Just gotta do away with the factory amp. It wont last 2 weeks with a new head unit if it IS working. Ask me how I know. IIRC there was a plug kit available to do it clean no splicing.

 

is it too much power for the amp to handel?

anthony

 

amplifiers are meant to input from a low level signal. By hooking up an aftermarker hi-power output to the amplifier you are overloading it.

I am not positive, but when the radio is out, do you see the two standard radio plugs plugged into an extension harness leading down?

If so you can just unplug it there and hook up the radio there.

 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STurbo90</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I am not positive, but when the radio is out, do you see the two standard radio plugs plugged into an extension harness leading down?

If so you can just unplug it there and hook up the radio there. </div></div>

I believe this to be correct.

 

yeah i saw the extensin cord wire thing you are talking about. does ford make an adapter to adapt from the preinmum out put on the amp to bare wires? so i dont have to cut the factory wires?

thanks anthony

 

Ford doesn't, but the aftermarkets do.

http://www.audiooutfitter.com/70-1770/metra/p70089.html

or if you wanted to retain the factory amp and your radio has low level outputs,

http://www.oem-auto-accessory.com/70_5510.html

or if you can't find the factory plugs for the first option(best choice)

http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=70-5605

 

With premium sound you have one long plug and one small rectangular plug. What we were talking about is another long plug like th other that is run to the amp. I'm pretty sure it's back there somewhere.

That is the output from the amp going to the speakers. Unplug that and plug in your new stereo.

 

on my buddies F150 i found the power wire for the amp and plugged it into the amp wire coming out of the new deck.

 

http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=70-5513

would this work as well?

thanks anthony

 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diesel_kid</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> http://www.installer.com/item/display_item.php?it=70-5513

would this work as well?

thanks anthony </div></div>

What that does is disconnect the factory amp all together and bypass it. That will work but the way that was mentioned above will be easier and cheaper. I think the wires going to the amp are very small too and this will help sound to not use that jumper.

 

so i have 3 connectors coming out of the amp? thats how i have it connected the way caryt said.

i have the amp connected to the after market head unit. the sound is much louder than b4 and im guessing thats because it is being amped twice. i dont want to cut any wires. i was either thinking of the plug i posted above or this one
or this one
let me know what yall think

anthoy

 

bypass factory amp and go with an aftermarket one, much better sound. new speakers too

 

I just bought the below connector for my truck, this will be the 3rd different set up I have tried! I think this will take car of it though. Personally I wouldn't bypass the amp, I am not sure where the amp is located, but running the wiring harness to it may be a headache.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BEST-KIT-...3QQcmdZViewItem

 

Bypass the amp, you will thank yourself later... You can run wires direct to the old harness on the OUTPUT side of the factory amp, just need to get a schematic for the wires, or run new wires to an aftermarket amp and amp your speakers, which will kill them if they are stock not long after you do that.

The factory wires from the Radio to the factory amp are like 20ga. and very very small. Just about worthless, and if your installing an aftermarket head unit, then you cant use the factory amp.

I just cut the old harness off of my old F150, the factory sound was GARBAGE, and wired my new radio direct, the previous owner hacked it up bad, I just had to fix it all, correctly.

I've even gotten rid of the whole MACH 460 in my mustang, it too was junk. "premium" sound options are total crap, and only make it harder to get around them. The MACH system was basically a MONO, and not even stereo.

The amp is located under the dash, above your right leg, more towards the center of the truck. Its not hard to get to, and is usually silver/metal colored, and will say AMPLIFIER on it.

It will take some time, and if you can get a bypass harness, then do that, but by all means, DO NOT use the factory amp, its not worth it, the aftermarket head unit will have a much better amp in it for the speakers.

 

so the best option is to:

A: run new wire to all the speakers and either use the amp in the headunit or an aftermarket amp.

that looks like the only option.

anthony

 

You need to figure out what plugs are on your factory radio, and what plugs are on your amp.

They make harnesses to bypass the amp. It just takes finding the right one.

http://www.metraonline.com/products.aspx

Go there, and click on "select a vehicle" If you own a 97 F350, use the 96 F350 instead on their list.

They have instuctions online, and pictures of most of their stuff.

You need either of these two part numbers I would imagine.

Metra 70-5605
Metra 70-5514

Both are amp bypasses, but depends on your plugs...