stereo/speaker installation?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
stereo/speaker installation?
I just got my new speakers and headunit in the mail. For the wiring connector that I purchased I noticed that the connection that fit was the one that was just 12v, constant etc. I have another connector that is for all my speakers. I am curious as to where I could find the other plug or if that was even the case. The radio install kit I had was in a box when I purchased the truck so the connections could be for the wrong year (although the box read as covering my year).
I also am curious as to what size trim plate I need to order, my current stereo is pretty skinny din I think, if that matters. I found two different ones from JC Whitney that are supposed to fit, but I was not sure which one I needed.
Lastly, in wiring up my speakers I can't seem to find the speaker connection wire, I suspect that perhaps the OEM speakers used a different setup then what I am using now. I find a single wire with a plug in, but I have no dual plug in deal. Any ideas there?
I also am curious as to what size trim plate I need to order, my current stereo is pretty skinny din I think, if that matters. I found two different ones from JC Whitney that are supposed to fit, but I was not sure which one I needed.
Lastly, in wiring up my speakers I can't seem to find the speaker connection wire, I suspect that perhaps the OEM speakers used a different setup then what I am using now. I find a single wire with a plug in, but I have no dual plug in deal. Any ideas there?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
I do not know if this will help. I made my own wire harness and ran better wires for all my speakers. I used a four wire flat trailer wire for my ground, power, and memory. I also removed my dashpad, kick panels, and door thresh hold plates to run my cd changer and amp wires for my bazooka. The amp wires are run on one side of the truck and my speaker wires are run on the other side. If you do not have door speakers and need the rubber sleeve to run them through from the cab to the door, look in the junkyard for the newer era trucks up to 96.
I did not want to risk overloading the older wires for my radio. I find that I have no shorts or worries of bad connections by doing it that way.
I did not want to risk overloading the older wires for my radio. I find that I have no shorts or worries of bad connections by doing it that way.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
Very true, that would have been an option, but I recently put the dash back together and don't feel like tearing it apart again. In terms of the wiring for the door speakers, am I missing something or is there really only one wire for it?
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
If I'm understanding you correctly, I think your best shot (besides a junkyard or local car stereo shops) will be Crutchfield.
Alternatively, THIS PAGE sends you to HERE.
Pictures help a LOT *hint* *hint* *hint*
Alternatively, THIS PAGE sends you to HERE.
Pictures help a LOT *hint* *hint* *hint*
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
there may be, there was some goofy way of doing it by running one wire to the speaker and grounding the other. My suggestion is to run your own speaker wires just strap them up under the dash where they will be hidden and thread them in through the rubber sleeve in the door hinge. Other than speaker wires you only really need 3 connections (constant hot, acc hot, and ground) just find the two hots and make yourself a ground. As for the dash kit just go to the junk yard and get the bezel out of a newer year 85/86?? and it should fit right in. The one i got was the right year but had been hacked up so i cut the whole larger than needed and filled the space with a black trim ring i made. Check out my gallery for pics
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 2
From: Prairieville, La
It is very easy to remove the dashpad. Everything is accessible from the top of the dash. If you are like me and have big hands, you will not risk pulling something apart reaching under the dash to get wires.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
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Very true. I guess I shall see what I need to do tomorrow. Damn tired after a straight up timing chain install, doubt I'll ever do that job again lol.
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Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
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Likes: 40
Hey guys,
I just wired up the stereo with just my right speaker to see if it works. I ran the speakers and those are correct. I then found a connection that matched up with my metra install kit, my metra had 4 wires, but the connection that I plugged into had two. So long story short my radio had no power at key on. So, I really need a wiring diagram I tried my Ford electrical book but it doesn't label the wires just calls them "assemblys" which doesn't help me a whole lot. I found another connection that has about 8 wires it is likely the one I need but the connector on the end has circular pins in it, which I believe are plastic. I would try to hard wire into that by removing the connection but I need to figure out what that leads to. Even if someone could show me what the connection on the rear of the stock stereo is that would help me a lot. My truck is a 1984 FORD f250 with the **** and pin style radio, it was cassette am/fm. Its totally stock in terms of the wiring no previous owner tried to hack into it, which is why I am trying my best to figure it out.
I just wired up the stereo with just my right speaker to see if it works. I ran the speakers and those are correct. I then found a connection that matched up with my metra install kit, my metra had 4 wires, but the connection that I plugged into had two. So long story short my radio had no power at key on. So, I really need a wiring diagram I tried my Ford electrical book but it doesn't label the wires just calls them "assemblys" which doesn't help me a whole lot. I found another connection that has about 8 wires it is likely the one I need but the connector on the end has circular pins in it, which I believe are plastic. I would try to hard wire into that by removing the connection but I need to figure out what that leads to. Even if someone could show me what the connection on the rear of the stock stereo is that would help me a lot. My truck is a 1984 FORD f250 with the **** and pin style radio, it was cassette am/fm. Its totally stock in terms of the wiring no previous owner tried to hack into it, which is why I am trying my best to figure it out.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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first of all DONT hook your stereo up to wires when you dont know what they do!! Its dead simple to install a stereo. Get a test light and find the wires you need. out of the harness that the old stereo plugged into will be the two necessary that you need, one constant hot and the other ignition hot. Constant hot will make the test light glow in any key position including off. Then find the acc hot, the test light will glow in key positions acc and on. Then crimp a ring connector onto the ground wire and screw it down to a good metal surface behind the dash. These are all the wires needed to make the unit function then all you need to do is run speaker wire into the doors and your all set
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Green/yellow-stripe == always-on power for clocks & memory & such
Light blue/red-stripe == dimmable dash backlighting
Yellow/black-dash == switched, fused, key-on power
Black == ground
Te other connector is for speakers.
Light blue/red-stripe == dimmable dash backlighting
Yellow/black-dash == switched, fused, key-on power
Black == ground
Te other connector is for speakers.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Does that code carry over to 80s Rangers and Bronco II's?..........Some Einstein HACKED the wire harnesses on my 87 Bronco II that I am restoring............What a mess.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
I guess its easier to take a large wire cutters and trash the harness than to reach around the back of the radio and un-plug it...........Intelligence is getting less and less common these days.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
I ran a test light and found constant on and I have a good ground. I found that a bunch of my wires there are constant on which is weird in in of itself. I tried my stereo and it won't work, I tried another stereo and it wont work. I don't think my truck wants a stereo in it.