had it shipped to Belize and paid customs, put it in, which was easy with the help of the video, BUT it doesn't work.
Found out from customer support that the Tribeca with SatNav is not supported. Well they take it back for a refund but the shipping to and from here plus the duty I paid is gone

 

[Turtles_ride]

I bought one of the $17 units off ebay, a little square-ish unit that has a USB-plugin for power and a headphone jack to plug into the aux-in in my console arm rest. I love it. When the car radio is in auxilary/rse i have to keep the volume between 35-40 to hear when answering a phone call, music comes through bluetooth from my iphone 6s nice and clear and loud, and the forward and reverse work to flip through songs. Nobody has complained they can't hear me when I'm talking on the phone. The other nice thing is that if I switch back to FM or CD on the radio, the volume adjusts automatically to whatever volume I was listening to before (it doesn't stay at the 35-40 I need to have it set at for the phone call). I would go this route again if I had to, super easy, and I can take it with me to my next vehicle very easily if I need to.

 

[Windschief]

Sadly I have one of the few models without the aux-in. So apparently there is no way I can add USB/Bluetooth other than with an FM transmitter (which sounds like crap). Back to (mp3-)CDs LOL
The Grom would have been nice since it emulates a CD changer so everything would be on the screen and the car´s search/skip buttons would work with it, unlike on an FM transmitter which is a pita to work with (change folders, look for a track, switch to Bluetooth etc.)
Well, it is a great idea and was a good try. If you wanna try it, make sure your stereo is supported...

 

[avk]

Adding auxiliary input to 2006 model has been covered pretty well, and you would be accessing audio unit wire connections anyway.

 

[Windschief]

Also my Aux is taken by the RearSeatEntertainment, don't know how that would affect it. Anyway, looking for vids about adding aux I came about somebody who took out the SatNav and put a DVB TV Tuner wt USB instead - well he didnt show how, just braggin about having it lol
but that would be another option I guess since my SatNav is useless in Central America anyway(or are there maps?)

 

[Windschief]

Last option - wouldn't it be possible to exchange the whole stereo with one that has USB ? (e.g. from a scrap yard)

 

[Windschief]

Hello everybody! Wondering if there are any news on the tech front on upgrading an ´06 that doesn´t have anything but a (mp3-)CD player. The question is still standing if it would work to get a unit out of a ´07 or ´08 with USB+Aux from a scrap yard and simply swap?
Another option I came across would be replacing the system screen with a short body android unit, just connect power and feed the sound into the aux of the original unit. Any other news or tips & tricks outthere?

 

[Turtles_ride]

I haven't seen any threads of anyone swapping out the old '06 headunit for a newer style >07 one. I have read that airbag control, temperature control, and other important functions all run through the headunit so you may not want to mess too much with it. Anyone that has replaced their headunit with an aftermarket one has had to relocate the old one further into their dash (I guess there's room), to not mess with the functions, and then connected the new unit and dropped it in the dash with a bunch of bondo and fiberglass to make it look good. I think your best bet is to follow the thread on making an aux input work with your current stereo, and then using that for a direct connection to your bluetooth phone system. If you can find a newer tribeca at the scrapyard, it would be worth a shot to try switching out the headunits tho, if thats the only issue you have with the vehicle...

 

[06b9beca]

I am wondering about this as well. I don't want to add an Aux port. Too lazy. FM transmitters of any type always have the person on the other end complaining that I sound far away.

If I am too lazy to add an Aux port but want to be able to place phone calls through the factory radio and be able to play mp3 through the radio. Is Grom for me? If so, which model?

I used to be a stereo installer and repair technician but really burnt out with it. I want to keep things as simple as possible and really want plug and play even if I have to pay more.

I have a non-nav Tribeca and there is an "Aux-RSE" button on the radio if that helps.

I could have cared less about any of the handsfree portion until this State made holding a phone while driving illegal.