I need to replace the radio in my '97 PSD F-250 HD Extended Cab XLT. It has the factory amplifier. I can't find the wiring adapters that will allow me to use the factory connectors. I found the power supply adaptor at Crutchfield but nothing for the pre-amp speaker wires. Anyone know a source? Thanks for any help, PK.

 

Crutchfield should have what you need. They did when I ordered my new head unit a few months back. They should offer two different adapters, one with the factory amp and one without. The one I got is the one listed as Part number 120705008 "Ford/Mazda Wire Harness receiver, w/ amp bypass". They generally recommend that you don't use the factory amp when you replace the head unit, and the wiring harness above bypasses it.

 

Thanks, I'll get back to Crutchfield. PK

 

So with the amp bypassed, how did you connect the speaker wires? I just swapped head units in my truck and had to swap adapters because Whitey did not have the factory amp and PDE does. The connector for the speaker wiring is what is different and I couldn't see where or how I could connect the speaker harness for the non-amplifier adapter without cutting/splicing the factory harness or running all new wires to the speakers.

 

I ended up not using the factory amp bypass harness that came with my order as my truck didn't have the factory amp. I had the non- amp harness and just got the other one because I wasn't sure what I needed. My understanding from the included instructions were that the harness actually connects to the output side of the amp harness and essentially bypasses the amp all together. So essentially it just plugs in in place of the amp and connects to the speakers.

Just curious too, what does PDE (the new truck) stand for?

 

my truck came with the factory amp when i replaced my head unit there was alot of head scratching trying to figure it out how to wire it, never could get it to make sound untill i ran new wiring to all the speakers..

 

Although not a fullsize truck, my sonʻs 97 Explorer had the same issue.

His truck has a factory amp, but the adapter kit he ended up buying

was called a PREMIUM sound adapter kit. Not even the listed for the truck,

the person (at an installation shop) led him to the correct kit.

After that it was just plug and play. My son finished the installation

in a matter of minutes.

 

Long story short... my friend that looked at the truck for me pre-purchase sent me some pics and the stripe looked like it was dark blue in the photos and when he said it was green I thought he was messing with me. He kept razzing me about it and referred to it as "b!tch blue" at one point, my retort was "no numb nuts it's panty dropper green, its sexy!"
Hence PDE, panty dropper express, was born.
You may now return to your regularly scheduled topic

 

That's hilarious! PDE (pronounced like Petey) it is!

 

The factory ford amp in our trucks is pretty good and not an issue to use.

Your only getting 12-15 watts of actual power out of the head units depending on how cheap of one you buy.

Only reason to bypass our factory amp is if you are using a 4 channel amp, which isn't really necessary in our trucks if you have the ford factory amp.

 

Nice! I swore that stripe looked dark blue. All this time that is what I think every time.

 

No sir, it's most definitely panty dropper green. You gotta see her in person to believe it