Hey, I have an 2001 F-150 Supercrew with stock stereo. Anyone know where I can find the cheapest auxiliary input adapters to add to it? Or can someone give me a list of the stuff I need to get a single DIN stereo with line-in already in it in my truck that won't look too bad.

 

The easiest/cheapest would be an FM mod. Splits your am/fm antenna connection and taps into 12v switched and ground.

Aside from whatever size radio you want, you will need two parts, a dash kit and a wire harness. Metra part numbers 99-5804 (dash kit) and 70-1771 (wire harness).

 

Would that FM mod be anything like using an FM transmitter? Cause that's what I'm currently using right now and getting tired of it. :P

 

If I get that Metra dash kit and harness I can get any single DIN stereo to work or do I still have to find a specific one?

 

Any single-din radio would work. A lot of times, you're better off getting an aftermarket radio if you want features your stock radio doesn't have. Not only will you get those features, but you'll get a load of other features as well (USB input, 3.5mm input, sat radio connectivity, Ipod controls, great audio adjustment, mp3 CD playback, and others).

 

No. It basically blocks all FM signals comming in and just focuses the music from your ipod/mp3 to whatever station its set to, either 87.9 or 88.3. Ive installed hundreds of these with no complaints.

 

I really want a screen but don't want to go through the trouble of cutting stuff in there to get it to fit. So I am now looking into this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BOSS-AUDIO-DVD-P...item2c5813dfb0

Either of you ever install something like this? Wondering if the screen will have any trouble tilting up since it would have that edge above it from the dash. Are there dash kits where the radio installs at the bottom and the CD/DVD slot is up top to give the screen more room to open?

 

LOL, I installed one of those in a Jeep Cherokee, older one with the 4.0L in it. I will say this though, you will get $150 worth of touch screen technology. If you need a media player, that will do the job. But the menu navigation, video quality, and button responsiveness just suck. As far as installing it, I haven't been in a 97-03 F150 in a while, but I don't think you'll have an issue with tilting. Someone with that year F150 would know better than I would since I have an 07. But I do know the back of the screen is about 1/2" from the face of the headunit when folded out. That's not a lot of clearance. According to some images, installation and operation will not be simplified by installing in the lower din portion of an install kit. You'll need a spacer.

 

Flip-outs do just fine in the 97-03, however, mine was a tad bit better quality then that Boss one. Im gonna say this, to be completely honest, you'd be better off doing an FM mod temporarily and saving up for a high quality single din or flip out. Stay away from Boss, Dual, Jensen, etc...



Damn I miss that radio....

 

[QUOTE=Sundevil2188;4389288]Flip-outs do just fine in the 97-03, however, mine was a tad bit better quality then that Boss one. Im gonna say this, to be completely honest, you'd be better off doing an FM mod temporarily and saving up for a high quality single din or flip out. Stay away from Boss, Dual, Jensen, etc...[QUOTE]

I second that

 

Thanks for the replies! I'm not sure what that FM mod is exactly (like what would I be installing?). Is it just the screen that's not the best on the Boss brand or is it also the audio? Am I better off just buying a used Pioneer radio just for audio right now? I can upgrade to something with navigation maybe later on.

Edit: I don't understand why I only need 1 adapter wire harness, don't I need 1 for each of the connections that went into my stock radio? Or do aftermarket radios only use 1 of those connections?

Looking at some bundles on Wal-Mart website, what size speakers are the stock ones on my truck? Do these 6.5" speakers fit in the doors?

 

Stock speaker sizes are 5x7. You can get 6.5's to fit but you'd need to make your own adaptor plate, and you might even need to do some cutting either to the speaker frame or your door panel.

As for harnesses, you only need one, the big one that hooks up to the largest harness for the radio. That is the one that controlls all the important things like power, ground, accessory, speakers, and power antenna (if applicable). Other harnesses control steering wheel controls, auxiliary inputs, dimming, and audiophile subwoofer.

As for the FM mod, I've heard about it but I've never personally seen it and from what I've heard, it works great. I heard there's a small box you can get which plugs into the antenna port on your radio, and your antenna plugs into it. Also, there's a wire that comes out of this box that allows you to hook up mp3 players via 3.5mm phono jack. You control your music through your mp3 player. But again, I've only heard of it. If you do some research I'm certain you can find it.

 

Gahhhh Walmart car audio....

Stock speakers are 5x7/6x8

An FM Mod is everything phattacorider explained, except you also need to tap 12v switched and ground. The basic ones just have RCA inputs, to which you run an RCA to mini. Some of the more advanced like the Peripheral IS77 plugs into the 30pin ipod plug. Not only transfers your audio but charges the ipod as well.

 

Got a Sony stereo and installed it yesterday. I used a bunch of wire butt connectors to get the wire harness from Metra connected to the one that came with the stereo, should that be good enough? Working fine right now but wasn't sure at the time if it was a good idea. The wire harness from the Sony stereo had this connector for the ground where you just put like a screw on it so I found a connector I could put a screw on with a nut to hold them together and just put electrical tape around them so they wouldn't touch anything. Guess I will just keep it like this till something happens then I will just cut the ends off and use a wire butt connector if I have to.

Now this stereo has a whole lot more volume but stock speakers no good for it, can't go much higher than 25 (outa 50) without the sound quality messing up! :P I don't understand these speaker sizes, my truck is supposed to have both 5x7 and 6x8 speakers in the doors? Will I be able to use the wire that's already there for them?...Guess it's time for me to move to the audio section on the forum to get some help with speakers and sub-woofer stuff.

 

As for your harnesses, I would cut the connectors off both of the ground wires, strip them, and use butt connectors for them. Some manufacturers use an eyelet connector because some vehicles don't have a direct ground wire going back to the battery from the radio. The black wire coming from your Sony headunit, you can actually tap that onto a screw or bolt that makes contact with the chasis as a means of negative ground. But the easiest thing, just cut the connectors, and use butt connectors. This will eliminate that small nut and bolt you're using. Also given time, the electrical tape will get warm and the adhesive will get slimey and nasty which would suck if you ever wanted to change out your headunit. So again, use butt-type connectors for that, or cap-style connectors.

As for your speakers, don't expect a lot of bass AND treble to come out. The distortion you're getting is from having the bass and treble on your headunit too high and cranking the volume. Stock speakers are very poor for high volume sound reproduction in a large band because there's one come doing multiple jobs. You should invest in coaxial speakers. For our trucks, you'll be getting 5x7 or 6x8. They are essentially the same size, but you'd be better off just searching for 5x7. With coax speakers, there's a large cone for mid bass, then there are smaller speakers, upper midrange and tweeter if you get a 3 way. Those emphasize higher frequencies. I will say this though, don't expect a lot of bass out of any door speakers without amplification and tuning. That's what subwoofers are for.