This is stressing me badly...

I just want to replace my stock, non-functioning radio with something with a USB input so that I can carry my music around with me. I don't want to use the word cheap, so an inexpensive unit will suffice.

Anyway, I don't know the first thing about installing a new unit. Again, it's a '85 F150 XL. What's all this crap about installation kits and harnesses? I can swap an engine, work on my suspension, I just swapped my steering column, any other minor to major repair, but this audio issue is making me crazy.

What kind of unit will provide me a relatively painless install experience? What do I need to look for concerning this particular truck?

Any help would be appreciated!!!

Anafiel

 

Does your truck radio have the center piece and then two round ***** on either side? Or does it have one large big hole? I doubt you are going to find a radio with a usb port and the old style shafts sticking out.

If you do have the old style, and can find a old style new radio to fit, you can buy usb adapters that transmit over the FM radio.

 

Let me pull the center bezel tomorrow, and I'll let you know. Thanks.

 

I have a 1986 F150 and I replaced the stereo in it about three months ago. It had been added by PO and was not original, so I don't know which style was supposed to be there. The one I added could go in either style, i.e. the "box style" or where the ***** hold it in (which is how mine was). I found a cheap AM/FM/Cassette with the MP3 input. I didn't have to buy any kits for the installation. So far I have been happy with the radio, although I've only used the AM/FM. It has an analog dial, and doesn't have any preset buttons, but it was cheap. I got it from Walmart using "site-to-store". Here is a link:

Walmart.com: Dual 30-Watt AM/FM Receiver With Auto-Stop Cassette: Auto Electronics

 

go on ebay and type in "shaft radio usb". theres usually a few on there. they come with a 1/8" jack for ipod, a usb, and a memory card slot, all in an old school dual shaft style radio.

 

Being an 85, your truck should have the DIN Radio, which means no traditional ****/shaft, just a few ***** for volume. The bezel will only have one hole for the radio, which should be slightly bigger than an aftermarket head unit. From factory, the original radio is held in by two brackets that are screwed to the radio housing. One on top, one on bottom. These two brackets then bolt onto the dash itself. On the bottom of the radio, there is a springy piece of metal that is in the shape of an "L". This is the radio's ground, and the open end on the back slides onto a support for the dash.

None of this can be easily transferred to an aftermarket radio, so you will need to go to your local auto parts store or car audio store and pick up an installation kit. These contain the brackets and what not necessary to mount an aftermarket radio into one of these trucks. You will also need to pick up the wiring connectors for your specific vehicle from the auto parts store, if the installation kit does not come with them. You can find the wiring connectors in the same aisle as the installation kits. Both the installation kit and the wiring connectors will be year/brand/model specific, so read the containers to see whether or not the kit is right for your vehicle. When you go to add the connectors, you will need to splice the connector to the wires on your aftermarket radio. This will allow you to directly plug your aftermarket radio into the truck's factory radio, instead of hard wiring it. There should be a wiring diagram in the package to tell you which wires to use. If not, come back here and ask. As for the ground for the aftermarket radio, you will have to utilize a dash support for that.

 

Thanks Shaun,

Your description seems to match exactly what I have here. Here is a link to my Photobucket album with all the pics I took this morning.

1985 F-150 Radio Replacement Project pictures by Chastity_Now - Photobucket

As I'm not limited to a shaft style radio, I'll look for the right installation kit and harness for my truck.

Just to make sure though....a "DIN" unit is what I need, right?

Thanks again,

Anafiel

 

hey
im using the wally world radio 2 years now..great
except the clock dont show unless you push a button or its off
dont buy the install kit simpler easier to wire in straight..
make up a rear support i used heavy ga. wire

 

No Problem. DIN is just how you refer to the raido and bezel. Any aftermarket CD player will work for you, as long as you make sure the size is close to what you have now.

Roadrash, the wiring kits are great if you ever want to sell your truck, and keep your aftermarket radio, and plug the original radio back in. It's also a great courtesy to those who will have the truck after you. Alot of us die hard Ford truck enthusiasts don't actually enjoy removing a bezel to find all the wires cut. We like having the connector as it allows us to simply plug and play instead of having to look for all the mistakes a P.O. made. Most of the time, but not all the time, when somebody adds and aftermarket radio, they hack up the wiring to make it work. You can direct wire the radio, but I don't recommend it for someone new to electronics. Adding the supplied connectors in the kits to the radio is pretty fool proof. I don't think it's any harder than direct wiring the radio either. But, that's just my personal opinion.

 

Great!

BTW, do you have any particular installation kit you can recommend?

How about this one?

http://www.installer.com/item/displa...php?it=99-5700

 

i dont want to sell my truck i have a long term plan for it.
ive put apx 3500 into it so far ( including a 69 351w that i put in myself this summer )
i junked the stock radio did not work.
i used the plug that came with the radio, not the kit (soldered in too)
basically used nothing from the kit.
the stuff that came with the radio worked fine.
trying to save Anafiel 16.00

 

i dont want to sell my truck i have a long term plan for it.
ive put apx 3500 into it so far ( including a 69 351 that i put in myself this summer )
i junked the stock radio did not work.
i used the plug that came with the radio, not the kit (soldered in too)
basically used nothing from the kit.
the stuff that came with the radio worked fine.
trying to save Anafiel 16.00

 

All those aftermarket kits suck. All you really need is the wiring plug adapters that 'click' into the existing harness wiring, but the color codes for speakers and power you may have to t-shoot a bit. I bought the $50 Wally World radio special with cd/usb for the same thing. The wiring schematic from the radio manufacture was off.
I basically used the same outside box/frame from the original stereo for the mounting bracket cause all the aftermarket kits NEVER lined up right. Plus a bit of American Ingenuity and my radio worked!

Hope this helps ya!

 

Ehh, different people have different opinions. I didn't use the kits myself either. I went to the junkyard, pulled some connectors, went to Napa, grabbed the proper terminals, and wired it in just as the factory did. But not everybody has the patience to do that.

As far as kit quality goes, Walmart kits will suck. Crutchfield is a pretty reputable place for audio stuff. But in reality, if you can make the factory brackets work, go ahead and do that. Metal > Plastic.

 

OK, so I'll just get the radio first, and see what I have to work with. Believe me, I'm on a tight budget...