Update to USB-C Ideas? (Jeep Wrangler)

[Ubiety]

In a bit of a quandry - instead of updating my 2017 Wrangler's non-touch-screen head unit to a touch screen I bought an iPad Pro for navigation and to serve up music to the head unit. This is not going as smoothly as I had hoped for... The center console allows me to stream music from the iPad but does not provide enough current to charge. Next option is to buy a compatible cigarette lighter charging adapter and use Bluetooth to stream. This morning I was able to pair the iPad to the head unit but found that Bluetooth streaming would not work :( I guess I could charge with a cig lighter adapter (and not stream) and then connect to the center console USB to stream (and not charge). I need to look into a few things that might fix the Bluetooth issue but that would not be my first choice. Was hoping to find a "USB-C upgrad kit" for the center console but am not finding anything.

Anybody have some wisdom to offer?

Thanks!

 

[94Cruiser]

So you could replace the head......

Or.....Kinda pricey but this might work....

Android Car Stereo for Jeep Wrangler 2011-2018 – GTA Car Kits

www.gtacarkits.com

 

[Ubiety]

So you could replace the head......

Or.....Kinda pricey but this might work....

Android Car Stereo for Jeep Wrangler 2011-2018 – GTA Car Kits

www.gtacarkits.com

After buying the iPad for this purpose that will not fly with the wife :)

 

[94Cruiser]

[emoji23]

 

[94Cruiser]

I say headphone jack and input

 

[Ubiety]

I say headphone jack and input

I know that the lightning connector devices can break headphone out of the lightning connector (no headphone jack on my device). Will see if there is similar USB-C doo-dad that does the same. Thanks!
The reason that I would rather go with the console USB is that it should allow for control of the iPad from the head unit and steering wheel controls. Hmmm, maybe I'll homebrew something ;)

 

[Ubiety]

Update, have a solution... Read a bit on the internet and found others were having same issue and a possible fix that worked for me (Bluetooth issue). After getting Bluetooth working I went ahead and ordered an Anker regular usb + usb c cigarette lighter power adapter and some new usb c cables for the Jeep. Found a three pack of cables in different lengths so I have a long one (10 ft) for the house and shorter one (3ft) for the Jeep. Just need Ram to start shipping their iPad Pro 11 roller holder (have one for iPad 2 and like it). Not sure if Bluetooth will allow iPad control from Jeep head unit/steering wheel like direct usb connection but that is not a deal breaker.

If you are able to pair but having some issue with Bluetooth playback try this. Unpair your device from the head unit - in my case I had new and old iPads paired so removed both. Then re-pair the device and the head unit. Upon pairing the iPad will ask if you want to sync contacts, etc., with the head unit - the correct answer is “Don’t Allow”. After doing the pair in this manner I was able to stream music successfully. Still need to see if I get iPad control but it was late and I was tired and happy to have tunes!

for what it is worth I spoke with a true Apple fanboy buddy of mine and he told me that when iPad says “Not Charging” when connected to low power charger it is often charging, but very slowly.

 

[SoCalGX]

Not 100% sure it would work, but you might try a splitter like this one for charging from lighter plus connecting to head unit:

USB C Splitter, HiMusic 2 in 1 USB Type C Male to USB C Audio&Charging Converter Adapter and Stereo USB C Earphone Dongle Compatible with Google Pixel 3/3 XL, Huawei Mate 20 Pro and More(White)

 

[Ubiety]

Not 100% sure it would work, but you might try a splitter like this one for charging from lighter plus connecting to head unit:

USB C Splitter, HiMusic 2 in 1 USB Type C Male to USB C Audio&Charging Converter Adapter and Stereo USB C Earphone Dongle Compatible with Google Pixel 3/3 XL, Huawei Mate 20 Pro and More(White)

Thanks! Will check it out. For now Bluetooth is working! Have to run errand in a bit and will try tunes + Gaia GPS out on the drive.

 

[Ubiety]

Bluetooth tunes and steering wheel control of iPad music works! Kind of slow response to change tracks but works!