The radio for my 97 Lariat does not get any AM reception. FM works fine. Is this a radio problem or a wire/grounding problem?

A co-worker is selling his radio from a 2000 F150 and I was wondering if it would work in my 97? We both have the 6 CD changer also.

 

Just try it out. But it's more than likely a bad am receiver on your part.

 

I would inspect the antenna cable. The coaxial cable could be completely corroded internally and need replaced.

 

I have a '98 lariat (built in '97). If your head unit has an "auto set" button in the upper right, it means you have an external amp, located in the center kick panel. I don't think a later model will mate up due to the external amp. I too, was looking for a newer stock unit, but had the amp issue, so I just went aftermarket, and used the pre-outs from the new unit and fed them into the external amp. You can bypass this amp, but it also means knowing which speaker wire is for which speaker (probably more effort than need be). If your FM is weak too (but not as noticeable as your dead AM), then check the antenna lead.

 

I did a write up on the 97-03 stereo's and I never could find any info on this. Thanks, I will have to include/add this in that thread.

https://www.f150forum.com/f30/97-03-...basics-154340/

 

I read this after I posted my comments. Great summation...you covered almost all of the bases. These head units are made by different manufacturers (Alpine, Clarion, maybe even Pioneer) so they're not just plug-n-play (that would be just too easy). I found out about the external amp when I was looking for a newer stock unit - (hoping I'd find one that had the 3.5mm mini jack - too old for USB). Scosche makes an OEA-4 adapter that will mate up a head unit with built-in amp to the external amp found in the Lariat, and like-year Expeditions (it has variable resistors in each of the channels to turn high-level into low level).

Problem is, that you wind up with multiple harnesses, adapters, etc. to deal with, and find room for. I'm pretty satisfied with my JVC head unit, and EXISTING Ford external amp combo (with new Rockford Fosgate Prime 6x8 speakers). No subwoofer from the factory for us Gen 10 folks, but it'll do.

 

Here's the link to my original discussion - even includes the part # for the aftermarket harness needed when dealing with the external amp in the '97 and '98 models.

https://www.f150forum.com/f30/98-lar...cement-116820/

 

After doing some research and going to check out my neighbor's 98 Lariat, I came up with some info. ( I will add this to the other thread later). I was never aware ford used 4-channel amps or any out board amps in the 97-03 years. Information is very scarce!

It was pretty much what Warspite has stated below but a few additions;
First, understand you have lots of options; Simply changing amps, to aftermarket head units, to OEM units, etc. But each option requires different products and different procedures.

Heres a couple of typical options;

If installing an aftermarket unit:
Use a harness like the one below, then by-pass the amp (explained below)


If you want to add a newer model OEM(Ford) Receiver with internal amp
This will require two plugs; (Plus by passing amp)
1 -a ford plug that fits the new model HU you are installing (one end goes into the new reciever you are using(16 pin for most), the other end is all necessary wires). ****NOTE: this is my factory wiring plug and is only for reference. The new plug you use should look similar as most newer models have 16pin connectors******

2- An aftermarket set of plugs; rectangular one is for power, ground, turn on, etc. The square one is (inputs to the amp), which will now be used for hi level speaker outputs.



Then you can wire the two aftermarket plugs together with the new OEM Receive by this diagram;

This is the rectangular plug and code;



Square plug;
White-----------Left Front Speaker +
White/Black-----Left Front Speaker -
Gray------------Right Front Speaker +
Gray/Black------Right Front Speaker -
Green-----------Left Rear Speaker +
Green/Black -----Left Rear Speaker -
Violet -----------Right Rear Speaker +
Violet/Black------Right Rear Speaker -


Both of the plugs above will snap into your factory wiring, then ALL corresponding wires should be spliced to the new 16pin plug. The result should look like this again, and plug right into the new unit.




This should be the easiest part. I can't see how it would take more than 10minutes to splice the "8" corresponding wires together. The color codes should be the same (input and output).

As for by passing the amp(must be done because it only accepts low level);
Simply cut and splice the 8 input wires to the 8 output wires.



If you have the 6cd changer, feel free to shoot me a PM and I will try to go over the Schematics of that as well. The changer has a separate plug, just like the amp.