help with adding aftermarket radio

[337]

Hi, I went to install the aftermarket deck I had in my SLO ( Also had the adapter plug to fit into the ford harness') to the SHO. I took it apart and noticed that one of the harness connections was different then the SLO. I then remembered about the amp in the back and how the wiring was surely different ( better later then never right?).

Anyway, how do I go about putting the aftermarket deck into the car? The harness connections from the SLO have two rectangular plugs (power & speaker)while the SHO has one rectangular plug (power) and one smaller square plug (going to the amp I would assume) and one very small square plug that is not connected to anything and has little tabs in it (it's not the remote volume/seek one). What is this very small plug thingie used for? subs?

BTW, the car has the premium sound system now.

Thanks for any suggestions or instructions,

Lee

<small>[ June 18, 2002, 12:35 AM: Message edited by: 337 ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

That smaller connector is for the line level outputs from the stock premium head unit to the amplifier mounted under the package deck lid.

A decent stereo shop will have the necessary adapters to go from your head unit to that connector and to bypass the factory amp if needed. I got mine at Ultimate Electronics.

I hooked my Pioneer up that way and ran it through the original factory Premium Sound speakers, bypassing the amp.

Steve

 

[SEANGUYSHO]

I got a new alpine unit rated at 60x4 watts at max power. That is a lot more than the SHO's 20x4 amp. So here the problem, if you buy the adapter to bypass the amp, no matter what your head unit does your still gonna run 20x4.

If you want to use your head unit to the fullest, your best bet is to re-wire the speakers. You can do this two ways:
1. Run wire to each speaker from the head unit, which requires taking off door panels and such,(Only do it this way if you want to run thick gauged high preformance wires to each speaker) or

2. Un-plug the plug with all the wires to the speakers, from your amp. (I forget what plug that is, so it will take some thinking on your part, It'll be the one with 8 wires, 4 colors between them.) Just cut the wires and connect them to some more speaker wire and run it to your head unit.

 

[DHMag]

Wal-Mart carries the adapter kit for Ford Premium Sound Stereo systems (one long and skinny connector, one small square connector)...think its 20 dollas or so...it comes with a 3rd connection adaptor but its not needed in 91 and up Fords

 

[337]

Thanks guys,

For now I think I'm going to look into the premium sound adapter kit( I'm desperate, having no CD player is driving me crazy!), but later on this summer/fall when I change all the speakers, I'll do the rewiring properly with thicker gauge wire.

Lee

 

[Blue-By-U]

This is the exact kit you need. I work at a local Best Buy which carries it for 17.99. Its called the Ford premium sound systems amplifier eliminator system harness. Two harnesses for the ones behind your dash and one to bypass the amp in the back. Its made my Metra and is part number 70-5514.
Sorry if someone already posted this but I just wanted to make sure you get the right harness the first time.