wire1ess@yahoo.com

UPDATE: I buzzed all of the wires from the head unit to the amp and continuity was good on all leads. Because I've been changing out so many units and cables while troubleshooting, I thought I would clean up a little (electricians nightmare as my father would say). While pulling the amp completely out and mounting it on the back wall of the truck, I noticed that I had tightened down the amp output leads so tightly that it had crushed the speaker wire leads and there were (probably) only a few strands of copper actually making contact on some. I really don't like the power connections and the speaker wire connections on the JBL GTR-104. I think this is what was probably causing my poor sound issue.

I hooked everything back up, tested it out and it sounds soooooooooo much better. It is still the crappy Ford head unit but it is much better than it was.

My next question. Is there a viable head unit to replace the Sync3 with the help of some of the iDatalink products (maestro?) yet? I've read a few articles that say the Maestro can be programmed to provide many of the same functions that the Sync3 provides. Is this true?

Thanks for all of the help! You guys rock and I will stop by your website and see what you have if I need anything. I usually buy through Crutchfield but you have provided excellent customer service and that is worth something to me.

dhmcfadin

Crushed wires will do it! I recommend you pick up a ferrule kit and some heat shrink.

dhmcfadin

You can absolutely replace the headunit but the signal output is actually really good. I would leave it. Unless there is something specific you want or need that the oem headunit can't provide?

Henry Sanders

I had the same problem on my 17 . I added JL cleansweep and the JL SSI. Sound difference is night to day