Car audio, receiver advice needed

[Yuriman]

I'm considering getting a new receiver/amp for my truck, because I would like to be able to play music over it from my smartphone. Bluetooth is preferable, but I think I could live with just an aux in. I know a bit about home theater, but next to nothing about car audio. I have a 1995 F150 with the stock... radio. I have no idea what connectors are in the back, or if it's a standard size. Can anyone help me get started?

 

[BassBomb]

Which phone? If its an iphone most have iphone/ipod connectors already available

If its another phone it may work via USB port... I should check mine in the car to see if it does.

I am using a Alpine 9886 with USB + Ipod connectors

 

[kornphlake]

try crutchfield.com Their prices aren't always the best on the net, but they give you a bunch of free install stuff which makes the overall cost of installing a system pretty competitive. They're "outfit my car" database is pretty complete as far as making sure you buy gear that will fit your vehicle. As far as features, you'll just have to shop around, there are so many different models with just slightly different specs it's really hard to recommend just one. In general it's best to stick with one of the main stream brands, Pioneer, Alpine, Kenwood, Eclipse, Clarion, etc.

Are you planning on replacing the speakers too or are you just looking for the connectivity features in the headunit?

 

[Yuriman]

For now, just replacing the "headunit", I'm ok with how the speakers sound. I have a Droid, and I've been using a set of PC speakers with a small sub stuffed behind the seat, but it's a little messy. Any receiver with a line-in would work but bluetooth would be ideal.

Crutchfield tells me the following:
Factory replacement info:

In-dash stereo
6.775" depth; Size code E,M1,S

Front speakers
Front Door: 6-1/2"

Far rear speakers
Behind Seat: 6x8"


E - "Euro-DIN" stereos attach from the front through the 2" tall rectangular hole in the dash, sliding into a metal sleeve that attaches to the front of the dash.

F2/F3/M1 receivers are designed as direct replacements for certain Ford/Mercury factory radios. You won't need an installation kit.

S - Similar to "U" chassis, but with a taller nosepiece or offset shafts. They fit the 3-hole dash opening in many older vehicles.

The toolkit recommends these:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1208656...air.html?ssi=0
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1207050...ess.html?ssi=0
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1203055...Kit.html?ssi=0

I'm not sure if I'll need the in-dash kit, it looks like the stock radio already has the plastic piece at least, but it's cheap enough I may as well get it.

A quick google search didn't reveal much about the stock speakers, but I'm guessing they probably require very little power.

I'm not sure how to tell if a receiver will fit, are they all a standard size, and will fit with that kit that crutchfield recommends?

-----

#1 seller on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-13...9846497&sr=1-1
-200w output, aux in
Would work, but I don't feel the need to have a CD player, no BT but the price is right

Cheapish unit that has bluetooth and good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Boss-755DBI-Re...9847438&sr=1-1
-320w, aux + BT
Mixed reviews, doesn't say explicitly that it supports A2DP streaming


Thoughts?

 

[kornphlake]

Head units are all the same size unless it's specified as something other than a single DIN. There may be a couple single DIN head units on the market that are exceptionally long or your vehicle may have an unusually shallow space behind the dash which could exclude one receiver or another, but in general they're all about the same size and any one should work just fine.

I'd google up a F150 forum and look for installation instructions to be certain what harness and install kit you'll need. If you buy from Crutchfield I'm very confident they'll ship all the stuff you'd need for the installation for free, no hassles running around town trying to find the right kit. If you do the research and don't mind ordering from a couple places you could probably save a few dollars over buying from Crutchfield.

 

[jtvang125]

Tried the audio over bluetooth on my iphone to my kenwood double din nav unit and it sounds horrible. Sounds like a badly recorded cassette. Sound cuts out every now and then too.

 

[ComputerWizKid]

The earlier Fords used a Single din radio so you would not need a dash kit
The 2 holes on each side of the radio are to remove it (Which is very easy if you have the "Ford DIN Tool" you stick the two prongs in the holes and then pull it right out of the dash.) With the new radio you will need a wire harness (The 1995 Ford harness looks very much like a Chrysler connector but they are NOT the same) One Grey and one Black connector 7 pins each, This is provided you have the base sound system the "Premium" system uses a different connector which I don't know much about sorry)
On to the installation

You will need to use the cage (The big metal bracket that the unit slides into) You put it in the dash and then bend the tabs against the dash to make it stay in there and then connect any wires and don't forget the antenna (Doh! Yes I have done that.:ninja Then you slide the radio into place but not all of the way yet! You will now want to test it

Test all of the functions that the unit has and Then test the balance and fader to make sure all of the speakers work. When you are satified with the working condition of the unit fully slide in the unit until it locks into place

If you need anymore help let me know
A PM is fine or post in this thread

 

[bobdole369]

What you'll want is 2 bits:

A car kit

A radio kit.

The car kit allows you to splice into, or use existing connectors

The radio kit provides the connection to the car kit.

Unles tehre is some integrated amp somewhere, its as easy as that.

You can call the crutchfiield folks too - they'll tell you what is inside. CPUwiz is basically right though.

(Which is very easy if you have the "Ford DIN Tool" you stick the two prongs in the holes and then pull it right out of the dash.)

These freakin blow. They say you can use wire coat hanger, but I've never been able to make it work.