Radio Question
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 194
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From: Wyandotte, MI
Radio Question
Ok guys, I have a 78 f250 custom that I'm thinking about putting a new radio and door speakers in. I have no brand preference to either but I want co axles speakers in the doors. My question is do I need a new wiring harness for the radio? And am I going to have to run new wire to the speakers? The radio I have now is an aftermarket AM/FM Cassette from the 80s and the one I want to put in is CD MP3 Aux input and maybe a couple other things. Also if anyone has any wiring diagrams they can post I would much appreciate it.
Thanks for your time
Thanks for your time
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
I would probably run new wire, route it the same way as stock so everything looks nice. My truck has the single speaker and an AM radio so I don't know how your wiring looks but I recall some other 70's vehicles sharing a ground or something on the speakers? It was strange to me but I don't quite recall. Since you are going so new, replacement wiring sound like the best rule of thumb. Plus on our trucks; it is so easy to work on...why not.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
You will need to wire the radio yourself, unless you can reuse what the previous owner did. Unlike later-model vehicles, the signals you need for the radio are in different pigtails. It is not like newer vehicles that have a full-featured, dedicated pigtail to which you install an adapter.
There is a single GREEN female connector that has a YELLOW with BLACK stripe wire and BLUE with RED stripe wire for switched radio power and dash illumination, respectively. This was for the original radio, and may be gone if a previous owner has rewired things. Most modern head units also need constant power, which you can pull from a three-terminal accessory pigtail behind the glove box (GREEN with YELLOW stripe wire). The original radio grounded through its mounting bracket; you can attach the ground of your new head unit's harness to a dash mounting bolt.
If you don't already have speakers in your doors, you'll need to drill holes for the wiring in the doors and pillars, install grommets, run conduit, and lay the new wiring. I have some pictures in my gallery of mine.
There is a single GREEN female connector that has a YELLOW with BLACK stripe wire and BLUE with RED stripe wire for switched radio power and dash illumination, respectively. This was for the original radio, and may be gone if a previous owner has rewired things. Most modern head units also need constant power, which you can pull from a three-terminal accessory pigtail behind the glove box (GREEN with YELLOW stripe wire). The original radio grounded through its mounting bracket; you can attach the ground of your new head unit's harness to a dash mounting bolt.
If you don't already have speakers in your doors, you'll need to drill holes for the wiring in the doors and pillars, install grommets, run conduit, and lay the new wiring. I have some pictures in my gallery of mine.
New User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I just ripped out all the old stuff and started putting my 2 kicker Marine speakers and 10 inch kicker sub. None of its gonna go in perfect and it would be best to put in new speaker wire cause you'll get better sound quality. I'm not a fan of installing stereos, but it was fairly easy to replace everything. Good Luck!!!
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