Factory CD Stereo in 2000 F-150...

[thekidrocks]

Bougt a one-owner used 2000 F-150 - clean truck, with a JUNK aftermarket stereo in the dash. Ironically it came with the premium CD system from the factory, and thankfully whoever installed this junk BOSS branded thing did a decent job. My guess is that either the head unit failed, or the original owner "threw out the baby with the bathwater" as indeed the OEM speakers (still installed in the rear - it's got 4 6X8's in a standard cab) are dreadful.

I've already ordered speakers from Crutchfield - a decent price on 2 pair of Polks. The carp radio currently installed has to go, remote and all - the tuner is intermittent and it's a $99 cheapie.

In the past, I've had very good luck with top-end factory stereos and decent speakers for the upgrade. That's what I've done with my Bonneville, that's what I did with the S-10 that the F-150 replaced. Top model head unit, upgraded speakers, happy listening. But I don't know about Ford head units. I am seriously considering buying the OEM premium head unit on eBay and take it back to original... with good speakers all around and maybe a sub if the new speakers don't cut it. I don't want incredible volume, I don't want to blast out the rear window, I just want clean plesant sound for my baby boomer ears.

Opinions please :)

[ufcrusher]

I owned a 2001 F150, 2003 Mustang GT, and a 2004 F150 all with the "upgraded" stereo systems. My opinion is dont throw good money out trying to recapture the lowly factory system sound.

[thekidrocks]

I owned a 2001 F150, 2003 Mustang GT, and a 2004 F150 all with the "upgraded" stereo systems. My opinion is dont throw good money out trying to recapture the lowly factory system sound.

Thanks for the feedback. Where the head units that bad - or just the speakers? I know the factory speakers are horrible, as I still have them in the rear location - UGH! I need to change the head unit regardless as the low-end one that is there is not reliable (antenna issue only when a CD is in place), and the very, VERY bright display can't be dimmed. Sound actually isn't bad for not having an outboard amp.

So I need to spend money on a new head unit regardless... that's why I was considering going back to factory *or* buying a better after market unit.

Any brand preferences on after market units? I know it's like home stereo - everybody has their preference.

[MikeD]

I owned a 2001 F150, 2003 Mustang GT, and a 2004 F150

Now that's what I call a Ford Man...

I'm looking at the 2005 F-150. I'm assuming since you re-upped with the '04 model that you like the truck. Goods/bads, pros/cons on them?

BTW, good call with Crutchfield. I've always liked their service and thought their prices (especially the sales) were decent.

They've got factory stores in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville (VA). They sell the customer returns at cheap prices. Not bad shopping if you're in VA.

[AlpineJay]

I really like Alpines because they put out a very clean sound. I do have issues with my AM tuner (and I think this problem is across the board on Alpines) but never have I had a HU that put out as clean of a signal as the Alpines did.

Pioneer Premiers are also very nice units for the money. Alpine tends to be pricey but in my opinion well worth the money. Pair either one of those up with a decent set of speakers and you've got a pretty good thing going.

[BigJon]

Upgrade to a CD/MP3 head unit. I got a JVC one from Curcuit City for $160 earlier this year. Very nice sound (when matched with good speakers of course) and awesome ability to play MP3 CDs chock full of hours worth of music. I rarely change my CDs now...I'm sure that's better on the mechanism anyway.

[ufcrusher]

Thanks for the feedback. Where the head units that bad - or just the speakers? I know the factory speakers are horrible, as I still have them in the rear location - UGH! I need to change the head unit regardless as the low-end one that is there is not reliable (antenna issue only when a CD is in place), and the very, VERY bright display can't be dimmed. Sound actually isn't bad for not having an outboard amp.

So I need to spend money on a new head unit regardless... that's why I was considering going back to factory *or* buying a better after market unit.

Any brand preferences on after market units? I know it's like home stereo - everybody has their preference.

If you look at their "upgraded" sound systems it usually changes the head unit to a changer, adds external amplifiers (that arent worth a damn) and in some instances a subwoofer. I dont recall their being a sub in either of my trucks, but there was one in both my Mustang and my Probe. It could just be me not remembering correctly as I never did think it added much of anything.

As for head units, from when I sold the stuff, it really depends on what you are looking for and what you want to achieve. Alpine always gets top marks. Kenwood Excelion was a close second in all the installers opinions. In fact, it was close to a 50% split to look at what they would install in their own cars. Pioneer/Pioneer Elite units....the elites have generally always been good, but the standard brand has had its ups and downs. Sony occassionally puts out an ok product, but its more of an abberation than anything else.
We sold some JVCs, Blaupunkts, RF, and some lesser brands, but with few exceptions these were not worth looking at. (The RF is where you could sometimes find the exception) I know that Clarion and Eclipse have good quality units. Then you can go higher with things such as McIntosh.

Thus, you need to decide...what you want. You can make it where its a great sounding system tailored to what you like to listen to but purely music. You can go "high tech" with a DVD screen/GPS system. Or if you want to monitor everything about your truck, there is ever systems that will give you mini "guages" and performance monitoring.

If you are like most of us here, gadgets appeal....and if money isnt an option, then go with the full on dvd/GPS systems. Alpine, Kenwood Excelion, Pioneer, or Eclipse would all be nice. Pair it with some nice high end seperates speakers, such as Inifinity Kappas. Seperate amplifiers to power your speakers and your sub...which depending on if you listen to Rap/R&B or Rock/Pop/Rockacountry/Classical you would go with sealed or ported box. Yes, they make special boxes that fit into truck cabs. Most are designed to fit either on the rear wall of the cab or under the rear seats. If you are trying to be a bit more frugal, then you can always try to get either bass shakers or even a tube which are both "designed" for smaller space applications.

I know crutchfield offers some nice prices and its all "legal" items (rather than grey market/black market). They provide you with wiring diagrams and everything else...but if you are going with an extensive install it would behoove you to have it professionally done. I know that many years ago (13 to be exact) I decided to upgrade my factory deck in my Chevy Nova. My uncle, who was a computer builder/engineering type, and I had both installed stereos into cars before. For some reason...my Nova presented the most difficult time either of us had previously had. The physical install was easy, but the wiring diagram and the wiring of the car didnt match. After several failed attempts we finally got it where the stereo worked and everything seemed good.

Two days later, my best friend and I head up to Penn State to tour the campus, visit some friends, catch the first Michigan game (if memory serves correctly it was the first time they played, but we were kind of loopy) and generally have a good time. Little did we know that we would be stuck in traffic for hours and hours due to people coming up to State for the game/standard weekend traffic. We are sitting on the highway listening to my new system when it finally came time to put on the lights. We were in a very well lit area and so I didnt realize that my lights were not actually on. Another vehicle flashed us regarding the lights and when we rolled down the window to let them know that they were on, we found out....NOPE, they werent. During that trip we were stopped by the PHP who were nice enough to let me go, since we were only a few miles away from my uncles (different one) where we were staying...on the condition that until the lights were fixed, we wouldnt drive at night. I also wont forget driving down Mount Nittany in pea soup fog with no lights other than my hazards.

The moral of the story...sometimes, even if you can do it, its less trouble not to.

[DarkFury]

Now that's what I call a Ford Man...

I'm looking at the 2005 F-150. I'm assuming since you re-upped with the '04 model that you like the truck. Goods/bads, pros/cons on them?


There is more to it than that...

Go read this: http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=905293&postcount=57


UF probably should address you directly though on it.

[thekidrocks]

Well everybody, I had an Alpine CDA-9853 installed today. Dang! The tuner is incredible, there is true power without an extra amp (likely won't need one), and it is clean. This is the FIRST aftermarket car stereo I have liked - solid build in particular.

The funky adjustment bar is odd, and I have yet to get any user-preset EQ settings programmed into the unit (what, 6 user presets for graphic or parametic?) - danged complicated enough to need to RTFM. The front after-market speakers sound good, however I still have 4 Polks coming to replace them in all locations. Then I'll see if a subwoofer is needed. I don't care to blast out the window - a sub would be to truly extend the bass... which with this Alpine would allow me to high-pass the 6x8s and make more use of the honest power this unit has.

For some reason, Ford harnesses (the factory head unit uses 2 - the after-markets use only 1) don't provide for dash display dimming. However the Alpine isn't overly bright at the buttons, and the display is adjustable.


Upgrade to a CD/MP3 head unit. I got a JVC one from Curcuit City for $160 earlier this year. Very nice sound (when matched with good speakers of course) and awesome ability to play MP3 CDs chock full of hours worth of music. I rarely change my CDs now...I'm sure that's better on the mechanism anyway.

Yup, the Alpine I bought does MP3 and WMA... and with the extra box, Sirius and XM ;) I'll have to burn an MP3 disc and see how well it works.

[BigJon]

Sweet. Mine does WMA as well...I just mainly use MP3. You'll love it.

[ufcrusher]

There is more to it than that...

Go read this: http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showpost.php?p=905293&postcount=57


UF probably should address you directly though on it.

Yep...I am the reluctant Ford owner. I did send him a PM regarding the reality of my continued Ford enslavement. One destroyed car has caught me in a cycle of Ford hell. Forutnately, this should be the last one.....at least the Trucks are pretty good.

[thekidrocks]

Follow-up question with the Ford/Alpine HU installation that I hope someone here can help me with...

The installer said there was no dimmer wire in the harness - was puzzled but okay...

Did some searching and discovered there is a dimmer wire in the same connection of the harness... and of course one on the Alpine. I hook it up tonight.

Sure enough, when the parking or headlamps come on - the display dims down a bit. I think GREAT! But when I turn down the dash lights, the Alpine display does not dim further... and eventually starts to flicker. $&%*! I have a feeling the installer knew there was a dimmer wire, and also knew there was a problem with that hookup, so he told me there was no dimmer. Gotta give him credit, darned good wiring job. Seriously.

Am I alone on this? I'd like to be able to at least have a 2 step dimmer (high-low) as I have it set on the lowest of 3 levels for night-time, which washes out during the day. Worst case, I'll leave it on manual/brightest as it's really not that bad.

[BigJon]

I don't dim mine. I just find it easier to read in the dark when it's not dimmed. I dunno :shrug:

Plus mine doesn't have a super bright display anyways...so I don't feel like it gets in my way.

Sounds like the flickering is caused by the deck not able to support that low of a power signal when you dim the lights that low.

[thresher]

I have an 03 STX with a factory installed aftermarket Kenwood Z828. It has a two stage dimmer. headlights off - bright, headlights on - dim. My 2000 was the same way with a Pioneer fancy something or another. Only thing I can really recommend is:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-K4V2ethfAKS/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=236FRP20AC&search=236FRP20A

[AlpineJay]

CDA-9853 is a great unit. I have the older version of it and it's been excellent so far.

I am considering an XM upgrade but apparently the Alpine OEM unit is awful.