After market head unit

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 25, 2016 | 01:43 PM

Telling Zachary Otis

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

After market head unit

I just recently bought a 1975 f250 high boy everything as far as I have ventured so far is as it came off the lot in 1975 other then the angina and possibly the transmission. I plan to do a full restore stripped all the to frame re wire and rust proof everything and replace whatever needs replaced it does currently have a 390 4bbl engine with for spead manual transmission, that I do plan to replace with the more appropriate 360 2bbl that would have been found on it originally. But that will be my final step. I plan to keep everything as original as possible but would like to wire separately and place under the seat a head unit and speakers so I can enjoy more modern amenities such blue tooth and aux. what would be the best way to go about doing this while leaving the factory system still fully operational. Also this is my first full restore and first time working on anything quite this old, so I am open to any advice and tips, and changes I might want to make to make it a lasting and enjoyable ride, as it will be driven quite often once it's done I also have a 1979 f150 explorer package I will be working on next , any major differences I should expect? Would it be smarter to take the two and make them one?

Nov 25, 2016 | 01:55 PM

meangreen92

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 4,217

Likes: 154

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telling Zachary Otis

everything as far as I have ventured so far is as it came off the lot in 1975 other then the angina

I always knew that these trucks had a heart!

You would wire up the new head unit and speakers and amp as a stand-alone system. Your power connections would be the only intrusions to the truck. Are you planning on pulling the radio from under the seat when driving? You would want a good wiring harness to stand up to that repeated movement, and definitely some good strain-relief for each end of the harness. I plan to mount a radio under my dash, so as to avoid cutting my radio-delete dash bezel.

Welcome to the site, and we like pics here..

Nov 25, 2016 | 02:06 PM

Telling Zachary Otis

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Have the head unit stationary probably snug between the bench and the tranny hump, then just run all the music through my iPhone. With a speaker under each seat maybe even smaller on or two in the back of the seat, but I'm not sure how that would sound bouncing of the gas tank, especially once it gets low. I just want it all to be out of plain sight.

Nov 25, 2016 | 02:07 PM

krazyness

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 279

Likes: 0

From: spokane

Somebody else will have to chime in with brand/website (or you can try Google) but there are aftermarket radios that retain the vintage look that will fit into the factory location and look era correct but will give you the modern day amenities that you're looking for.

Also, why downsize to a 360? The 360 and 390 are technically the same engine, just different stroke.

Nov 25, 2016 | 03:27 PM

Telling Zachary Otis

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

I'm not interested in something that looks like a date period stereo no offense. It has the original radio that came in it and it works perfectly fine and I love it even though I'll probably never use the thing. I got it to restore to as close to original as I can get it. I'm in no rush. I'm currently waiting for the build sheet for my vin to see what it exactly and I'll go from there. But at $600 for complete 75 4x4 with a mint condition interior (can't say the same about the body) I want to down size to the 360 because as far as I have read the 75 f250 only came with the 360 and the 460 engine options. Please correct me if I'm wrong. But it could be the 360 could be a 460 I'm not entirely sure how to tell the difference

Nov 25, 2016 | 03:51 PM

meangreen92

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 4,217

Likes: 154

I think the High Boys only came with the 360 and the 300 straight six. A 360, being an FE, will have the inboard valve cover bolts threaded into the intake manifold.

Nov 25, 2016 | 04:21 PM

Telling Zachary Otis

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Nov 2016

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

I'll have to look. My uncle who I bought it from said he was pretty sure it was the 390 or the 460, something about the short little hose running out of the top the water pump into the engine. I don't know anything about that though. I havnt even brought it home yet. Just went and looked at it and bought. I've only ever worked on my 88 f150 and I've damn near rebuilt the thing

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Joe Kucinski

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Brett Foote

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Joe Kucinski

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

Brett Foote

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Michael S. Palmer

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Verdad Gallardo

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Joe Kucinski

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Brett Foote

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Michael S. Palmer

Nov 25, 2016 | 06:54 PM

krazyness

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 279

Likes: 0

From: spokane

Well, you can't tell the difference between a 360 and a 390 just by looking at it. You would have to measure the stroke to be sure. A 460 is a completely different engine series which makes it easy to tell the difference just by looking at it (if you know what to look for). As far as factory spec engine, assuming it rolled off the line with a front axle (4x4) its gonna be a 360. No 4x4 got a 390 from the factory but, since they are the same engine, its very easy to convert a 360 to a 390 or vice versa.

I understand your desire to keep everything original but if you're gonna put an aftermarket stereo in anyway, I don't see the harm in using one of the "classic" styled modern radios to keep things more simple. Too each their own though.