the4biddendonut
Hurry up meow.
There seems to be a lot of confusion on how to install an aftermarket radio into the SHO. There is more than one way to install an aftermarket radio, but this is what I have found to be the simplest and cheapest way of accomplishing the task.
This how-to will show you how to bypass the factory amp, so you can use an aftermarket head unit that has an internal amplifier.
1) Here's what you need. I chose to solder all my connections with a pen torch. However, you can make your connections however you like (crimp connectors, scotch locks, etc).
2) I started by stripping all the wires.
3) The harness on the left is the stereo harness that came with my Alpine deck. The two to the right are the standard Ford radio harnesses (purchased at Walmart for $8).
4) Connect the wires from the stereo harness to the Ford harnesses according to their color, with whatever method you chose. Connect yellow to yellow, red to red, blue to blue and so on. Some wires may not be used for every application, this is normal. I had one wire that was not used, so I capped it with electrical tape.
I heated the wires with my pen torch and applied the solder to them.
5) Finished soldering.
6) Then, I wrap all the individual connections in electrical tape.
7) Just to clean it up, I taped all the wires together into a loom.
The harness is finished. Now you are ready to install your aftermarket radio.
8) Remove the factory radio.
9) Disconnect the antenna and two other plugs. The two plugs on the left of the picture will not be used, so you can tuck them back into the dash and out of the way.
10) Now reach into where you pulled the factory radio out of and look for these two connectors that are pictured. Gen 1 SHOs will be plugged into another connector, just like in the picture. Gen 2 SHOs will have the same plugs, but will not be plugged into anything.
These connectors that are hidden in the dash bypass the factory amp and allow you to wire directly to the speakers.
11) These are the connectors that we are looking for. If you have a Gen 1 you need to unplug them and tuck the other side back into the dash and out of the way.
12) Connect the harness you made earlier to the car harnesses.
13) Install the cage from the aftermarket stereo.
14) Plug the harness and antenna cable into your head unit.
15) Slide the head unit into the cage, making sure that there is enough room behind the stereo for all the wires.
16) Install the trim ring.
17) Put the faceplate into place.
18) Unplug the factory amplifier that's located in the trunk.
19) Lastly, test it to make sure it works correctly.
20) Pat yourself on the back and enjoy.
This how-to will show you how to bypass the factory amp, so you can use an aftermarket head unit that has an internal amplifier.
1) Here's what you need. I chose to solder all my connections with a pen torch. However, you can make your connections however you like (crimp connectors, scotch locks, etc).
2) I started by stripping all the wires.
3) The harness on the left is the stereo harness that came with my Alpine deck. The two to the right are the standard Ford radio harnesses (purchased at Walmart for $8).
4) Connect the wires from the stereo harness to the Ford harnesses according to their color, with whatever method you chose. Connect yellow to yellow, red to red, blue to blue and so on. Some wires may not be used for every application, this is normal. I had one wire that was not used, so I capped it with electrical tape.
I heated the wires with my pen torch and applied the solder to them.
5) Finished soldering.
6) Then, I wrap all the individual connections in electrical tape.
7) Just to clean it up, I taped all the wires together into a loom.
The harness is finished. Now you are ready to install your aftermarket radio.
8) Remove the factory radio.
9) Disconnect the antenna and two other plugs. The two plugs on the left of the picture will not be used, so you can tuck them back into the dash and out of the way.
10) Now reach into where you pulled the factory radio out of and look for these two connectors that are pictured. Gen 1 SHOs will be plugged into another connector, just like in the picture. Gen 2 SHOs will have the same plugs, but will not be plugged into anything.
These connectors that are hidden in the dash bypass the factory amp and allow you to wire directly to the speakers.
11) These are the connectors that we are looking for. If you have a Gen 1 you need to unplug them and tuck the other side back into the dash and out of the way.
12) Connect the harness you made earlier to the car harnesses.
13) Install the cage from the aftermarket stereo.
14) Plug the harness and antenna cable into your head unit.
15) Slide the head unit into the cage, making sure that there is enough room behind the stereo for all the wires.
16) Install the trim ring.
17) Put the faceplate into place.
18) Unplug the factory amplifier that's located in the trunk.
19) Lastly, test it to make sure it works correctly.
20) Pat yourself on the back and enjoy.
Butt connectors plus heat shrink is the only way to go, if your feeling like being really professional you can also split loom the harness . :sun:
