2004-2008 Audio Basics
 

**NOTE THIS IS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY FOR 2004-2008 MODEL YEARS, OTHER YEARS MAY VARY**

Figured I'd type up some basic info since there are so many questions that come across.

Q1: What stock systems were available?

1: "Standard" and "Premium":
Various head units including AM/FM, AM/FM/CD, AM/FM/CD6, Nav (Siruis Available in some models) only 07+ have dash mounted line in
6"x8" 1 way woofers in all 4 doors

2: "Audiophile":
Head units include AM/FM/CD6 and Nav (Siruis Available in some models) only 07+ have dash mounted line in
04-06 - Front Components 4" woofers + 3/4" Tweeters; Rear standard 6"x8" woofers; 8" DVC Sub and ~80W Amp under driver side rear seat. Pics: https://www.f150forum.com/members/ga...ile-door-pics/
07-08 - Front Components 6"x8" woofers + 3/4" Tweeters; Rear standard 6"x8" woofers; 8" DVC Sub and ~80W Amp under driver side rear seat

Q2: What is my head unit size?
Double Din size all years.

Q3: I want to replace my speakers, what are the aftermarket replacement speaker sizes I can use?
6"x8" fit all models
6 1/2" and 5 1/4" Coaxials or Components will fit with readily available adapter plates (plates may need to be trimmed to fit the 6 1/2"s). Larger tweeters will require opening the hole in the front doors

Q4: What options do I have for aftermarket amp placement?
Under rear seat or behind rear seat back

Q5: How can I tell the difference between the Audiophile and Standard/Premium Head Units?
Audiophile heads have three connectors + Antenna
http://replacementradios.com/images/fordphase2sub.jpg
Others have 2 Connectors + Antenna
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/logjam/frd04can-rear.jpg

Q6: What Aftermarket Wiring Harness(es) do I need?
Standard Metra 70-5520
http://documents.victorytechnologies...0x100/1160.jpg
Audiophile Metra 70-5521
http://documents.victorytechnologies...0x100/9518.jpg
Speakers Metra 72-5600
http://documents.victorytechnologies...0x100/1194.jpg

Q7: What is the stock Audiophile Sub Wiring?
Harness hit or miss preinstalled in non Audiophile trucks
Prior to Amp: 2 wires are low level (RCA) signal, 20A power, Ground, 5V Remote turn on, and shield grounding

Q8: What Prefab Sub Boxes are available?
FoxBox
Stock Audiophile 8"
Saleen/RF 10"
JL Audio Stealthbox
MTX Thunderform
Qlogic Qcustom
supercrewsound
moosemusicaudio
Du-Ha with 8" box
Atrend
ebay

Q9: How do I remove the rear seat back?
https://www.f150forum.com/f33/f150-r...-my-way-16129/

Q10: Is the audiophile head unit crossed over?
Yes, doors are High Pass at ~80HZ, Sub is low pass at ~80HZ

I'll add more when I get a chance. Let me know if you find any errors.

Sticky Maybe?

nice!

Q11: How do I get an aux in on my 04-06 or iPod control on my 04-08?
Several companies have adapters, but you must have the aux button on the radio to use them. Most will take the place of the rear seat entertainment or Sirius.
P.I.E. http://www.pie.net/
Brand Motion http://www.brandmotion.com/ https://www.f150forum.com/f30/brand-...adapter-50931/
USA Spec http://www.usaspec.com/
iSimple http://isimplesolutions.com/ipod-adapter/default.asp

Q12: The paint is flaking on my stock head unit, can I just swap faceplates?
Yes, https://www.f150forum.com/f30/removi...-player-50745/

Q13: I installed an aftermarket amplifier, and now my lights dim when the bass hits, do I need a capacitor?
No! You need to upgrade your electrical system. Do the Big 3/4 first https://www.f150forum.com/f33/how-big-3-upgrade-46822/ . Then look at batteries and alternators.

Q14: How do I remove/install the factory head unit?
1. Pull off the center instrument panel finish panel.
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/mo...rdF150Dash.jpg
2. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the finish panel.
3. Remove the 4 screws and the audio unit.
4. Disconnect the electrical connectors and the antenna lead.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Q15: How much dynamat do I need?
Less than you think, read the info at sounddeadenershowdown.com and raamaudio

Q16: I want to install an aftermarket amplifier, can I keep my stock head unit?
Yes! You have two choices, either buy an amplifier with speaker level inputs or buy a "Line Output Converter" (LOC) to change the speaker level signal to a low (RCA) level signal. You can get a lot of different LOCs and prices range from $20 to $500+.
Basic LOCs are available from companies like Scoshe, PAC, and Stinger. DavidNavone.com has some well respected ones.
The next step are Bass Restoration Processor LOCs, like some Audiocontrol units and the MTX Re-Q series.
The best of the best have built in "Digital Signal Processing" (DSP) and the ability to sum signals that have been split. These include the JL Audio Cleansweep and the Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty series.

Q17: How do I swap my stock head unit for an aftermarket one?
There are two things you need to do a head unit swap from stock to aftermarket.
The first is what is called a dash kit, which is a plastic "adapter" to let the universal mount of the aftermarket hu attach to Ford's model specific mounting. The 04-08 F150 Metra dash kit is 95-5812 for Double Din aftermarket installation and 99-5807 for single dins. The kit will come with instructions, and once you remove the stock head installation is fairly simple.
The second is called a "harness," and isn't mandatory, but it makes things significantly easier and allows you to easily switch back to your stock head unit. The aftermarket deck will come with it's own connector with pigtails (these are normally interchangeable with similar models from the same brand). In order to integrate the new deck's pigtail, you'll need to attach it wire by wire to a factory integration harness, I listed the Metra model numbers in the first post. Some units, like DVD players, will need to be connected to other wires as well to get signals for your parking brake. You can accomplish the same thing without the integration harness, but you will have to permanently cut off your factory connectors and do all the wire connection up in the dash. You can either use crimp connectors or solder the wires together, make sure you secure and insulate with electrical tape or heat shrink whichever way you go. Using crimp connectors and following the instructions, you should be able to connect the harness and complete installation in around an hour your first time.

Q18: Can I retain my factory Rear Seat DVD Entertainment (RSE) with an aftermarket head unit?
Yes, use PIE FRD04-DVD

Good info. Stickied.

Aftermarket Install Threads
 

Thanks Franchi!

I'll start listing links to 04-08 installs on this post to give members some ideas of what people have done. Please PM me to add your install.

GATORB8

What about how to get the factory radio out on 2004-2008?

Added

Great info, thanks. Question though. I have 2001 supercrew harley davidson. I think it is premium as it is am/fm/cass with cd6. Is this a true DD size? I have looked at JVC KW-XR810 but was told by Crutchfield advisor that this will not fit. Any experience with this kind of change? Anyone?
Appreciate any info
Bo

You'll need to do a little trimming, but there are mounting kits for it (one is Metra 95-5818).

https://www.f150forum.com/f30/my-rec...upgrade-43993/

Thanks, great info and link