My stereo upgrade project. Pictures. - Diesel Forum

mucor · 04-18-2005, 06:59 PM

Have a 2001 PSD Limited with Factory CD/Tape, dealer installed Ford overhead DVD player and six factory 6x8 speakers. I've decided on a system upgrade as well as sound insulation route. I had two concerns. DVD functionality and ability to run all 6 speakers with an aftermarket deck.

Looked into "professional" doing this and it was really pricey. Never done anything like this before on my own so I thought I share my experience here with others. Sorry if it's basic stuff. Will update as I go if there's enough interest.

[image]http://www.gfxbank.com/is.php?i=53581&img=Old_Radio.jpg[/image]

My nemesis, it's an ok deck but definately not enough guts/options for my project. I learned my system does not have any external amplifiers, it's all deck power.

You can remove this easily by purchasing OEM Ford/Mazda stereo removal tool (about 4 bucks at walmart). Just stick in the metal tool, push to the side and pull, that's it!

[image]http://www.gfxbank.com/is.php?i=53578&img=Factory_Plugs.jpg[/image]

After that's out, you'll see 3 plugs. The one on the left is the plug for power/speakers etc.. The one in the middle is from the overhead DVD player that allows rear passengers to switch radio station/modes etc. The plug on the right is of course the antenna plug.

You'll need to purchase a wiring harness, this will plug into the plug on the left. The middle plug (DVD) will not be used with an aftermarket stereo (thus losing rear controls). I bought the wiring harness at a local auto parts store for ten bucks, it was like 15 at best buy. (scosche part number FD16)

[image]http://www.gfxbank.com/is.php?i=53576&img=DVD.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.gfxbank.com/is.php?i=53577&img=DVD_control.jpg[/image]

One of my concerns was what would happen to the Ford DVD player sound/controls with a stereo swap and here's what I learned. I'll lose the rear seat control capability but DVD sound is fine as it is tramitted by FM directly from the overhead DVD player. This compromise was acceptable to me.

[image]http://www.gfxbank.com/is.php?i=53582&img=Pioneer_box.jpg[/image]

My new/old deck, ~200 bucks, from my old car. I lose tape but gain MP3 capability/EQ/RCA/Subwoofer out/more power and quality.

You'll need to buy a install kit from Walmart to get this DIN sized aftermarket radio into the huge ford radio hole. It's about ten bucks at walmart. Snaps on, new hardware.
[image]http://www.gfxbank.com/is.php?i=53580&img=New_deck_in_dash.jpg[/image]

There it is! It sounds significantly better than a factory deck even with just deck power. I learned that the rear channel drives all four rear speakers. So yes, all six speakers work!

My next task is...

Sound insulation under carpet/doors.
Front speaker upgrade.
Amp install.
Subwoofer install.

Any sage advise always welcome!

mucor · 04-18-2005, 07:10 PM

Hmm, picture posting doesn't work?...

FamilyRide · 04-18-2005, 10:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, picture posting doesn't work?...

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, look around, pics in threads aren't supported for some reason on this board. I assume it's a resource thing. Look at 75% of the threads and posters.....could you imagine the amount of space that would be needed to the pics that would get posted here? LOL [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Kinda stinks though, when you want to post something like what you're doing, we all get shafted. If they are hosted, you'll have to post a link instead. I'l like to see them!!

BenBone · 04-18-2005, 10:52 PM

Looks good..I was in your boat a few months ago when I was planning my system...I just couldnt see giving up the dvd audio/steering wheel controls and hands free cell phone audio thru the speakers just for a aftermarket deck...but if you get a good amp, speakers the sound quality makes up for having a stock cd...

Also I would forget about the sound deading material...if you were building s asystem in a 67 bronco of course go for it but for the time/money vs result...might not be worth it...just my .02

Ben

mucor · 04-18-2005, 11:11 PM

But I have my photos hosted on GfxBank.com meaning it's linked and uses the resources on GfxBank.com not DieselStop.com to load up the pictures...

Oh well, the no photo display kind of takes the wind out the sails for this type of a post. Maybe I'll just do a little writeup later and put it on a website or something.

Regarding sound insulation, I've been in cars that had this done and it really makes a big difference. Since I'm doing a full system install myself with running speaker wire/amp wires etc, I figure I do this as well. It's one of those always there mods, meaning I enjoy impoved music sound as well as lower highway cruising noise level even with the stereo off.

I didn't have steering wheel controls (2202 and later I think) but yes, it would kind of stink to lose that. But using the factory deck for something more than just something simple doesn't make sense. I plan on getting some really high end speakers for the front stage and I want my headunit to provide clean source. But it all depends on what is important to you I guess. I didn't look much but I've seen some adapters that supposedly allow you to use steering wheel controls. Also many aftermarket radios have cell phone capability.

I'm bit of an audiophile and always had good systems but they were installed by others, but I figure I give this a shot this time.

EXCAV8TER · 04-18-2005, 11:41 PM

Ok Mucor ...two things. If you are in Austin, texas I would be happy to help you out and at no charge...I love installing Stereo stuff. ( I have 12 speakers, 3 amps and a crossover and XM in my dually! Gotta have tunes you know...Secondly... We just bought a beautiful Limited EX and I want to know how much the DVD overhead you are talking about costs... I have a friend at a dealer here and can probably get it at cost but was curious about yours and BTW is it the 10" screen?
TIA
Tom [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

mucor · 04-18-2005, 11:56 PM

Thanks for the offer but unfortunately I'm way north of you in WI. Your truck looks awesome by the way! I'm planning to buff mine up soon.

The ford overhead DVD was put in by the previous owner so I don't know how much it cost him. It's a seven incher. If I had to do it, I'd get an aftermarket one, much better choices out there, especially if doing a system upgrade.

Did you do the stereo work yourself? Any tips or pictures of your install?

AllStarPSD · 04-19-2005, 12:01 AM

Mucor's Pics:

 Old Radio 

 Factory Plugs 

 DVD 

 DVD Control 

 Pioneer Box 

 New Deck In Dash 

darn...i musta been bored [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

thomas

200Proof · 04-19-2005, 12:33 AM

You don't have to lose you steering wheel controls if you change out head units. PAX makes a steering wheel control module that will keep your factory audio controls as long as the new haed unit uses a remote control. However, you do lose the steering wheel a/c controls.

SeppDietrich · 04-19-2005, 11:08 AM

You don't lose the steering wheel AC controls with a SWI-X, and the SWI-X also works for rear controls in the Excursion.

actiondcpd · 04-19-2005, 01:54 PM

Does anyone know the difference between the SWI-X and SWI-V?

SWI-V

The "V" model says for Video, but also seems like it might be a little more flexible. I don't see how you would lose your heater/AC controls. Why wouldn't you just not splice in to those wires?

CaliEx · 04-19-2005, 03:13 PM

Do our Excursions have a factory amp hidden somewhere in the vehicle? I know that mine sounds pretty good stock, but I am wanting to upgrade speakers and add an amp. Reason for asking about wether the Ex has (or doesn't have) a factory amp is that I just tried upgrading the head unit in my wife's Caddy... I wasn't getting any sound! Took it in to an installer who told me that the factory head unit controlled the factory amp. And since the new head unit wasn't capable of turning on the amp, I wasn't getting any thing out of my speakers. It took them most of the day to re-wire the car to bypass the factory amp. Now it is wired directly from the head unit to the door speakers! The drawback is that the car no longer powers up the factory subwoofer. I think the next step for her car is to put in a 5 channel amp so it will have more than the 22 watts per channel it has now... and the subwoofer can live again!

I am hoping that the Excursion DOES NOT have a factory amp... don't want to go through this again! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vomit.gif[/img]

Bruce1954 · 04-19-2005, 04:44 PM

No factory amp in any X that I am aware of, none in my 02

Bruce

mucor · 04-19-2005, 05:56 PM

I don't think you have a factory amp but it's really easy to tell.

Just pick up a stereo removal tool, take out the stock radio, check the harness to see what kind of harness you have.

Check Excursion stereo swap

EXCAV8TER · 04-19-2005, 08:52 PM

Mucor,
Yes I did all the stereo work myself. Its really not all that hard. What you do is buy an aftermarket harness that plugs into the factory wiring and you butt splice the new stereo into the harness you bought that way there is no butchering the wires. Pull the door panels off or whatever panel is covering a factory speaker and use a screw driver to pull out the factory speaker. You will see that there is a plug and you can unplug it and cut the plug off the factory speaker and wire your new speaker into it and just plug it in. This will work for any aftermarket speaker as long as all you want is the decks power. If you want to amplify the speakers then you will need to run wire from the amp to each speaker. Amps have very simple connections... there is power, ground, RCA jacks and speaker connections. Run power from battery or good power source such as the distribution block and ground the amp right where it is installed. A little trick is to ground ALL your components ( deck, amps and crossovers) at one location. This eliminates any whine or noise interference. The RCA jacks will need to be conected to the deck and this provides the "music" signal from the deck.

It has always been easiest to me to pull the drivers seat completely out of the vehicle. Then pull the door trim on the threshold ( bottom) to be able to access under the carpet. This allows you to run power, ground and rca cable from deck to mounting location which is usually under a rear seat. ALSO keep your RCA cable and your power and ground connections away from each other. Run them a foot apart and that will further eliminate noise entering the system.

I have Infinity seperates in the doors and rear panels, another set of tweeters on the dash left and right and (4) 8" Fosgate woofers behind the rear seat in a custom box. I have two " old school" Punch 150's running the woofers and and a Coustic 360 running all the doors. The tweeters on the dash run off of the decks power. BTW the punch 150 amps are about ...golly 15 +/- years old! They ABSOLUTELY ROCK!!!!

I could go much farther in detail but I would be typing forever..I hope this helps..

Oh and BTW yes I have heard of factory amps in some vehicles and bypassing them with a real amp is a great idea..

Tom [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]