radio wiring
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: NJ
radio wiring
1996 4.9 xl regular cab. Original was just am/fm and 4 speaker wiring but only front 2 used. I had cut off the original harness. That was really dumb and regretting it to this day. Also did not make a detailed records. Anyway, would appreciate comments on following question and my rationale.
1. original radio. Was the illumination controlled by headlight dial? Can't remember.
2. I'm restoring factory harness with metra after market. This is the factory wire side. The radio side was prewired by crutchfield. There are 3 grounds on factory side. Confirmed with a diagram that matches my wire colors. One thin black. 2 thicker black with green stripe. I assume thin black is the radio ground. 2 black/green stripe - are they for illumination and something else that were adjustable? I'm thinking thicker wires must mean something. Since I don't need illumination (radio has its own) and also solid antenna (if that is what it is), I was thinking I'll just cap the 2 thicker grounds and use black ground. Am I on the right path?
1. original radio. Was the illumination controlled by headlight dial? Can't remember.
2. I'm restoring factory harness with metra after market. This is the factory wire side. The radio side was prewired by crutchfield. There are 3 grounds on factory side. Confirmed with a diagram that matches my wire colors. One thin black. 2 thicker black with green stripe. I assume thin black is the radio ground. 2 black/green stripe - are they for illumination and something else that were adjustable? I'm thinking thicker wires must mean something. Since I don't need illumination (radio has its own) and also solid antenna (if that is what it is), I was thinking I'll just cap the 2 thicker grounds and use black ground. Am I on the right path?
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 11,256
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From: Memphis, TN, Earth, Milky Way
Thank you for the diagrams.