Custom Stereo Questions

Topic: Custom Stereo Questions (Read 1751 times) previous topic - next topic

Custom Stereo Questions

December 17, 2006, 12:24:41 PM

Here's what I'd like to do, I need some advice on how to make it happen:

Retain Factory Cassette
Retain Factory EQ
Eliminate Factory Amplifier, Replace with Aftermarket
Replace all Factory speakers
Add 10-disc CD Changer

Has anyone done something like this? Does it require replacement of all factory speaker wiring? Can the factory stereo be made to work with an aftermarket amp?

Custom Stereo Questions

Reply #1 – December 18, 2006, 05:54:43 PM

There's no way to keep the factory stereo volume control unless you use a FM transmitter/modulator or a tape adapter. You can get it all wired up another way but the money needed would be quite a bit.

Using a source with its own volume control, such as an ipod, its possible but sound quality will suffer due to a lot of additional wiring (and the factory wiring), a switch, relays, etc. An aftermarket amp is simple, just not the cd player.

edit:
here's an example of the complexity of doing something like this. Relays can be used in place of a multi-contact switch but complicates things even further. Custom "Volume control" not shown. Basically a good fm transmitter will be easier than trying to make your own aux input.

http://home.comcast.net/~seekproj/factoryaux.jpg

You can get the general idea and I doubt the colors shown are completely accurate, but close to the correct ones.

Custom Stereo Questions

Reply #2 – December 19, 2006, 11:10:36 AM

I would like to take this moment to endorse ThunderChicken's excellent website, Sam's Fox Thundercats, which has color coded diagrams explaining every facet of every factory sound system available in these cars.

Custom Stereo Questions

Reply #3 – December 19, 2006, 08:58:02 PM

hmmm, I had that page linked until I modified my entire post. Still, keep in mind that the entire "preout" wires use a shared ground. I have a custom "adapter cable" I made before that has rca's already attached with female quick disconnects on the other end (to plug into the 4 preout wires and one ground wire). Not the best work on the thing as I didn't solder it or use anything more than electrical tape to insulate anything, but it worked fine.

I had used 4 sets of speaker wires, connecting the "negatives" all together into one crimp terminal and the other 4 had their own terminals

Custom Stereo Questions

Reply #4 – December 25, 2006, 12:45:07 AM

Not entirely sure why you would wanna keep the factory radio, (unless this a restore?) But what I would do, Is buy an aftermarket casette deck (getting harder to find) and the 10, 12, 20 etc cd changer, use the after market amp.

Would be simpler, would not look to bad.

You can usually find one with a aux in, but if you want factory, you might just have to be creative on it.

Or you can find a newer ford Radio and adapt it.

Might not help, but good luck on what ever you decide to do.

Caution: Might not make complete sense (Did when typed though!) lol