Hey guys I was wanting to know how hard you think it would be to put a new radio in this thing. I think I have premium sound so I would have to bypass the amp. I was going to look for a cd changer since it had the wires already ran to the back, but I heard they are really expensive for the kind I need. This car is in really good condition, so I didn't want to mess it up by taking it apart, but I can't stand not listening to my music. I have done a few installs, but nothing were the car already had an amp. I can't really figure out how to get the dash off, so I was wondering if you guys think I should take it to a pro or not.
Replies (9)
swez on 02/21/2004 09:33:06
Do you like the basic features and sound of the stock HU now?
Does it have a CD button on the face? If yes, there is an install kit for a 6 changer that you can easily mount in the trunk. The dealer cost for the changer is rediculous... but you can get an aftermarket kit for about $300.00 and install that with ease.
To remove the stock HU, you have to get a special tool for these. There are 4 holes in the end corners of the HU where these "U" shaped pins fit. Wal-Mart or any good auto parts store will carry this tool for under $5.00. Makes removal a snap!
Finally, if you do yank the HU and replace with aftermarket, let "ttocs" give you some recommendations on how to handle the amping system.
Swez
audionewb on 02/22/2004 08:41:24
The stock HU is alright. The thing I guess that I'm worried about is that the stock speakers won't sound as good if I take them off the amp that they're running off of.
The radio has a cd button, and the wires are already ran to the back of the car. I actually took it to Circuit City and they said with the kinda clip I had it would be very expensive to get a new cd changer for it. I've seen other Ford cd changer clips and mine seems to look differently then those. Theres is more squarish.
The uninstall sounds ez then. One question I had though was that I have a smaller deck then what that huge factory deck is now, and I'm wondering how I can fill in the extra space. Should I buy a mounting kit or something?
Yeah hopefully ttocs will reply and maybe he will know where the amp is and everything. It's probably behind the deck. Where do they have the pin at in Wal-Mart? The car audio section?
swez on 02/22/2004 09:40:40
Yes, the removal holes are square. The pins I mentioned are "U" shaped with a small bulb at each end of the "U". Insert the clips, one per side and push them in til you feel a click. Then, spread the clips sideways, away from the center of the HU and gently pull the stock HU out. There are usually 2 harnesses in the cavity to disconnect and the radio is now ready to remove.
As for your amps, ttocks will know more about this phase as he is a Pro installer. Am sure he will have a few options for you on what can be done to successfully install an aftermarket HU if you so desire.
Single Din HU's require a faceplate mounting kit and you can get these at Wal-Mart, CC, BB or online at Crutchfield.com. Crutch is great with providing detailed info on installation of your new HU and such. A bit more expensive... but their service is top notch.
I am not sure if you can use aftermarket speakers in a factory amped system w/o disconnecting the amps. Ttocs will have more info there as well.
Swez
audionewb on 02/23/2004 07:07:55
So do you think the factory speakers will be ok on a non-factory HU? Also I usually just cut the wire harnesses on the wires and manually wire each one. Is there anyway I could get some wire harnesses for my deck that will work on the ones that are on my car now?
swez on 02/23/2004 07:46:30
Not sure how the stock speakers would sound on an aftermarket HU. I have noted that ttocs often disables the amps and runs new wire for new sperakers to an aftermarket amp kit or back to HU amps.
There are conversion harnesses that make aftermarket installs pretty easy. Just get the right Ford adapter harness and take it from there. Leave the OEM harnesses in tact so if you sell the car later, can reinstall the OEM HU. Same deal... WalMart, BB, CC for harness.
Swez
swez on 02/23/2004 15:53:35
I did speak with a Pro installer today and he indicated that as long as you did not have a Bose system in there now, you can run aftermarket speakers off the amps installed with your stock system.
If a Bose system, Bose uses odd ohmage speakers and dropping aftermarket speakers in will not sound right.
Ford has it's own line of audio gear and also an Alpine HU system. From what you mentioned, it sounds like your system is pure Ford OEM.
If it were me, I would try installing a pair of new speakers off the onboard amps. If it does not get you there... then yanking the OEM Ford HU, installing an Aftermarket HU and bypass the OEM amps etc., and use a decent 4 channel and new wires to power your interior speakers. Add a sub and amp as you care to.
Swez
audionewb on 02/23/2004 19:50:48
Well I went to CC and found out I don't have premium sound, so it looks like I won't need to bypass any amps. I guess I'm going to go buy a mount kit, and wire harness and see if I can't get this badboy working.
swez on 02/24/2004 10:36:13
Yep, that's a good start. Just make plans to upgrade your speakers at some point in the game. Stock speakers are real cheezy and low power. They often do not have power handling or sonic range compared to decent aftermarket speakers. The heart of any great sounding car system... are the speakers! (not so much the HU)
Also, if you plan on adding a sub/amp to your system, figure you'll be fine with HU amp power up to about 300 watts RMS of sub power. Once you get beyond that, the HU power amps cannot push the interior speakers loud enough to give good balance. Gets bass heavy.
Swez
ttocs on 02/24/2004 10:51:30
I assume they pulled the deck to see if it was amplified or not? without pulling it out you cannot tell really..
That car is a easy in-and-out with the proper tools and parts. You could keep the factory deck and do a rf mod cd changer, or replace the deck no matter what system is in there. Let me know what you want to do but unless they are running free install we can get you through it....
Replies (9)
swez on 02/21/2004 09:33:06
Do you like the basic features and sound of the stock HU now?
Does it have a CD button on the face? If yes, there is an install kit for a 6 changer that you can easily mount in the trunk. The dealer cost for the changer is rediculous... but you can get an aftermarket kit for about $300.00 and install that with ease.
To remove the stock HU, you have to get a special tool for these. There are 4 holes in the end corners of the HU where these "U" shaped pins fit. Wal-Mart or any good auto parts store will carry this tool for under $5.00. Makes removal a snap!
Finally, if you do yank the HU and replace with aftermarket, let "ttocs" give you some recommendations on how to handle the amping system.
Swez
audionewb on 02/22/2004 08:41:24
The stock HU is alright. The thing I guess that I'm worried about is that the stock speakers won't sound as good if I take them off the amp that they're running off of.
The radio has a cd button, and the wires are already ran to the back of the car. I actually took it to Circuit City and they said with the kinda clip I had it would be very expensive to get a new cd changer for it. I've seen other Ford cd changer clips and mine seems to look differently then those. Theres is more squarish.
The uninstall sounds ez then. One question I had though was that I have a smaller deck then what that huge factory deck is now, and I'm wondering how I can fill in the extra space. Should I buy a mounting kit or something?
Yeah hopefully ttocs will reply and maybe he will know where the amp is and everything. It's probably behind the deck. Where do they have the pin at in Wal-Mart? The car audio section?
swez on 02/22/2004 09:40:40
Yes, the removal holes are square. The pins I mentioned are "U" shaped with a small bulb at each end of the "U". Insert the clips, one per side and push them in til you feel a click. Then, spread the clips sideways, away from the center of the HU and gently pull the stock HU out. There are usually 2 harnesses in the cavity to disconnect and the radio is now ready to remove.
As for your amps, ttocks will know more about this phase as he is a Pro installer. Am sure he will have a few options for you on what can be done to successfully install an aftermarket HU if you so desire.
Single Din HU's require a faceplate mounting kit and you can get these at Wal-Mart, CC, BB or online at Crutchfield.com. Crutch is great with providing detailed info on installation of your new HU and such. A bit more expensive... but their service is top notch.
I am not sure if you can use aftermarket speakers in a factory amped system w/o disconnecting the amps. Ttocs will have more info there as well.
Swez
audionewb on 02/23/2004 07:07:55
So do you think the factory speakers will be ok on a non-factory HU? Also I usually just cut the wire harnesses on the wires and manually wire each one. Is there anyway I could get some wire harnesses for my deck that will work on the ones that are on my car now?
swez on 02/23/2004 07:46:30
Not sure how the stock speakers would sound on an aftermarket HU. I have noted that ttocs often disables the amps and runs new wire for new sperakers to an aftermarket amp kit or back to HU amps.
There are conversion harnesses that make aftermarket installs pretty easy. Just get the right Ford adapter harness and take it from there. Leave the OEM harnesses in tact so if you sell the car later, can reinstall the OEM HU. Same deal... WalMart, BB, CC for harness.
Swez
swez on 02/23/2004 15:53:35
I did speak with a Pro installer today and he indicated that as long as you did not have a Bose system in there now, you can run aftermarket speakers off the amps installed with your stock system.
If a Bose system, Bose uses odd ohmage speakers and dropping aftermarket speakers in will not sound right.
Ford has it's own line of audio gear and also an Alpine HU system. From what you mentioned, it sounds like your system is pure Ford OEM.
If it were me, I would try installing a pair of new speakers off the onboard amps. If it does not get you there... then yanking the OEM Ford HU, installing an Aftermarket HU and bypass the OEM amps etc., and use a decent 4 channel and new wires to power your interior speakers. Add a sub and amp as you care to.
Swez
audionewb on 02/23/2004 19:50:48
Well I went to CC and found out I don't have premium sound, so it looks like I won't need to bypass any amps. I guess I'm going to go buy a mount kit, and wire harness and see if I can't get this badboy working.
swez on 02/24/2004 10:36:13
Yep, that's a good start. Just make plans to upgrade your speakers at some point in the game. Stock speakers are real cheezy and low power. They often do not have power handling or sonic range compared to decent aftermarket speakers. The heart of any great sounding car system... are the speakers! (not so much the HU)
Also, if you plan on adding a sub/amp to your system, figure you'll be fine with HU amp power up to about 300 watts RMS of sub power. Once you get beyond that, the HU power amps cannot push the interior speakers loud enough to give good balance. Gets bass heavy.
Swez
ttocs on 02/24/2004 10:51:30
I assume they pulled the deck to see if it was amplified or not? without pulling it out you cannot tell really..
That car is a easy in-and-out with the proper tools and parts. You could keep the factory deck and do a rf mod cd changer, or replace the deck no matter what system is in there. Let me know what you want to do but unless they are running free install we can get you through it....
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