radio install
 

:-arrghWell i got around to install a new din radio and followed FMC400's advice and followed his pictures and built a bracket by using a dremel and cutting out mine. the problem is that it doesn't fit!!!!!! The air or heat ducts are directly behind it on the left side dont know what to do has anyone ever ran into this 78 f150 custom w/ a.c.

I had the same trouble. I had thought about making a spacer so the radio wouldn't slide back as far but thought that it might look goofy so what I did was slide the radio back and eyeball where the radio hits the duct and then take the duct out. Kind of a pain to take out, but not too bad. Than I took a heat gun and carefully heated the duct up in the area enough so I could indent it a bit. (I used a small mallet to indent). Have to be careful not to heat it too much or it will melt a hole in it. It took me a few times to heat, push down with a hammer (or whatever), let it cool and then do it over again. I managed to get the duct indented enough so my radio fit just fine.

The other thing you could do is cut out part of the duct and then form a piece of plastic or fiberglass to cover the hole. I thought that'd be too much work so I went the heat up route.

Or you could find an older truck with A/C that uses the flexible hose instead of the hard plastic ducting and switch it out. I'd rather have the hard stuff because it won't rot away. Or maybe make your own flexible duct.

I had my brand new dash bezel cut and everything before I found out the radio hit the ducting.

i really dont remember having trouble w the a/c duct i think the only problem i had was the original radio braket needed to b tweakd

^^^^^ I've also heard other guys not having trouble either, so I don't know if it would be brand/style of radio or what. This guy even makes a bracket and states the bracket helps clear the a/c ducting. I have to believe it's style of radio though.

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yea man it probally has a lot to do with the style radio ur using all i use is pioneer i love these radios but thats just me so good luck guys on ur installs

My truck has A/C, but the bracket still fits. If I were to push the radio as far back as it could go, it will hit the duct work. You can see in the picture below that the radio face plate is not completely flush with the bracket surface; it protrudes out slightly. However, you can see in the second photo that once installed, it is still positioned comfortably. I also am using a Pionner radio, so I'm not sure if other head units may be longer than what I have.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=14786

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=14783

I used a sony radio, so that may be some of the difference. I almost got it to fit late last night but then i looked and saw that my bracket was as long as the radio and cutting wires in the back against the ductwork so i got to remove the unit and cut some off. Will try again today. THANKS for the info fellas, always nice to read replys. Also FMC 400 I didn't see that you had the face set forward in the photos, may have to start over and do it your way!

I did my Pioneer unit the same as FMC and it fit fine...........just read that yours is an A/C truck. Mine isn't............I had to use the heat and push it in method on my 72 Chevelle however when I installed the DIN radio in it................worked fine.............

It has to be a difference in radio. Mine is also a pioneer, but still hit the ductwork. My bracket isn't as fancy as FMC's, but the same concept. When I pushed my radio in, it hit before making contact with the dash bezel leaving a gap. It wasn't much but very noticeable.

air conditioning is overrated :)