Radio wiring
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 313
Likes: 8
From: Wyotana
Radio wiring
I've had this '88 F-250 for 3.5 years w/o a radio. The radio install has finally come up on mt "To Do" list and I have no idea what wires to look for in the dash.
What color wires do I need to find in the radio hole in my dash?? I am doing a basic install w/ just the 2 front speakers.
What color wires do I need to find in the radio hole in my dash?? I am doing a basic install w/ just the 2 front speakers.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Occidental, CA
Here is all the wire colors you wil have in there.
Truck
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Green/Yellow
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow/Black
Car Radio Ground Wire: Red or Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Blue/Red
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Size: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Location: N/A
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Orange/Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black/White
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White/Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black/White
Truck
Car Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Green/Yellow
Car Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow/Black
Car Radio Ground Wire: Red or Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Blue/Red
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Size: N/A
Car Audio Front Speakers Location: N/A
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Orange/Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black/White
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): White/Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Black/White
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
You can buy a pigtail for radio connections that plugs into the harness with NO cutting.
I used this:
FRYS.com*|*METRA
Do your on research. I did this YEARS ago.
I used this:
FRYS.com*|*METRA
Do your on research. I did this YEARS ago.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
Sorry, did not see your post. Did not intend to step on your toes. Our posts were at the same time.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 2
From: Elk City, OK
I wasn't so lucky. Mine was already whacked off and hacked up.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 19
From: Central Wisconsin
When I was selling new Ford's I got the job of doing new radio installs in our price leader stuff like shorty 4X2 Rangers, Escort Ponies and such… had to keep the price low to compete with the big city dealers. Occasionally a young buyer would not opt for a dealer installed radio preferring to get a 'system'… then come back a week later after they had cut damn near every wire under the dash looking for speaker wires that weren't factory installed…
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
this site has the pinout for the wires into the 2 plugs.
The Install Doctor - Radio Wire Harness and Colors - Ford Lincoln Mercury
The Install Doctor - Radio Wire Harness and Colors - Ford Lincoln Mercury
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 19
From: Central Wisconsin
I'm in the middle of getting a new radio in my wife's Miata… of course the factory stuff is long gone… and some PO wired in a pair of aftermarket speakers with household wiring…
Years ago I had a cheapo Ranger 4X2 that kept blowing tail light fuses… finally figured out that the fuse would pop when I adjusted the speaker fade front to rear… HUH? Some DA wired the rear speakers into the tail light wiring so when I turned on the rear speakers the tail light hot wire would ground blowing the fuse!
Years ago I had a cheapo Ranger 4X2 that kept blowing tail light fuses… finally figured out that the fuse would pop when I adjusted the speaker fade front to rear… HUH? Some DA wired the rear speakers into the tail light wiring so when I turned on the rear speakers the tail light hot wire would ground blowing the fuse!
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Green Valley, AZ
Yes definitely get the pigtails with the harness connectors. It will save you time, make for a cleaner install, and it is much easier. I just had to deal with my harness in a 92 F250 (to install a new stereo) because somebody hacked the connectors off to do an install. The wires were left pretty short! You can get the harness at Crutchfield or Frys, as someone already suggested.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 313
Likes: 8
From: Wyotana
I picked up the wiring install kit from O'Reily's. It was only $12 or so. I just don't know what wires get connected to the kit plugs. The wires in my dash have been cut. With all the info you guys provided (especially firegod 75 and tjc transport), I should be able to get this checked off my list.
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