Audio Help

[Rick Thompson]

I have a problem and need some advice.



I have a 2005 trac and I have been using the fm transmitter to listen to my MP3's but the audio quality is garbage. so I believe that I want a new head unit that has an aux input?? If so what do I get??



I am really looking for information on the factory speaker wattage, for this truck. I understand some of the information but as I have been told it is best to match the head unit to the speakers as I really have no problem with the the speakers and I don't turn the radio up to ear blasting levels I have no immediate plans to replace them. I really just want to hear quality sound while using my PDA to listen to music.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Drgnslyr,



Many here say they have good luck and quality with FM transmitters...I, like you, am not one of them.



Instead of a new head unit, I saw a guy on his blog did a hack to his existing unit to add an RCA jack. I don't necessarily recommend that, but in the discussion section of that blog entry one person had an ingenious idea for a mod. He said to simply put an in-line switch (normally closed, toggle-open) in the antennae line. The idea. being that you open the switch when you turn on the FM transmitter. Without connection to your antennae your HE unit can only draw signals that are extremly close, like the one from the transmitter.



TJR

 

[Clay Campbell]

basically any after market head unit with an aux input that is of a reputable name brand should be fine, the only thing you dont want to do is buy a unit with a power level less than that of the factory head unit. most you find that are worth anything should be equal or better on the power side.

 

[Rick Thompson]

What is the power level??



I read a post here that said that factory for a 2002 had 16w RMS per speaker? Is this right??

 

[Cody L]

I just installed a Blaupunkt MP57 for the same reasons you're talking about. See my library for pictures.

 

[Clay Campbell]

i dont know what the power of the stock one is but that is a believeable number. however it its kinda low. i have 55w on each speaker. but thats from and amp. most any aftermarket head unit should have atleast 16w per speaker, most likely more like twenty

 

[Jason Housman]

If and when you get a new head unit you should know that you will need a special wire harness in order to keep the sub and back seat controls. Without the harness your sub and controls will no longer work. I am looking into getting this harness as I would like my sub and controls to function again. Here is a link to the adapter you can use.

 

[A K]

Jason:



There are simpler ones that plug right into the '05 sub harness and tie into the HU rear outputs. Crutchfield has them for $20 or so (includes the main harness, too).



Drgnslyr:



What radio do you have? Single or 6CD? Audiophile system? I'll be happy to take you step-by-step either with replacing the headunit or buying an AUX-in converter that plugs into the HU and uses the SAT button to work.

 

[Rick Thompson]

Couple of Points here. I dont have the rear controls or do I have the rear sub. (Really wish I did).



I did purchase a Pioneer head unit the HEP-3000IB and got the wiring harness and single DIN to double housing. Everything works great thank you all for the help.

 

[JerryW Gilliland]

I put a Sony head unit from Crutchfields in my 02.



I chose the one I did because:

It fit perfectly.

Single DIN mounting plate with filler that has a slot for storing stuff.

Has a remote control.

Has a "sub out" for powering a sub in the future.

Has a hard wired iPod connector.

Has an AUX jack for connecting any brand MP3 player.

But it also has a USB port for plugging my flash drives loaded with 500 songs.

That's what I use 99% of the time.

I love it! Crutchfields send the harness and plates at no charge.

It was only about $165 shipped.

Took about 45 minutes to install and it sounds great with OEM speakers.

I can get the model number if anyone's interested.