Installing New Head Unit and Speakers

[AutoXRacer]

Hey all,

I'll be getting my new stereo gear today and installing it this weekend.

I'll be getting the following:
-Eclipse AVN6620 DVD/NAV head unit
-Eclipse Bluetooth Adapter
-Eclipse IPC-106 iPod Adapter
-PAC 127C2R-FRD1 Ford Radio Replace Interface
-Ford Wire Harness speakers, 1998-up
-Ford Antenna Adapter Motor Motorola M to OEM antenna F
-Kenwood KFC-C6882ie 6x8" 3-WAY Speakers (door and rear deck)

I have a few questions about install...

First, I've been reading how its not necessary to tap into the speed pulse signal wire. How true is this with various brands of Nav systems? What is this connection for? Doesn't GPS calculate speed on its own? Any benefit in having it hooked up?
If I were to hook it up, does anyone know where to find it and which wire it is?

In addition, the installation instructions also say to tap into the "reverse signal wire". What the hell for? Supposedly it gives a more accurate status on the Nav screen...something about correctly displaying vehicle icon direction. What the...? Shouldn't the GPS be able to calculate all of this and realize what direction its going? Further reading, I guess its only used when you reverse, to give you an accurate display of your position indicator on screen. Its a neat feature to see the icon change directions as you reverse, but honestly, who the hell looks at that anyway while reversing? I guess its an unnecessary connection...?

The last one is the e-brake connection. I know this one is required in order to view movies and operate the Nav. I know there has to be a way to rig it in order to bypass the safety feature. For the ones that have installed Nav units in your cars, what is the typical bypass method; grounding the wire?

I guess thats all for now... (unit I get in there)
Aside from these three connections, this whole install would be PnP (and a breeze)... lol

Thanks for all the help guys...

Also, regarding my other post about the Nav antenna: Nav Antenna...????
Seems like the instructions are pretty adamant about installing it outdoors...though they say if indoors, to place it on the dash. I'm going to have to play with the placement and see how sensitive this thing really is.

[03stage2]

On my Pioneer I spliced two wires together to bypass. However I have heard it's getting harder to do now.

Thats a nice head unit, 5 volt preamp out

[07Grabber]

I also have a Pioneer GPS head unit in my car. You can try to fool it into thinking the brake is on but the GPS unit will tell the system it is in motion. Mine errored out and wouldn't work. Good luck and keep us informed!

[redfire427]

The VSS wire is only used to assist the GPS in instances where it loses the signal. When you drive through a tunnel for example. Using its last known position plus the speed of the vehicle, it will give you a proper location on the view screen. I do not have that wire hooked up, but I understand the connection is made in the PCM.

The reverse wire is also used to activate the screen to become a rear view camera if you have one installed. Again, you do not need to connect this one if you don't have a camera.

The bypass is model specific. You would have to look for an Eclipse forum and ask another use how this is done. The Pioneer is very straight forward.

[NastyStang113]

Originally Posted by redfire427

The VSS wire is only used to assist the GPS in instances where it loses the signal. When you drive through a tunnel for example. Using its last known position plus the speed of the vehicle, it will give you a proper location on the view screen. I do not have that wire hooked up, but I understand the connection is made in the PCM.

The reverse wire is also used to activate the screen to become a rear view camera if you have one installed. Again, you do not need to connect this one if you don't have a camera.

The bypass is model specific. You would have to look for an Eclipse forum and ask another use how this is done. The Pioneer is very straight forward.

+1,000,000

[AutoXRacer]

HHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA my gear is here!!!!

I was wondering, doesn't the Shaker 500 have some type of speed pulse wire already connected to it; since it raises the volume automatically the faster you go? Couldn't I use that wire instead?

[DadzRoush]

I just hooked up an Alpine in my car and was able to buy an adaptor that just plugs in so I can watch video, use the Nav etc while driving. On my old stang I used a toggle switch for the ground wire that you are supposed to hook up to the ebrake and I just had to toggle it off/on/off which fooled it into thinking the brake was on. I believe on the Eclipse you can do the same thing, as I understand that is how my Buddy did his. If you call a local high end shop they may tell you how to do it and if they are an Eclipse dealer maybe able to help you get an adaptor. They have come a long way in the last couple of years to make it more difficult to fool them into thinking the brake is on. Good luck with the install.

[AutoXRacer]

I finished installing the speakers in the door and rear deck. The 2008+ models are a lot more invasive to install rear speakers than the earlier models. You have to remove the whole interior 1/4 panels and rear deck panel just to get to the speakers. Oh and to unscrew the T-20 torx bolts, you need some kind of low profile bit and ratchet cause its too close to the rear window.

Thanks to Crutchfield's adapters, the speakers where PnP...no cutting, crimping, or splicing... Just plug and go!!!

The speakers sound great!!! I am hearing things I never heard with the factory speakers...like the singer's breathe and lip movements...the detail is incredible. And yeah, the stock speakers are crap!!!

Next will be to install the head unit this weekend. I need to prepare, solder, and shrink wrap all the wires/harnesses.

Oh, and awesome news is that with the PAC Ford Interface Adapter, all the wiring is there; speed signal, reverse signal, and e-brake (though I will bypass it some how)...in addition to a 5V amp signal. So I will not have to fish for wires. I highly recommend using this adapter for anyone installing a Nav/DVD unit. It can't get easier than this.

[DiMora]

Originally Posted by AutoXRacer

HHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA my gear is here!!!!

I was wondering, doesn't the Shaker 500 have some type of speed pulse wire already connected to it; since it raises the volume automatically the faster you go? Couldn't I use that wire instead?

"J1" connector - Pin 14. "J1" is the biggest of the 3 plugs on a shaker 1000; biggest of the 2 plugs on a Shaker 500.

[AutoXRacer]

I really recommend every Shaker 500 (don't know about the 1000) owners replace their factory speakers to something better!!

Right now I am just powering them with the Shaker 500 unit and the sound quality is 100 times better. I can hear things I've never heard before!! The amount of detail that is lost with the factory speakers is astonishing!!! Simply put, new speakers will make the sound clearer and more detailed. My GF says she hears more bass too...

Its incredible how regular speakers (not the most expensive ones) just improve the sound so much!!!

We'll see if there is anymore improvement in sound this weekend when I install the head unit. Hmmm....

[AutoXRacer]

Here are what the stock speakers look like:





Kenwood, stock rear speakers, stock front speakers.
(The rears are just plain woofers while the fronts are two way.)

The interesting thing is that the rear speakers are rated at 25W while the fronts are 50W. Does that mean that the Shaker 500 system pushes more power through the front than the rears?

[rbobby1]

I too am installing a new head unit and DVD. Is there a link or do you guys know how to take the old unit out, Shaker 500?

[AutoXRacer]

Here you go (they are too large to upload):

Center Console Removal (only till step #4)
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...81/console.pdf

Center Panel:
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...ceterpanel.pdf

Radio Removal:
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...adioremove.pdf


(special thanks to DiMora for finding this info)

[AutoXRacer]

Here is the removal process for the speakers.

Front Door:
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...#37;20trim.pdf

http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...%20speaker.pdf

Door Sub:
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb.../subwoofer.pdf

Rear Parcel (2005 Mustang):
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb.../subwoofer.pdf

*On my 2008 it was totally different. I had to remove the upper and lower 1/4 panel interior trims and then slide out the rear parcel panel. I like how the 2005 were set up better... Here are the instructions:
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...81/inttrim.pdf

[1Bad06Roush]

Did you replace factory subs?

[AutoXRacer]

Originally Posted by 1Bad06Roush

Did you replace factory subs?

No, I kept the stockers...they thump pretty good for my taste. If I can find a set that fits in there without having to drill and modify the door, then I would. But I think the issue is that the stockers are super slim...I don't know of any aftermarket subs that are the same depth.

I don't know if something like this would fit:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113XW80...0F.html?tp=111

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_2068C8V...84.html?tp=111

Someone would have to measure the depth available in the doors.

[rbobby1]

Originally Posted by AutoXRacer

Here you go (they are too large to upload):

Center Console Removal (only till step #4)
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...81/console.pdf

Center Panel:
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...ceterpanel.pdf

Radio Removal:
http://www.2005stang.com/gallery/alb...adioremove.pdf


(special thanks to DiMora for finding this info)

Thank you all very much!

[Avaldes]

Great post! Thanks Gerald. Once I get a chance, there is a DVD/Nav head unit, speakers and a custome trunk sub in my future. I had been looking at the head unit trying to figure out how to get it out...thanks again!

[DadzRoush]

Hertz makes some subs that will fit in the front door without modification. They are not cheap, but sound great. I am having them installed now in my car. Doing Hertz 3 way's up front, Hertz two ways in the rear, two 12's in the trunk and two JL Audio Amps. Doing a fiberglass setup in spare tire well for the two subs, false bottom floor so I can still use the trunk. Will post pics when done.

[AutoXRacer]

Well, I finished my install...head unit, iPod controller, and bluetooth are all in...

The wiring was easy to assemble (solder, etc), but the size of the harness when its all said and done is a monster!!!!
Harness from hell!!!!



Here is a quick comparison of stock versus aftermarket.





Overall, the install went very well with no hurdles...everything went smooth and it was a true PnP!!! The only thing I'm not too happy about is that the new head unit sticks out of the center console a little. It does not sit flush like the stock radio. This might just be due to the style, brand, model... I've seen other models of Navs/DVDs that are truly flush.

Is this normal for an aftermarket radio...? Maybe I could have set the radio a little further back in the mount/faceplate...?

I'll take some pictures tomorrow to show you guys what I'm talking about.

Overall I'm happy with the unit, though after I put it in and started playing with it, I started thinking maybe I just should have left the stocker in and forget about the whole 7" Nav/DVD system. I just feel like the stocker had a cleaner look and it might just be me or maybe the settings are not right, but the stocker with upgraded speakers really sounded good.

Let's give it a few days and see... I usually get mod remorse the first few days...