My stock indash CD/stereo headunit is not functioning properly and is out of warranty. I want to change it out but.....I have some issues.
The stock sound system sounds great, except for the head unit no longer plays CDs. The car came with the 290 watt Audiophile 9006 in-dash CD changer system with a built in 8" sub inclosed in a tasteful mounted enclosure located in the rear hatch. It also came with stalk mounted stereo controls on the side of the steering column.
I want an aftermarket head unit that will work with my factory speakers, amp, and sub and be able to be connected to my column mounted controller.
The dude at Best Buy told me that this is not possible. Something about my sub might be 8ohms and that the column controller can't be connected to an aftermarket stereo.
I have no clue about car stereos and need some advice. Stock units are too damn expensive and while it always sounded great, the stock head unit is constantly breaking, I really don't want to spend $400 bucks or any amount for another problematic stock stereo, it's not worth the effort or money.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

you may be able to feed the stock amps with a low pass signal out of a aftermarker radio -
controls - first you will have to buy a higher grade/model radio and there is a device that allows intergration to factory controls - expensive to buy and expensive to put in. but it can be done....

 

Factory amplified systems generally sound like shit with aftermarket decks. Factory amps usually see a high signal, and factory speakers and subs usually play at odd ohm loads. Not to mention, I seriously doubt you're going to get your factory sub/amp to even work. Steering wheel controls can be intergrated usually using a device such as a SWIX, but I'm not sure in your application. In your case, it might be better to just stick with the OEM deck if you really like the way it sounds.

 

Its a Ford right? You should have no trouble installing an aftermarket deck and maintaining the factory speakers and sub. At the most youll have to bypass the factory amp which isnt too terribly hard if you know what youre doing. Gimme a call if you have any questions- (813) 787-9527

Matt

 

The factory controlls cant be directly connected to most headunits, they CAN be used with any aftermarket headunit that comes with a wireless remote, the part you need is called PESWIX-IR to interface your factory controls to an IR signal.

The factory interface can be adapter with some patience, a little solder, and spliced RCA plugs. The guy as best buy was an idiot.

You will need a headunit with 3 preamp outputs and it helps to be able to disable the factory amplifier to reduce heat output. The kenwood mp4028 has 3 outputs at 4volts and a wireless remote. you can also disable the built in amplifier and it runs $150. I have the MP4028 interfaced with the PESWIX-IR for my factory steering wheel controls and it works flawlessly.

The total cost for your install shouldnt exceed $300 for parts and labor.

 

I didnt see the part about the factory radio controls. That SWIX piece is only $60. Worst case scenario, $150 for the deck, $60 for SWIX, and figure $100 or so for install and parts.

 

Thanks everyone...I really appreciate all the advice. I did find some devices on the net that allow for specific brands of head units to work with factory redundant controls, but the whole ohms, impediance, blah blah blah stuff is so fricken over my head. I'm a car stereo simpleton.

I really don't want to compromise the sound of the current stock system (R&T said it was one of the best stock audio systems they've ever tested) It really sounds great, but I'm so F'ing sick of the stock unit. I've replaced it 5 times (under warranty)!!!!
Anyway....I do appreciate your input, if anyone knows a reputable shop that can do good, clean work that might be able to help, I'm all ears. Most of the Car Audio people I run into at the big retail-giant stores seem to be dissiminating unreliable info. So I'm sort of lost right now. And I'm really sick of the radio.

 

I dont work for a shop but I pay my rent installing stereos. Bring it to me and I can guarentee you will be happy or the work is free. my business page - notladstyle.com

 

Sound Advice on Fowler. Not that notladstyle does bad work but you get a warranty with us

 

damnit two SA whores vs me - no win situation =(