[kris4christ2]

I have no knowledge of Car Audio (or cars at all; finally got the chance to major in Auto Tech so I can learn everything there is to know =] ). I have a 2005 ZX4. The stock is nice and all, but kinda just blah after a while.. and I need More Power!

Here's a few questions:

1) I have two units, Pioneer and I think a Sony, my sister gave me because the cd players don't work. If I knew how to fix them, would either (or both) of them be worth using? Or should I just go out and buy new stuff?

2) I have a pretty low budget for now, but will splurge (later on) for a better system than what's there. What are some good choices? And, I of course can't buy the amp, sub, etc. all at once, so what should I buy first to hear the difference in sound? I love BASS []

3) How much does a new (Bezel?) cost since the cover is gay and combined with the climate controls?


Now once I have what I need,
4) how do I actually go about changing the radio? I don't know what wires are what, or where they go, etc. You have to pretty much give me the idiot rundown [dunno] But, the one thing I Do Know is how to Remove it (this being because my lovely friend managed to put a cd in wrong and it got stuck in there! - went to the top, above the cd/reader spot. What a hassle that was l:/ ) Do I have to get to the wires or whatever through the glove box?


Last but not least:

Do I always have to unplug the battery when working on the radio?? I just want to see if my two head units work before putting everything back in.

Thank you for any help in advance! []

 

[gonzorelic]

I have no knowledge of Car Audio (or cars at all; finally got the chance to major in Auto Tech so I can learn everything there is to know =] ). I have a 2005 ZX4. The stock is nice and all, but kinda just blah after a while.. and I need More Power!

Here's a few questions:

1) I have two units, Pioneer and I think a Sony, my sister gave me because the cd players don't work. If I knew how to fix them, would either (or both) of them be worth using? Or should I just go out and buy new stuff?

2) I have a pretty low budget for now, but will splurge (later on) for a better system than what's there. What are some good choices? And, I of course can't buy the amp, sub, etc. all at once, so what should I buy first to hear the difference in sound? I love BASS []

3) How much does a new (Bezel?) cost since the cover is gay and combined with the climate controls?


Now once I have what I need,
4) how do I actually go about changing the radio? I don't know what wires are what, or where they go, etc. You have to pretty much give me the idiot rundown [dunno] But, the one thing I Do Know is how to Remove it (this being because my lovely friend managed to put a cd in wrong and it got stuck in there! - went to the top, above the cd/reader spot. What a hassle that was l:/ ) Do I have to get to the wires or whatever through the glove box?


Last but not least:

Do I always have to unplug the battery when working on the radio?? I just want to see if my two head units work before putting everything back in.

Thank you for any help in advance! []

go with the pioneer, much better sound quality than sony.

get yourself a radio removal tool from walmart for about 5 bux.

put them in the side holes on the radio and pull outward to remove the unit.

next you will need the harness to attach the radio to the stock plug harness.
this costs about 10 bux at walmart.

butt connect the harness' wires to the corresponding colored wires on the factory harness. you can buy these at walmart for cheap as well as a crimp tool.

now get yourself a dash kit for your car. i havent found one of these for a focus at walmart so you may have to try best buy or circuit city or maybe a local audio shop. they are also available online. they are about $15.

you will also need an antenna adapter to connect the radio antenna.
these are a few dollars, very cheap.

and your all set. just butt connect the harnesses together and slide the stereo into the dash kit then plug it in. connect the antenna adapter to the stock wire and also the stereo and slide the dash kit back into the dash hole until it clicks. your all done!

 

[kris4christ2]

thanks.. I already had the radio out [8D] but, mine doesn’t use that tool, just a 7mm ratchet

Is there only one kind of harness? Or different car specific ones? Now is the "harness" just the wires, the plastic ends, or the whole thing? Would this be it? it was hanging around by itself:

It also has Door Lock, Door Switch, and Alarm Sensor wires. Why would those be there?? (My sister had a Honda if that makes any difference in the wires or harness?)


Is "butt connecting" crimping the wires together and covering the spliced ends with the little rubber/plastic covers?

If that's it, then it looks already connected and I don’t need the crimp tool, or to do anything else, right?


i'll double check at walmart, but i'm sure they wouldn't have anything good anyway. thank you, i'll go to circuit city soon. I checked online and saw these.. Is this what they mean by single DIN and double DIN?

One Head Unit (Single)

Or Two Head Units? (Double)

Or for double DIN: can it be a large single unit the size of two? (like my ugly stock?) And, what does DIN mean/stand for? have you seen or heard of anyone using two HU, or is that just.. pointless? i read in a thread some have the unit and a separate equalizer to take up the space

 

[death_bomber]

2 headunits are pointless. you would use the second slot for like equilizers, dvd players etc.

 

[rebelboy6121987]

Most aftermarket stereos are single din. a double din is 2 times the size and some people prefer this size option over others. it all depends on the size of stereo you want. for instance if u want a basic cd player it will most likely be a single din mount... if ur upgrading to a in dash dvd player, a double din is the way to go instead of a single din flip up moniter...

 

[gonzorelic]

din is the standard in the head unit opening measurement. a normal head unit like you have is a din or a single din. a 2 din or double din is twice the height of a single din. they also have a din and a half. but those are more rare. your stock head unit is about a 1.8 din. almost a 2 din but a 2 din head unit will fit with some maneuvering. i put a 2 din kenwood touchscreen in my car.

those crimps are just a different style of butt connector so you wont need to butt connect any wires if that is the harness that fits your car. most ford harnesses are the same so you should be ok there. looks like you just need the dash kit and the antenna adapter and your set.

 

[SkyPilot]

walmart actually has good stuff, its all i have really ever used and no problems its about half of what you will pay at circuit city, and sometimes its the same exact product. just my $.02 just tryin to save you a little dough

 

[kris4christ2]

2 headunits are pointless. you would use the second slot for like equilizers, dvd players etc.

ok, i was thinking that. thanks =]

 

[kris4christ2]

din is the standard in the head unit opening measurement. a normal head unit like you have is a din or a single din. a 2 din or double din is twice the height of a single din. they also have a din and a half. but those are more rare. your stock head unit is about a 1.8 din. almost a 2 din but a 2 din head unit will fit with some maneuvering. i put a 2 din kenwood touchscreen in my car.

those crimps are just a different style of butt connector so you wont need to butt connect any wires if that is the harness that fits your car. most ford harnesses are the same so you should be ok there. looks like you just need the dash kit and the antenna adapter and your set.

ohh ok. sounds good

this is the sony (which i won't use, but for example) this antenna piece alone wouldn't attach to the stock wires? [i forgot what it looks like] and is the adapter basically universal, or do they vary in size or whatever?

 

[kris4christ2]

walmart actually has good stuff, its all i have really ever used and no problems its about half of what you will pay at circuit city, and sometimes its the same exact product. just my $.02 just tryin to save you a little dough

thanks, i'll def be stopping by walmart first. it's only 5 min away ^__^

 

[gonzorelic]

not that antenna wont work. it will need an adapter for a ford. different makes have different antenna connects.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Are the radio harnesses the same from 2000 through to 2007?

 

[gonzorelic]

no 2000-04 is different than 05-07. and the blaupunkt is different from both of those.

 

[kris4christ2]

what do Blaupunkt (sp?) and Audiophile mean?? what are they?

 

[gonzorelic]

different radios. the blaupunkt is a stereo made by the company blaupunkt who is an aftermarket stereo manufacturer. the audiophile is a high end factory stereo used in the svt focus' they are also 6 disc changer in dash.

 

[kris4christ2]

Ohhh, ok thanks [thumb]

 

[gonzorelic]

np =]

 

[kris4christ2]

just curious, what kind of radio do you have in your car?

 

[kris4christ2]

also the radio antennas i'm seeing are $15+ !! (circuit city) i see nothing on walmart.com, but will check in store tomorrow.. where can i get good quality stuff? but as cheap as possible

 

[gonzorelic]

i have a kenwood ddx7015 in dash touch screen dvd player in my car.
heres a pic of it

heres a adapter for $9.99 the have them on cardiscountstereos.com for $6.99 but they dont list a ford one. you could email them and see if they carry them im sure they do.
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=2890

heres one on ebay for $6
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120309021005&category=32812&refid=store

and heres a froogle on them. you can choose which one youd want to buy.
http://www.google.com/products?q=focus+Antenna+Adaptor&scoring=p