Aftermarket Radio Install

[vinster888]

First post. So, hello to all members and thanks for your help.

I have installed an aftermarket radio in my 08 Sport Trac and all is functional. For the most part. The one thing I miss is having the radio shut off when the drivers door opens as opposed to turning the key off. Is there a specific wire I can use as the ACC wire on the radio to have this feature back?

 

[Tech By Trade]

No, its all controlled by the cad bus in the explorer and sport trac. If you hacked off the factory connector you are in even worse shape. in order to have it work properly you need either a metra or a ISC module that converts the cad bus to analog for the aftermarket stereo. Not sure of the actual part number but the metra one is half the price of the ISC unit.

Edit, here is the metra unit. You also need the 5v step down for the sub if you have it. http://metraonline.com/part/XSVI-5521-NAV

 

[JohnnyO]

I've been kinda thinking about putting an aftermarket head unit in my '08 since the sound does truly suck once you turn it up a little bit loud. Does anybody know if I use the proper adapter will the steering wheel controls still work? I like my steering wheel buttons.

If you hacked off the factory connector you are in even worse shape.

The used Mustang we got for my son had an aftermarket stereo that was truly a train wreck of an install. I ended up gutting the interior over the winter when he was away at grad school and taking it to Geek Squad to fix it up right. Luckily the factory connector was still there even though the radio, equalizer, and sub were all hard wired right to the battery. They rewired it properly, then I wired and put new speakers and tossed out the sub that barely worked myself. Geek Squad dude just shook his head and said that ANY aftermarket system would honestly not be as good as the factory Mach audio system that was ripped out.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Yes, the no one should have messed with the MACH system, thats for sure.

For steering wheel control you will also need one of these, http://metraonline.com/part/ASWC-1
Also, Ford in all their wisdom, decided to use a 5v remote for their amps, you will either need one of these http://metraonline.com/part/AFDI-5V or else run around 4k ohms in series on the remote line, or else you end up with a loud "POP" when ever the amp powers up.