VH-Honda-Fan said:
I've read numerous threads on this and the majority of responses involve limiting the functionality of the stock HU and/or control, splicing wires or having a unit (iPod, port. XM radio, etc.) hanging around with wires strewn all across the interior. i don't know about the rest of you but I'm not about to start cutting into the wiring harness of my $30k+ RTL over a frigging auxiliary input OR have it look like some old junker with wires all over the place.
It's hard to believe that Honda has not addressed this as it has been a concern since day 1. The only suitable solution which I have found (but have not yet had delivered) is the USA Spec PA11-Hon2Y. According to the guys at Crutchfield, this is a pass-thru unit which mounts in the glove box, keeps XM, cd, steering wheel controls functional and allows you to connect an iPod OR a non-iPod mp3 player. No splicing, no FM modulation.
This is a very old thread. There are many newer more applicable threads that deal with this issue.
You may personally minimize the importance of a "frigging" aux input, but to me it is THE MOST IMPORTANT modification to a non-nav Ridgeline, mainly because it was the biggest oversight by Honda in the interior.
Although Honda still has cavemen running it's electronics division, there are multiple aftermarket solutions that require no splicing and won't leave your truck "looking like a junker."
I think the best (but not perfect) solution right now for Ridgelines WITH XM WITH Sunroof WITHOUT NAV is the P.I.E. X3 with a Honda harness. It gives you THREE switchable AUX inputs and preserves XM function, and does essentially what was presented manually in the Acura Forum linked by BamaRidge.
Read about this device here:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/piex3auxconv.html
Note that if you have a different version of the Ridgeline you SHOULD NOT use this solution.
The headunit relies on an "I'm Here" signal from the XM tuner (behind the back seat) to allow the AUX input audio to function. You don't need a subscription to XM, you just need to leave the tuner in the truck and leave it connected for the X3 to work.
Again, if you don't have this specific model of Ridgeline this IS NOT the best solution.