Okay, I am so frustrated with this! The dealership guys have been no help. I bought a stock Ford premium system out of an Explorer along with the CD changer. I have abandoned the idea of plugging in a stock amp. My problem is, after cutting the wires and trying just to hard wire it direct, is I think that the speaker wires out of the radio are low level. I just wondered if anyone knew this for sure. I can wire it this way and just get a normal amp. Any info would be great, Thanks.

 

Usually the speaker wires out of a stock stereo go directly to the speakers. This means they are not low level. You can buy a low level converter that will tap into the speaker wires and give you a low level output to run to an aftermarket amp.

Now if this head unit came out of a car that had a factory amp, I'm not really sure. I would assume they are low level, but could just be normal and the factory amp could have a low level converter build in. One way to check would be to put a volt meter on the speaker wires coming from the radio. Don't know what voltages to look for out of a stock stereo, but maybe the Ford guys could give you some specs.

Want my opinion? Trash the factory stuff and just install a nice aftermarket head unit. Will sound 10x better than any stock unit and is cut and dry to hook up!!

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Boss™

Just Ordered 2001 F-150 Lariat, Oxford White/Silver 4x4, medium graphite leather, SC, SB, SS, 99L 5.4L, 44E tran, 7700# payload, Class III Tow, 3.73LS, Skids, Capts chairs, 4W disc ABS, shift-on-fly, keyless, HD everything
Planned Mods:
"Protected by Smith&Wesson" sticker, Westin Chromed Stainless Nerf Bars, ARE LS II bed cover, Bedrug™, Gibson Swept Side Cat Back, K&N filter w/airbox mods, headers, Superchip, 3" body lift with at least 33's, alarm/pager/auto start system, stereo system

 

Loren Potts;
This thread might help. https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000251.html
Try further searches in "other audio" forum
Best of luck ...


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2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4

• 5.4 engine
• Chestnut w/ gold trim
• Captain's Chairs
• Ford/ Duraliner bed insert
• Six disc cd changer (in center console)
• Fosgate FNP1614 component speakers (front)
• Pioneer TS-A6855 speakers (rear)
• Moon roof
• 98/99 Expedition center console
• Bed extender
• Class 3 trailer hitch

 

Loren Potts;
Here's a more specific thread on the Explorer radio system.
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000181.html

Not sure where "Tim A" is ... he really had some good info ... Best of luck...

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2001 F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4

• 5.4 engine
• Chestnut w/ gold trim
• Captain's Chairs
• Ford/ Duraliner bed insert
• Six disc cd changer (in center console)
• Fosgate FNP1614 component speakers (front)
• Pioneer TS-A6855 speakers (rear)
• Moon roof
• 98/99 Expedition center console
• Bed extender
• Class 3 trailer hitch