Installing Aftermarket Head Units
Are you thinking about installing your own car stereo head unit? Be sure to read this article and figure out what you will need to do to get it done. Upgrading the sound system is usually one of the first modifications attempted when we talk about car customization. The best place to start is with a good head unit. If you plan to install it yourself, read on for some technical tips from our experience installers. You will need a few tools to do the job right, so start by collecting some screwdrivers (flat head and phillips head), a socket set, wire cutters, wire splitters, butt connectors or heat shrinking sleeves, electrical tape, zip ties, solder and a soldering iron, and some patience. The first thing I would do before installing I would suggest buying the stereo wiring harness for your vehicle application. This will make the installation easier for you if you are a beginner, and it allows for easier replacement of the stock radio (if you choose to sell the vehicle in the future) and swapping or upgrading to a different aftermarket head unit. Begin by disconnecting the negative battery cable from the battery. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally cross any wires and burn out a new piece of equipment. Next, remove the old head unit. If you need to see how this is done on your specific vehicle, you can look up your vehicles application on installdr.com. This is a great resource for seeing pictures of how to remove the head unit. Once it is loose, disconnect the wiring harness and the antenna from the head unit and remove it completely. There are two types of wiring harnesses you can get. There is the universal wiring harness that connects to your vehicles existing wiring harness, and has the unfinished wire ends that connect to the color coded wires of your new head unit. There is also a wiring harness that has a harness on both ends, and just clicks in place on both sides. These are the easiest to install, but can be harder ot find to match your vehicle to the head unit. Most wiring harnesses are the universal type, so we will focus on those. If you have obtained the wiring harness, you will notice the color coded wires in the back of the head unit. The wires on the head unit and wiring harness should match. The head unit wires and the wiring harness wires will be partially spliced for easy installation. There are several good ways to connect the wires. One way is to use butt connectors, which crimp the wires within a connector. These can be picked up almost anywhere that sells/installs head units, or at Walmart, etc. My favorite way requires a soldering iron and heat shrinking sleeves. Twist the wires together tightly. Apply just enough solder to weld the two wires together. Now fold them over parallel to one of the wires. Slide the sleeve over the connection and heat it with a heat gun or good hair dryer. I have had to rewire or repair systems where butt connectors were used, but this could be installer error, and not a problem with the connectors themselves. I have never had any of the soldered connections fail. Once all the connections are made, and the sleeves heated and shrunk in place, I like to take a zip tie and tie them all together. Clip the excess zip tie for a clean finished look. Connect the wiring harness of the head unit to the wiring harness connected to the vehicle. Plug in the antenna (you may find you need an antenna adapter in some applications). Now slide the head unit in place, but don’t attach it yet. Reconnect the negative battery cable and turn on the head unit (make sure the key is turned to the ACC position). It should be functioning properly at this point. If you plan on adding an amp, or have purchased one for this setup, turn the unit off and connect the RCA cables. Run them through the dash to the floorboard and to the amp (more on how to successfully do this in future articles). If you encounter problems, you can email <A HREF="mailto:support@majesticmodifications.com">support@majesticmodifications.com</A> for help. Brought to you by <A HREF="http://www.majesticmodifications.com" TARGET="_blank">http://www.majesticmodifications.com</A>. Majestic Modifications is your online source for auto parts and accessories, installations advice and technical support.
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Ford Driven To Retain "King of the Hill" Reign
The Ford Motor Co. showcased its new F-250 and F-450 Super Duty pickups at the 2007 North American International Auto Show media preview held last Sunday. The preview was graced by renowned press motorists and critics in the industry. The pickups were given all-new looks and feels. It is also equipped with the new 6.4-liter Power Stroke diesel engine which produces up to 325 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The automaker has also ratcheted up the towing capabilities of the pickups to boost their potentials. According to Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, “After 30 years of pickup leadership, the Dearborn-based company is not about to give up its hold, even if sales in the segment continue to fall as a result of a weak economy. We realize that, as a leader, we have a bull’s eye on our back.” The Ford F-250, together with F-350, was introduced in 1999. These Super Duty trucks were engineered to boost dimensions, interiors, towing capacity and commercial applications. Ford F-450 parts were the results of intensive studies and tests conducted by the automaker. The F-450 features a concealed slide-out step and swing up hand grab bar in the rear tailgate to allow easy access to the pickup. The Super Duty trucks epitomize the toughness and quality Ford has established for the longest time. Ford’s Super Duty units will arrive in dealers in early 2007. Ford trucks rivals include General Motors trucks. Chevrolet, for one, boasts the potentials of Silverado, Avalanche and Colorado. Dodge is also competing closely with its Ram and Dakota. Honda’s bet is Ridgeline. Further, one great addition to the pickup truck segment is the Toyota Tundra. With these high-performance pickups, critics said that it is reasonable to think that there is a great possibility for Ford to lose its crown as the “King of the Hill.” Chevrolet truck parts are especially designed to compete with the bread and butter trucks of Ford. Chevrolet Silverado, counterpart of the Sierra, is the second hot-selling pickup in the United States next to the Ford Series. Another improving rival of the F-Series is the Tundra, a full-size pickup truck replacing the T100 of the automaker. The latest Tundra is made bigger to accommodate the growing demands of real truckers. Improved pickup Toyota Tundra truck parts are especially designed to compete with its high-performing rivals. Whether or not the F-Series will lose its track and fall off the uphill truck competition is for enthusiasts to know in the near future. Ford is defending its title for decades now. Upon one hand, auto rivals show eagerness to topple the automaker’s reign. Only time could tell which automaker would grab auto victory instead of misery. Corey Putton is a 28-year old bachelor from Pittsburgh, PA who has been around cars for the better part of his life. He now works online and writes all about his passion: cars. He is also a certified mechanic.
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