Swapped out the head unit (radio) in my '01 F250, bout time
01-07-2014, 11:35 AM
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Swapped out the head unit (radio) in my '01 F250, bout time
I just got back from a 1300 mile road trip in my '01 F250 running the stock radio / CD / cassette player. I decided it was time to upgrade.
These days everyone carries all their music on iPods, MP3 players, and cell phones. I wanted a head unit that could handle all of these.
The removal and install of a new head unit was a 2 hour job and that's taking it slow and double checking. I'm guessing it could be done in a half hour by the third time you do one. Swapping out a radio is sure a lot simpler and cleaner than the last time I did this (about 30+ years ago).
I picked a single DIN radio going into a double DIN hole so I still need to do some trim and mounting work, but the install and hook up went smooth as silk.
The sound is great, the connectivity to different devices kicks butt. I can play off my iPod, phone, my son's phone. It has a remote so passengers in the back can fight over switching songs and changing the volume. It's way cooler than stock.
I put together some quick videos of the head unit removal, connector build, and install. Should be visible here:
New Radio for an Old Truck » Tech Spin
Radio Install YouTube Playlist
Out with the old head unit.
Here is the new head unit, a Pioneer DEH-X66BT, bluetooth, MP3, full iPod control, AUX input.
Here is the new radio installed. The radio is a single DIN going into a double DIN hole so I'll need to make a mounting block and fix up the trim.
These days everyone carries all their music on iPods, MP3 players, and cell phones. I wanted a head unit that could handle all of these.
The removal and install of a new head unit was a 2 hour job and that's taking it slow and double checking. I'm guessing it could be done in a half hour by the third time you do one. Swapping out a radio is sure a lot simpler and cleaner than the last time I did this (about 30+ years ago).
I picked a single DIN radio going into a double DIN hole so I still need to do some trim and mounting work, but the install and hook up went smooth as silk.
The sound is great, the connectivity to different devices kicks butt. I can play off my iPod, phone, my son's phone. It has a remote so passengers in the back can fight over switching songs and changing the volume. It's way cooler than stock.
I put together some quick videos of the head unit removal, connector build, and install. Should be visible here:
New Radio for an Old Truck » Tech Spin
Radio Install YouTube Playlist
Out with the old head unit.
Here is the new head unit, a Pioneer DEH-X66BT, bluetooth, MP3, full iPod control, AUX input.
Here is the new radio installed. The radio is a single DIN going into a double DIN hole so I'll need to make a mounting block and fix up the trim.
