350 Stereo Install
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350 Stereo Install
I have posted this same question in the Audio forum but since it is F350 related and we have so much more traffic than the audio I thought I would double post.
I am installing a DDX7015 in my F350 and I need to find a good always on wire to tap into. (The deck has a secondary power requirement outside of the normal stereo always on wire)
Anyone know of a good wire to use that is close to the HU and easy to tap.
I am installing a DDX7015 in my F350 and I need to find a good always on wire to tap into. (The deck has a secondary power requirement outside of the normal stereo always on wire)
Anyone know of a good wire to use that is close to the HU and easy to tap.
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From: Back in the TX Coast
I have the same head unit just haven't gotten around to installing it i did not realize the need for an extra power.... i bought a pig tail from crutchfieid and just wired it up and it connects to the existing ford pigtail 
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Villa Rica, GA
in my truck theres some customer access wires just to the right of the steering column, they are there to add accessories, one of them is always on. they are taped up to a harness to the right of the column and have tags hanging off them labeled customer access.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
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From: Ada, Michigan
What year is your 350? I dont know the answer to your question, but I looked at the same deck in August and was told it wouldnt fit in the dash of my 2004 F250. Is your truck a double DIN or a DIN and a half? It's a great deck and I would love to revisit replacing my factory 6-disc.
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From: Valdez, Alaska
I have to be honest I not sure what brand a DDX7015 is. I got a factory pigtail also from Crutchfield.com. I have constant power to my stereo for the clock and other memory items. They also can size your vehicle and send the an adapter to install the stereo into the dash.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2004
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From: Ada, Michigan
The DDX7015 is a Kenwood. I used the sizing guide at Crutchfield and it told me that head unit will not fit in my F250. I was pretty bummed and am still using the factory 6-disc and an FM modulated Sirius receiver when I can find an unused FM channel to receive it on. Anxious to hear how TN_jeep get's it in the dash.
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Well I finished the install yesterday and I will try and get some pics today.
Snowback, My truck is a 2003. The DDX fits nicely, but you do have to modify the factory opening slightly. If you pull the factory HU you will see a small lip around the dash opening. You will need to trim this off. (I used a dremel and it took about 10 minutes). Once you do this the new unit will slide right in, just make sure you mount to the factory stabilizer.
The factory 6 disc changer covers the entire opening so you can still reinstall the factory stereo if you ever sell the truck..
Now, the wiring.
The DDX has a second power/ground harness that does not plug into the factory harness. This harness contains a yellow (always on), a black (Ground), and a green wire (Parking brake). I ended up tapping into the existing stereo always on line. The Parking Brake and ground can be grounded anywhere. I used the support bar running right behind the dash that has a predrilled tab on it.
Overall, I am very happy with the setup.
Snowback, My truck is a 2003. The DDX fits nicely, but you do have to modify the factory opening slightly. If you pull the factory HU you will see a small lip around the dash opening. You will need to trim this off. (I used a dremel and it took about 10 minutes). Once you do this the new unit will slide right in, just make sure you mount to the factory stabilizer.
The factory 6 disc changer covers the entire opening so you can still reinstall the factory stereo if you ever sell the truck..
Now, the wiring.
The DDX has a second power/ground harness that does not plug into the factory harness. This harness contains a yellow (always on), a black (Ground), and a green wire (Parking brake). I ended up tapping into the existing stereo always on line. The Parking Brake and ground can be grounded anywhere. I used the support bar running right behind the dash that has a predrilled tab on it.
Overall, I am very happy with the setup.
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I updated my gallery to include a couple of pics of the DDX7015. I still need to fabricate a trim ring.
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Originally Posted by TheSnowback
Wow!!! Great info. Do you have any ideas on what to do about the trim? How is the sound? Do you still have the factory speakers installed or did you replace those too?
)I believe that an 04 F150 double din trim ring will work with some minor trimming. I will post some new pics when I have a chance to work on the trim. I had already replaced all the stock speakers with pioneer 6x8 4 ways all running on deck power. I also added an MTX thunder 502 amp and 2 8 inch bazooka tubes (still deciding what to do for good set of subs). Prior to the ddx7015 I was running an MP-425 deck. The ddx 7015 has a few more tuning features so the sound is a little better. Overall it sounds good, not competition quality but I am to old for that anyway.
I am running 35x12.50 X-terrains and Pro Comp wheels w/a 3.5 edge leveling kit.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Sweet Home Alabama
I am still looking for a DVD screen for the driver and was looking at the Pioneer or Alpine in dash motorized screens. Did you pay the price that Crutchfield is asking? That is a bit of dough. Does the unit play dvd while you are in gear? Most will not due to safety but I found a place to get an adapter to allow full use.
Where in SD are you? I am from Sioux Falls and stationed (Army) in Alabama. Today I start my road trip to SD with only a portable DVD player and 2 screens. One screen is nicely placed on the cup holder in front while wires and bungee hold it in place.
Where in SD are you? I am from Sioux Falls and stationed (Army) in Alabama. Today I start my road trip to SD with only a portable DVD player and 2 screens. One screen is nicely placed on the cup holder in front while wires and bungee hold it in place.
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From: Happy Valley, Oregon
nice stereo for igotoneforya
A great stereo for igotoneforya would be the pioneer AVIC-N1. I put one in my truck and just love it. It has a 7" screen with DVD player and built in Navigation for that road trip your on. I added the back up camera and TV tuner for it. A great deck for the road. Yes you can wire it so you can drive with it on. There is a light green wire the goes to the emergency brake pedal, all you have to do is cut that wire and ground it. That should be how most all of them work.
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From: Sweet Home Alabama
That is one that I was looking at but shy away at the price. HHGregg is coming down on them ($1699) and they have the older P6600 at $1000. I talked with the local guys here (best buy, circuit city, tweeter, car toys) and only car toys could hook up the screen to play while driving, but it takes a $30 part from Korea or Japan or something to make it work and they would not get more until mid Jan. Of course the chain stores like best buy and circuit city said no but if is only a wire change, they all should know it but I understand about not doing it. One guy at best buy install said he is waiting on his part to come in to fix his screen. If the guy that does the install has not made his work while driving, I figured it must be tough. I do not think it is money since he has a new F150 lowered with 22s and about $5K into the stereo. Since I could not get it the way I wanted before the trip, I will wait for the after Christmas sales.