I just got most of my stuff installed and I am very happy with the way it turned out. The install was pretty easy, the RCAs for my amp and sub were already behind the factory radio, so it was pretty much plug and play, with minimal wire connections. I did take out my Brandmotion Nav. as I hope to get the Blackbird II sooner or later. I used the Metra install kit and the Metra wiring harness.

The headrest monitors that I used were a fairly cheap set off Ebay made by Concept. They are already built in and are 9.2" screens. I must say that the picture on them is pretty good, I can't tell a difference between them and the W205. The audio on the monitors through the headset plug in has a bit of humming but not too bad but the wireless headphones that came with them suck, they are not even usable.

I will warn anyone that may want to get these monitors that from the factory, the spacing on the poles that go down into the seats will not adjust close enough. The box and website say they will adjust to 4" and our trucks have about 4 1/4" between the holes, but they will only adjust down to about 4 3/4". I had to do some modifying to the mechanism that adjusts them in and out. I was determined to make them work as I got no response from the seller and the manufacturer was not much help either.

Anyways, like I said, they were pretty cheap, only $319 shipped. Time will tell what the true quality is, but they have a good picture and my son loves them.

I haven't gotten my IPOD cables hooked up yet or a Sirius receiver. And I am debating on whether or not to get the Bluetooth adapter. Does anyone have the W205 with the Bluetooth adapter and how well does it work.

Lastly, the W205 is a pretty sweet unit, and the sound quality seems somewhat better than my factory unit running the same amp and sub combo, probably cause I am not using line level converters now. Check out the pictures in my gallery https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=9763

 

where did u get the Metra install kit and the Metra wiring harness. and what elses is needed for the install

 

I had the bluetooth add on on my W200 and had to remove it.The mic did not work very well for phone use and it kept killin my trucks batt.It was reinstalled to make sure it was connected the correct way but still drained the batt.Alpine swapped it for a new one but did same thing.I would skip the bluetooth.The new blackbird should have bluetooth built in that you will be able to use as well.

 

Thanks for the advice on the bluetooth. I am wondering how good the bluetooth will be on the Blackbird, just have to wait and see I guess.

As for the installation kit and the wiring harness, I got them both on ebay. Here are some links:


WIRING HARNESS
http://cgi.ebay.com/Metra-70-5520-Fo...QQcmdZViewItem

DASH KIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/FORD-LINCOLN-MER...QQcmdZViewItem

If you are using your stock speakers and no external amp, then those two kits are all you need to install the stereo. If you are adding any other peripherals such as IPOD or Sirius, then you need other items such as cables or kits.

You also need the PAC bypass to watch video, or you have to wire the W205 to the parking brake and/or foot brake.

 

thanks for the help. do u have a link for the pac bypass also?? thanks

 

Yep, here it is:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALPINE-BYPASS-MO...QQcmdZViewItem

 

when wireing the harness to the headunit do u just match up the colors? and is every whire used? i have never done this before and my 205 comes in the middle of next week so i might have a few more questions sry if they are dumb ones

 

bump

 

Connecting the wires to the harness is pretty simple, the kit will have what each wire is listed on the package, then just match it up with the wires from the new head unit. If I remember right not all the wires are used for the 205 installed, and there is a wire for the remote amp turn on. Pretty straight forward, i've only installed two headunits in my life (both Alpine) and they are very simple.


twmalonehunte, Congrats on the W205, I have had mine for a couple mounths now and I am very happy with it. The Ipod cable is very nice, I've got mine ran to the center console so the ipod is hiden out of site. Turns it on and off automatically and charges the ipod, My nano ipod hasnt been out of my truck since the headunit went in.

Nice job on the headrest monitors, looks very clean!

 

allstar8806, sorry I was out of town, but Cobymedic is right on target, it is very easy to install, just match up the wires.

Cobymedic, how did you route your Ipod cable to the center console and did you have to remove the console or drill holes in it? And are you planning on getting the Blackbird II? If so, where are you going to put your antenna? Thanks.

 

how hard is it to install the video bypass?? thanks for all the help

 

The bypass is very easy to install, just 4 wires I think. The instructions are easy to follow and tell you how to program the unit to bypass the Alpine HU.

 

what gauge wire are the wiring harness wires???

 

I have the FX4 with full floor console, so I just ran the Ipod cable thru the console, very simple to take apart. Then I drilled a small hole, just enough for the plug to fit thru in the back of the console, below the lid so it cant be seen. Probably take 30mins tops to do it all. Wouldnt be to hard to mount the ipod in the glove box to, really it could be mounted just about anywhere the cable would reach, only time you would really have to touch the ipod is to take it out of the truck to add music.


I plan on getting the Blackbird sometime in the future, havent put any thought into the antenna tho.

Ahh I see you have the FX4 as well, shouldnt have a problem with the ipod cable, as long as you are willing to drill (very easy to hide the hole). Nice Looking truck, Gotta Love the Flareside!!!

 

Congrats on the install.

I am waiting on the new BB too. will prob put the ANT on the dash near the wipers as I don't want to tell thieves that I have it by placing it on the roof.

That is a little tip the officer told me.