Howdy all,

Just thought I'd post pics of my Panasonic CQ-C3300U. I bought it at www.sounddomain.com. Came with free wiring harness and installation kit.
What do you think??





Oh, and now my stock 6-discer is up for auction on ebay.
Feel free to bid!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5708473233

 

Nice! I had one in the Ranger I traded for my F150, sorry I let it go.

 

I like that a lot. The color actually matches your interior.

Throw one of these (or similar, you might be limited by space) in the tray underneath the MP3, you won't regret it.

 

You should see it at night... the blue and red match the blue and red on the a/c controls perfectly, kind of pulls it in to the rest of the dash.
Now I'd like a red and blue instrument cluster.

I thought about an equalizer, but I wasn't sure about using their internal amps that most seem to have.

 

What made you decide on getting rid of the 6-disc and getting a MP3?

I was so excited about having a 6-disc changer when I got my truck, but now I am on the fence. I don't change discs as much as I thought I would. Also, I wouldn't mind having the XM radio controls and pre-amp outputs which would have made my amp install a lot easier.

I have been looking at some Alpine MP3's. I have an Alpine amp now and love there products.

Let's hear some thoughts.

 

Well, a number of things.

1. I don't change discs much, never had more than 2 in my changer. Ever.
2. I have long-term plans to install an amp and sub, so pre-amp outputs are a must. I have installed them to a stock stereo before and it just doesn't cut it.
3. If I go to the trouble of burning CD's, I'd rather burn 150 songs than 15.
4. The new HU drives my stock speakers much better and will drive my new JBL components even better when they arrive!

 

ieee_raider,

I can't seem to find that installation kit on sound domain. What was the kit number? I was looking to get an Alpine through Crutchfield but they don't seem to have the kits out for the '04 yet.

Thanks

 

I too went mp3, similar to the unit ieee_raider put in. I too had the 6 disc but I have a vast collection of mp3/wma tracks. Not to mention when I buy a new CD I dump it into wma on my computer so I have a backup. Long story short I went with aftermarket HU instead of six disc for the following:

1) Better quality and power from aftermarket.

2) 1 wma disc holds about 150-200 cd quality tracks, 6 disc will hold only 6 discs of 20 songs, = 120. So no more cd books in the truck, instead 2 or 3 mp3 discs is all.

3) I have all aftermarket component speakers and drive an external amp with 2 10" subs...the preouts were a must.

4) Overall looks and tech. of the new aftermarket headunits are fantastic, I will someday upgrade to a DVD nav unit but this one still could break windows on high volume. Truly all country music was meant to be played through subs.

 

Zoltan,

I received a new Cruthfield's catalog Friday. In the "what will fit section" 04 F-150's are listed for the E size HU. I am assuming that if they will sell me an HU that fits, surely they will give the proper installation kit.

As of Saturday, Best Buy in SouthEast Houston did not have any. Said they were not available. Best Buy installed a new Sony in my 99 F-150. I wanted the old Sony (a good one) moved to my 04 SCrew. My wife thinks the old one was too complicated to use. It used a 10 disc Sony CD changer and had a cassette in the HU. (Go easy, I still have a few tapes I like to listen to.) Any way, I may call Crutchfield to find out for sure if the have an installation kit.

 

Bluerider,

Crutchfield said they had one for the heritage. They asked whether I had the column or floor shifter. I told them I had the floor. Apparently, they have one for trucks with the column shifter, but not the floor. He said there must be some difference between the floor and column radio. I seriously doubt there is a difference. I just think I am ahead of the game. They need to research this more.

 

What's it like ripping apart the dash on these trucks? I think I'd like to do it but would like to hear some reviews of the process.

Thanks!

Tom

 

SALZMANN... installing a new head unit in my truck was the easiest one Ive ever done, and Ive done a lot of stereo installs. The trim panel around the radio just pulls off, start at the bottom corner and pull, then work your way up to the top. Once thats off, theres 4 bolts holding the radio in, pull them out and thats it. Real easy.


ZOLTAN...I was just wondering if you have researched the Alpine you want, as far as price goes? Crutchfield has always been very expensive in my opinion. Sure they give you the harness and install kit (which at this point seems like they dont have one) but who cares when you can save a few hundred bucks on the unit and then just buiy the harness and install kit. I got my harness and install kit in Circuit City. I think it cost me $40 for both. Check my gallery to see pics of it. I would suggest looking on the internet for your head unit. When I bought mine all the stereo shops and crutchfield wanted $750 or more for it. I got it at etronics.com for $500. Just something you might want to check out. Good luck.

 

Look's pretty slick. Can't go wrong with the Kenwood DDX7015. Pics in my gallery. But it is a bit more green for sure. My stock 6 disc is resting in a box in my shop.

 

OK everyone... here is the kit number for the new '04+ F150 install kit. I ordered mine from Crutchfield, for my Kenwood DDX-7015. It is a Metra kit, number 99-5807. I think it was like 15-20 bucks. Now you know... and knowing is half the battle! GI Joe!