OK - it's literally been decades since I did a radio swap to a non-OEM radio. So I'm looking around a Double Din radios with a LCD screen, mostly because I want to install a backup camera. I've found a few on Ebay that, based on the description, sound like pretty decent units and they are reasonably priced (in the $200 range). So if I get one, what else do I need... most specifically, do I need a wiring harness?

 

Yes. Get a wire harness adapter for your truck. Car Audio shops, circuit city, best buy, etc will have it. $15-20 IIRC. What it does is plug into your factory harness and give you loose wires to hook to your new unit. No cutting factory wires and it lets you do all the new unit hook up on the workbench, instead of with your feet on the headrest and your head under dash...

One more thing. Your '01 does not have a double-din head unit. (I know, it LOOKS like it is ) You will have to modify the opening in dash a bit a engineer your own mounting/securing - but it is doable. I have an Eclipse DD head unit in my '01 F350.

$200 , are you serious? I know the prices on that stuff has come down, but thats pretty cheap! Hope the quality doesn't diminish the value of your rig! Just kidding. I would be concerned it will work for long enough to be a 'real' value though.

 

I hopefully will be doing my rear camera install this weekend - weather permitting.

I bought one of those double din units off of ebay last December and I just ripped it out and replaced it with a JVC unit. The one off of ebay (I don't remember the actual brand) was very noisy - electrically speaking - and used to turn on/off by itself. In my opinion, you're better off saving your money and putting it towards a quality unit. The JVC KW-AVX810 can be purchased for under $500 and among other things, is set up and ready for a back-up camera. It also has a 7" touch screen and is the only model out there where the whole screen is detachable and can be removed from the vehicle when not in use. I realize that it's more than twice the price of what you would pay for one of the ebay units, but as I've been there and done that, the JVC is well worth the extra money and it will save you a lot of frustration down the road.

The install is relatively simple, but as mentioned above, you will need a dremel to enlarge the factory radio opening in the dash bezel so that it will allow a true double din unit to slide through. A universal bracket kit from Radio Shack will provide you with all that you will need to fabricate a bracket to hold the new radio in place (wth the exception of a few short pan head, self tapping screws that you will need).

Good luck with what ever you chooose. A good resource when it comes to the installation are the forums on Car Alarm, Car Stereo, Mobile Video, and Cruise Control Info for Installers.

Brian

 

Great... I didn't want to have to cut/mod the dash to install it - Thanks Ford!

I was wondering about the quality of those $200 ebay items. I looked around and can't find too much about them as far as customer feedback. So, yeah, it kind of make me hesitant.

I'll probably go with a stand alone screen for the back up camera for now and hold out for a good head unit.

Thanks for the replies.

 

Scosche and BestKits make install kits, there really isn't much to file off, but it is a bit... You will not be using the deck's cage though like you would in most cars/trucks.

 

I actually used a razor knife to trim my dash peice. The part(s) you need to 'shave' are not really visible once the unit is in place. No dremel tool 'cause I was out of town working when I got headunit and couldn't wait 'till I got home to install it! I actually had a scoche (sp?) install kit, but took it back after using none of it for install. For my install, I made a couple little 'L' brackets out of thin alum and mad a 'strap' for the rear. Lemme know if ya want me to yank dash peice loose and snap a picture for you... (since I was so RUDE and INCONSIDERATE to my fellow FTE members and did not photo document my install so I could HELP others later... - can I give myself a negative rep for that???)