Upgraded factory radio in my 97 Mark VIII LSC with JBL Premium Audio

[tbirddmnd]

I'm making a new thread to indicate what I did to change the factory cassette radio out of my 97 LSC to a new Sony AM/FM/HD/CD aftermarket deck. I went with the Sony CDX-GT700HD CD/MP3 receiver with built-in HD radio. I bought it on the 'Bay and not through any physical store, and certainly not at that price on the Sony page.

I kept the factory JBL speakers and amp, and what prompted me to start this thread was my exhaustive search in how others have tackled installing an aftermarket radio and what connectors they used, not only on this forum but others as well. Along with the radio I bought the Scosche FD1327 dash installation kit, the Scosche FDK-10B, and the Scosche FAI-3A converter. The Scosche SLC-4 is exactly the same unit and from my research the converter is necessary if you have an aftermarket radio with amplification. I couldn't figure out from reading many posts which 2 connectors people were using from the FDK-10B package as I was trying to gain time last night and connect wires at work. The Lincoln was home so I couldn't do a quick pull to tell on my own.

Upon removing the factory cassette radio with the removal tools there are 3 connections on the back. One for the antenna, one for the power and one for the signals sent to the amp. The amp then distributes signal to the speakers.

The Scosche FDK-10B has 3 connectors with wires in the bag. On my car I used the grey and the green connectors. The Scosche FAI-3A/SLC-4 converter is used between the radio and the connector to the amp. The radio output wires go to the converter input, the converter output goes to the green Scosche connector which in turn connects to the black plastic connector going to the amp. Scosche includes instructions for the converter and why it's needed. The grey Scosche connector connects to the power connector in the car once the wires have been mated to the radio power wires. I simply twisted them together and wrapped electrical tape on them tightly. My radio slid easily into the Scosche FD1327 dash kit with the storage pocket underneath and that in turn goes into your dash opening. The hardest thing I found was trying to lay the Scosche converter out of the way enough to let the radio in. It took a few minutes but I got it in and I'm enjoying the great crisp sounds of HD Radio along with selecting and playing my own CDs from within the cabin instead of from the now-skipping 6-CD changer in the trunk. I did lose the ability to control that CD changer but it's not important to me - I gained a front panel USB input as well as an aux input.

I'll post pictures tomorrow, they were taken with my Motorola RAZR phone so they're not the best quality, and I didn't take step-by-step photos, just photos of the vehicle connectors and the final installation. I was busy getting the radio in to stop and snap away!

I'll be glad to answer any questions!

 

[tbirddmnd]

Pics of my install

I only have 3 images, sorry, and that RAZR doesn't take great photos but it works great as a cell phone.

The first 2 show the connectors that went to the back of the factory radio, minus the antenna connection, and the last is of the finished installation. Like I indcated earlier it sounds great and the HD stations offer different programming than their main counterparts. There are a few here in the Detroit area, and this Sony has the best-sounding AM I ever heard.

The display shows tags from the radio and CDs, plus an MP3 player or other source can be connected to the front aux or USB input. I connected my RAZR cell phone to it via the USB and it immediately started playing the MP3 music files I stored on the phone. Not only that but it charges my phone while it's playing! The display tags show up from the phone as well. In the last image the display indicates "SIDESHOW" which is the soul tune by the group "Blue Magic" from the early to mid 70s. Remember that one?

 

[black97lsc]

Very clean job. I also prefer the pocket below the head unit as I did that too. Nicely done!

 

[tbirddmnd]

Thanks Manny!

I only wish I had my Canon digital SLR with me but it was in the house and I was knee-deep in wires and tools in the driveway to go get it!

It sounds great, and comes with a remote control as well. I hope the info I posted as to the connectors and the converter can help others planning to tackle this fairly easy job.

 

[Mad1stGen]

Since when a sony radio is an upgrade ? Did you see the s/n ratio on it ?

okay okay ... j/k man ... stop by Bills' on Saturday we're killing another parts car

 

[tbirddmnd]

Ha-ha! Oh yeah, the S/N ratio is better than the factory one, plus it does WAY more stuff than the other one! Sounds way better too! That HD Radio feature is cool!

I'll have to see about Saturday at Bill's - I'm still doing the temp job until the 26th. Saturday we're having family come in from overseas to DTW at 18:30. I work Saturday until 16:00 though too! However I do need some minor things for the interior!

 

[jvi]

i wish someone made a direct fit replacement. i know its not a doulble din, but with so many of fords' havin the same size in the dash, by now, it would've been nice... the pocket is cool to have but other than a custom install and the help of a mini wizz wheel i guess we're s.o.l.....

 

[izackary]

It can fit a DD.

Look up Metra part no. 95-5817.

 

[tbirddmnd]

Yep, there's room for a DD.

That HD Radio makes certain AM stations sound crisp and clear like FM. Those AM stations have to be broadcasting in HD though. In the Detroit area I have come across 2 so far, the local CBS News radio network and Radio Disney (for my 3 girls!). When you tune to the station it starts out sounding like regular AM and then in the span of about 5-7 seconds it transforms to an FM-sounding signal with full fidelity. It's pretty neat to hear it! I'm sure there are others aside from those 2 stations on the AM band, there are plenty on FM. Some of the HD-2 stations on FM offer different programming - for example if the "oldies" station is playing some disco or Madonna crap the HD-2 station is playing the REAL oldies like the Beatles or some Motown, usually without commercial or disc jockey interruption.

If you're looking to upgrade then consider an HD Radio.

 

[budpytko]

Real oldies like the Beatles?????? You got it ALL wrong....real oldies is Glen Miller or Helen O'Connell or mid-0ldies like Bill Haley and even Stan Freburg !!!!!!!

 

[tbirddmnd]

Very true! But there aren't any regular stations playing these phenomenal classics, you can only find them on Sirius XM. Shame. There will never ever be another radio station like WNEW-AM 1130 from NYC (1934 to 1992), "Where the melody lingers on". Real DJs like Jim Lowe, Ted Brown, Al "Jazzbeau" Collins, and the GREAT William B. Williams.

It was Glenn Miller's 2nd band that made it, his first was a flop. He didn't get that incredible clarinet-led reed sound an octave above the saxophones in tight harmony and the "doo-wah" brass and the warm trombone choir until 1938. Vocals were by Ray Eberle and Marion Hutton and then a bit later on Dorothy Claire, and the wonderful Paula Kelly with the Modernaires. Prior to all this Miller was a trombonist and sometime arranger in the Dorsey Brothers Band around 1935, and he played in Broadway pit bands before that. This is all from memory, I've been a fan of the big bands from birth I think, and of course of the best singer the world has ever seen: SINATRA. I've got everything he ever did. I also have the full set of Time-Life "The Swing Era" that they issued in boxed-sets in the early 70s on Capitol Records, both on vinyl and CD! Man I've got so much swing and standards that I can open my own "Music Of Your Life" station!

When I referred to oldies I should have indicated "rock oldies"! Sorry for the rant!

 

[budpytko]

Ray Eberle and his brother Bob were from my home town.... weren't born there, but his family moved there not long after his birth.... Hoosick Falls, NY. Born in Mechanicsville, NY. He had two other brothers that sang locally in shows around the capitol district. They were quite the Irish singers and family. Knew their youngest sister Gayle real well.

I thought WNEW is at 1010 on the AM dial???? Driving back and forth from Oceana, VA and home listened a lot to WQBW, Buffalo ( the HOUNDS around) and WBZ, Boston too. (Cousin Brucie). And I did sip coke out of the bottle after I dumped my peanuts in (Planter's, of course) while listening to WWVA, Wheeling, WV!!!!!

My record (78's - 45's - 33's and cd's) all total up to 30, 395 song titles and counting as I don't have nearly all the unlogged ones I still have. I was and still am, a big Joni James fan from the 50's-60's. I have a number of UNPLAYED 78 by her. I could go on and on, but as I commandeered the thread, I'd better quit!

 

[tbirddmnd]

Hi Bud - 1010 is/was WINS, a competitor to the NYC CBS flagship WCBS-AM 880. WNEW-AM was at 1130 until December of 1992 when it was sold to Bloomberg. A great loss indeed. The very last song played on the air before the change-over was the Sinatra 1962 recording of "We'll Meet Again", from the "Sinatra Sings Great Songs From Great Britain" album on his Reprise label, with arrangements by Robert Farnon, who was the Nelson Riddle of England. A very rare LP, not available in the USA until 1985 when it made its' way here on a Japanese virgin vinyl pressing, which I have. It was eventually issued on CD in the 1990s.

Bob Eberle was a vocalist with the Jimmy Dorsey big band, but I never knew of their other brothers. I know that Ray Eberle's daughter Jan wrote a book about her father.

Cousin Brucie (Bruce Morrow) was also a DJ on the huge WABC-AM 770, which I listened to as a kid growing up in the 1970s. That station played all the great 70s songs until they switched format to talk in 1982.

No problem on the hijack! If you didn't know, all the big bands are still around. I've seen the current Glenn Miller Orchestra at least 20 times in the last 9 years, you can visit their website at www.glennmillerorchestra.com , and you can see photos and the band's schedule.

To bring this back to the original topic, all this great music sounds wonderful with my new radio in the Mark!

 

[budpytko]

I have the XM Radio for my vehicles AND the house. I move it around. Works great. DYK that Bob and Ray spelled their name differently? One used ly and the other was le.
Eberle or Eberly ...... Can't remember which was which. They had a 15 minute TV show out of NYC in the early '50's. If I remember, Bob used the real spelling, Eberle.

Thanks for the update on the Miller Band tour date! I just may go seen 'em.

 

[izackary]

Yeah, man...keep in mind this IS a Lincoln crowd when listing oldies.

HD Radio is indeed neat, though. Just think of the quality of AM as the same as streaming internet radio. I went from listening to my sports radio on regular AM radio to streaming online after I moved cross-country, and it was weird!

 

[tbirddmnd]

Bud - Ray used Eberle, Bob used Eberly.

By all means I HIGHLY recommend seeing the Glenn Miller Orchestra! A special treat if they're playing at an outdoor park or pavilion/gazebo because it's FREE! If you like that clarinet reed sound with the saxes you'll enjoy it! At the moment there's nothing listed for Maryland or in DC.

 

[budpytko]

There is ONE in MD, only thing is it's listed for Virginia!! And in 2011!!! Pokamoke City. It IS on the MD/VA border. City is in VA, the venue is in MD. Confusing, eh? Love the saxes and clarinets..... Played sax in grade/high school. There is a CD out called - "IN THE DIGITAL MOOD". If you don't have it, find it. It is GREAT! Don't know if it's still in print, but google it, it'll be for sale SOMEWHERE!

Just dig up the disc and it IS conducted by Larry O'Brien.... Catalog # GRP-D-9502

 

[izackary]

This sounds like a Joe (BadSax) event...

 

[tbirddmnd]

Forgive me for resurrecting an old thread, BUT....

Yes, bringing this thread back for a simple question that I've searched and searched through many pages here and can't find the answer:

How many watts of power does the factory JBL amp in the Gen2 put out?

The Sony head unit I have indicates 52 watts x 4. When I turn the volume up the sound distorts and I want to see if bypassing the amp totally will help. I've replaced the rear speakers with Infinity Kappa 6x8 speakers that were in the back of my 97 Tbird. I'd like to change the 5x7 speakers in the doors with the same Infinity Kappa 6x8 speakers which I have.

I tend to think I'll have cleaner sound from my Sony head unit. I still love this HD Radio! I can plug in a flash memory stick into the USB port that's pre-loaded with music and enjoy many hours of tunes. I'm also planning on adding Sirius XM with an external radio.

Any thoughts? Bud - did you ever get to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra?

 

[izackary]

I highly doubt the "52" "watts" will really compete with the JBL amp. Just compare the guts alone, and remember to also compare apples to apples. RMS watts (probably 16 on the Sony) vs peak watts (52). Signal to noise ratio, distortion percentages, etc.