Tricky stereo system install
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27
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Tricky stereo system install
Hope somebody can help out a 'new guy' with a tricky installation here.
It may sound funny but I have this asperation of driving my 94 F150 forever and being one of those old men with the mint condition old truck that everybody stares at. I want to keep the appearance mostly stock and that's my problem with the stereo system. I still have the stock am/fm radio in the dash and would like to keep it there and keep it functional.
I want to install an 'invisible' cd system either by mounting and powering a hidden second head unit or by installing a changer under/behind the seat w/ an FM modulator. My question is, a.) which route does everyone think will be the easisest and, b.) what do I have to do to locate the proper ignition switch/battery/remote turn-on, etc. wiring?
I think that the easiest thing to do would be to install a whole second head unit in a hidden location (inside modified glovebox or something) as all I would have to locate as far as wiring would be battery and ignition leads. How can I do this AND keep my factory radio functional or is that even possible?
If I go the cd changer w/FM modulator route, how would I go about connecting amps to the stock head unit or could that even be done?
I know this sounds crazy but any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
It may sound funny but I have this asperation of driving my 94 F150 forever and being one of those old men with the mint condition old truck that everybody stares at. I want to keep the appearance mostly stock and that's my problem with the stereo system. I still have the stock am/fm radio in the dash and would like to keep it there and keep it functional.
I want to install an 'invisible' cd system either by mounting and powering a hidden second head unit or by installing a changer under/behind the seat w/ an FM modulator. My question is, a.) which route does everyone think will be the easisest and, b.) what do I have to do to locate the proper ignition switch/battery/remote turn-on, etc. wiring?
I think that the easiest thing to do would be to install a whole second head unit in a hidden location (inside modified glovebox or something) as all I would have to locate as far as wiring would be battery and ignition leads. How can I do this AND keep my factory radio functional or is that even possible?
If I go the cd changer w/FM modulator route, how would I go about connecting amps to the stock head unit or could that even be done?
I know this sounds crazy but any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
not to be mean, but i dont understand why in the world you would want to hide a nice stereo, if you really want to keep it for nastalgia, get an adapter for your wiring harness, so you can just pop the old stereo back in when you want. If you put in a totaly different system seperate from the factory wiring it'll be a pain in the butt, its possible, but it'll take alot of time, and fabricating skills. So my advice is to just put in an aftermarket stereo and keep the old one, it wont be "a collectors item" for a while, and its a ford truck, use it!!
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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yeah, I know
Yeah, told you it'd sound funny. I know that my truck's no collector item and she definitely gets used. I guess it's just my **** retentive streak wanting to do things the hard way.
I have decent fabricating skills and basic wiring knowledge. I guess I was just hoping that someone might have done something similar and could point out a less complex way of doing it.
You've definitley got a point, though.
Thanks for the input
I have decent fabricating skills and basic wiring knowledge. I guess I was just hoping that someone might have done something similar and could point out a less complex way of doing it.
You've definitley got a point, though.
Thanks for the input
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
If you are looking for the easiest solution, while keeping the factory radio intact, then I vote for the changer/FM modulator route. I haven't installed one in over 10 years, but I believe it is only a 3-4 wire hookup, and can be easily hidden.
Besides some of the issues outlined in previous posts, putting a second head unit in a hidden position is probably going to make it hard to reach while driving(a real pain to adjust the volume, change stations, load discs, etc.) unless you have a center console you could mount it in.
Besides some of the issues outlined in previous posts, putting a second head unit in a hidden position is probably going to make it hard to reach while driving(a real pain to adjust the volume, change stations, load discs, etc.) unless you have a center console you could mount it in.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,665
Likes: 0
From: B/CS, Texas!!
Do the Cd changer thing. The glovebox might be a good spot. To get the ignition-turn on wire, I would tap into the Ignition-turn-on wire on the back of the OEM radio.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 51
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From: Austin
Personally I would say, just like everyone else, just put in a new one and once you and the car are old and you dont care anymore, swap it back out. The quality and ease of use will be well worth the other trade-offs. However I understand that sometimes you just want to do things a certain way and Im not gonna knock that, the cd changer route would definetly be easiest, just buy an fm modulater and wire it up, most will come with plenty of directions that anyone could figure out. If you were to choose to go the dual h.u. route then you would definetly need a relay and switch to choose between the two head units. If you decide on going this route then I can draw up a relay diagram for you and help you with wiring, I always enjoy helping another ford guy. Have you considered just switching to a different ford h.u., if you are just looking for cd playback then maybe you should just go for the oem cd player, wouldn't be "stock" by definition, but nobody would know the difference, I know there was a factory cd player in 94 (although in my experience with it it was terrible). Good luck with everything.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 462
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From: Barrington USA
I don't know the name of the company but there is a company that makes a product just like your looking for, it keeps the look of the orignal stereo and hides the cd somewhere else on the truck
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by MP1
Hope somebody can help out a 'new guy' with a tricky installation here.
It may sound funny but I have this asperation of driving my 94 F150 forever and being one of those old men with the mint condition old truck that everybody stares at. I want to keep the appearance mostly stock and that's my problem with the stereo system. I still have the stock am/fm radio in the dash and would like to keep it there and keep it functional.
I want to install an 'invisible' cd system either by mounting and powering a hidden second head unit or by installing a changer under/behind the seat w/ an FM modulator. My question is, a.) which route does everyone think will be the easisest and, b.) what do I have to do to locate the proper ignition switch/battery/remote turn-on, etc. wiring?
I think that the easiest thing to do would be to install a whole second head unit in a hidden location (inside modified glovebox or something) as all I would have to locate as far as wiring would be battery and ignition leads. How can I do this AND keep my factory radio functional or is that even possible?
If I go the cd changer w/FM modulator route, how would I go about connecting amps to the stock head unit or could that even be done?
I know this sounds crazy but any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
It may sound funny but I have this asperation of driving my 94 F150 forever and being one of those old men with the mint condition old truck that everybody stares at. I want to keep the appearance mostly stock and that's my problem with the stereo system. I still have the stock am/fm radio in the dash and would like to keep it there and keep it functional.
I want to install an 'invisible' cd system either by mounting and powering a hidden second head unit or by installing a changer under/behind the seat w/ an FM modulator. My question is, a.) which route does everyone think will be the easisest and, b.) what do I have to do to locate the proper ignition switch/battery/remote turn-on, etc. wiring?
I think that the easiest thing to do would be to install a whole second head unit in a hidden location (inside modified glovebox or something) as all I would have to locate as far as wiring would be battery and ignition leads. How can I do this AND keep my factory radio functional or is that even possible?
If I go the cd changer w/FM modulator route, how would I go about connecting amps to the stock head unit or could that even be done?
I know this sounds crazy but any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Good luck.
Enjoy FTE
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Monterey bay area
for 94 I believe Ford offered their CD player (indash) as an option....why not go this route? hide a 4 ch amp under the seat and hide your speakers in the stock locations.
look= stock
price = good
look= stock
price = good
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
If you really really want to keep your stereo, then the easiest way would probably be to get a CD changer with an FM modulator, then tap into the ignition wire for the stereo, and all you have to do is turn your radio to the radio frequency the cd changers on.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Highland, TX
Originally Posted by MP1
I want to install an 'invisible' cd system
http://www.custom-autosound.com/secretaudio.php
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
I have a feeling this is where its all headed anyways. Trunk mount, wireless remote with all the controls built on to it. No more HU's to steal cause the remote goes in your pocket. Besides the HU need's to be next to the Amp to start with.