Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

cvrefugee

Registered
I have a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII and my CD changer finally died. I want to get a new Pioneer MP3 CD deck, but Best Buy and Circuit City are telling my there's a $50-$95 parts fee (for some "chime" harness thing). What's the cheapest way I can put a new stereo in my car?
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

$20 for the wiring harness and adapter kit at your local stereo shop. 5 minutes to remove the old one, 5 minutes to install the new one. 7mm deep socket, small torx type screwdriver. PM me if you need any help or pictures on how to do it, good luck.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

I just ordered this from CarDomain.com

Pioneer DEH-P4600MP MP3 Player
Scosche DIN Removal Tool Installation Tool
Scosche FAI-3A OEM Interface Adapter
Scosche FD1300 Car Stereo Installation Kit
Scosche FDK10 Car Stereo Wiring Harness
SoundDomain.com Connector Kit Head Unit Accessory

It came out to $198.75. Is this a pretty good price? It would have been $20 cheaper but the guy said I needed a bridge on the rear amp. Do I need to splice or crimp any wires?
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

I didnt have the premium sound package on mine so I dont know whether or not bridging the amp is neccessary or how to use the Interface Adapter. The DIN removal tool will be really usefull. With the wiring kit you will have to connect the output wires from the Pioneer to the wires on the Car Stereo Wiring Harness, this can be done away from the car. The pioneer can then plug into what was previously plugged into the old HU.
I have never used one of those interface adapters but i'm sure it will have instructions.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

Cool, thanks for the input. I'm going to take pics in case anybody needs them for future reference (that is, if I can get it all to work!)

Holy crap, they've already shipped my order! Hopefully it won't take too long to get here, it would be nice to do the installation over the weekend.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

That is just a high level to low level convertor. If your radio has RCA outputs, you can just hook those up to it instead.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

Kale,
If you need the adapter for an aftermarket head unit with the stock premium stereo, I have one for sale. I used it for about a month before I put in an aftermarket amp. If your interesed PM or email me
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

Okay, I got the stuff today. I hooked up all of the wires and put the deck in, but no sound. It turned on and off, functioned correctly but I couldn't hear anything. Is this because I haven't installed the amp bridge? It looked freakin' hard and I have no instructions I thought I'd do it later.

Any suggestions???
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

Here's the factory amp, there seems to be a black amp-looking thing next to it, but I think that may be the ballast for the neon tail lights?? Here's the Scosche amp bridge and the instructions. I have no idea what to do now!
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

Look, I'm trying to do this too, and with my experience on a Mark 7 JBL Premium audio setup, it was fine to disable the factory JBL amp using a wiring harness to do so. This is not the case with the Mark 8. To disable the JBL amps would require replacing all the factory speakers.

From what I understand, you need Scosche FDK1. These two harnesses included in the unit will allow you to use your new headunit with no problems, it costs about $25 (www.froogle.com search for FDK1). One harness is to power your headunit, one harness is to reroute the power of the JBL amp through your headunit (bypassing your headunit's built in 4-ch amp, but that is okay). It is very, very easy to install. The hardest part is probably taking out the factory radio unit (which isn't hard).

If anyone thinks I am wrong, please correct me. My theory is untested and I'm waiting on an expert to answer to make my purchase of the FDK10.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

You're right. I didn't have the amp-on wire connected (the wire that tells the amp to turn on). It works beautifully now! So what the heck is that amp bridge I paid $20 for supposed to do? Should I return it? I have no idea what it does nor how to hook it up.

Here's the pic:
http://home.ripway.com/2003-12/46915/Pioneer.jpg
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

You didn't use the Scosche FAI-3A OEM Interface Adapter?

I'm waiting on the intallation kit to install my new headunit and I basically bought the same things you did Cvrefugee. Did you just connect the Scosche FDK10 to the factory unit's harness without splicing wires? And it works with the factory amp? I plan on having the headunit run the factory speakers and using the RCA outputs from the headunit to power an amp since it has built in subwoofer controls. Thanks.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

There's something about that FDK10 harness that lowers the output of the Pioneer deck, I THINK. Don't take my word on that. This is basically what I did, step-by-step.

1. Disconnected the negative terminal on the battery
2. Removed the factory radio using the two U-shaped hook tools
3. Unplugged the three connections from the back of the factory deck (one is the antenna wire)
4. Spliced the Pioneer harness into the FDK10 (you will have a few wires left over, like dash illumination and such. I think three or maybe four wires aren't used). The kit also comes with three hookups, you only use two. You'll see which ones are used.
5. Hooked everything up, the gray and green connector to the FDK10 and the antenna wire into the back of the Pioneer.
6. Mounted the deck and top plastic part. It doesn't screw in anywhere, so anybody could steal it very easily. If anyone knows how to fix this, let me know!
7. Reconnected the battery.

Now, the first time I did this I forgot to splice and crimp one of the wires (the remote signal for the amplifier) but after I figured that out it sounded great. Hopefully this is the correct way of doing it, I don't want to ruin my stock amp. I do have the Premium sound (with eight speakers) so I'm not sure if the setup will be the same on all Marks.

Let me know if you need help!

About the subs, I'm positive it will be simple using the RCA outputs on the deck. I'm thinking about doing that but I need some more money first! Total cost for parts and self-installation, $181.89 (I retured the FAI-3A to CarDomain.com).
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

Thanks for the update! I'm still waiting on the parts from Cardomain.com. I'll be attempting this when the parts come in.
So you spliced the remote turn on to which wire on the factory harness? I'm sure I have the same JBL 8 speaker system you do in my 97.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

Both wires are labeled, I just didn't notice it. They are both blue, if that helps.
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

OK, I got it installed. I had problems with the original Scosche intall kit. It was the SKFD27-3. Its a new kit that has slots to slide CDs into. I tried to install it but it seems flimsy at best. I went with the FD1327 which seemed alot more solid. Here are some pictures.

Factory Stereo removed.
http://mark8.org/users/black97lsc/MZ/DSC01783.JPG

Side view of the FD1327 with stereo sleeve.
http://mark8.org/users/black97lsc/MZ/DSC01784.JPG

Installed, Alpine CDA-9835
http://mark8.org/users/black97lsc/MZ/DSC01787.JPG

Display at night.
http://mark8.org/users/black97lsc/MZ/DSC01790.JPG
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

How is yours held in? I couldn't figure it out very well, although my friend helped me secure it better so it doesn't move anymore. I also like your kit better :( How much was it and how did you install it exactly?
 
RE: Cheapest way to install aftermarket CD deck

I ended up going to a local stereo shop to get the Scosche FDK1327 and it cost me $30. I didn't want to order it from Cardomain and wait another week for it. I wanted my new stereo now. :D
It secures by the plastic clips (clips A on the kit and broke off the B and C clips, if your kit is similiar) along the top edge and along the bottom edge, no screws. At first I just had it sitting in there like you said yours was and it didn't look flush with the dash. I applied a little more pressure and the bottom popped in and then the top. Its pretty secure and just about flush. I would definitely recommend it. Cardomain has it for $10.95 too.

http://images.cardomain.com/products/sco/SCOFD1327B.jpg

In this image you can see the 2 clips on the top that are used to secure it in place. The kit comes with 3 sets of clips, you break off the other 2 sets.

Any more questions, let me know. I'm probably gonna pull it out this weekend to plug in a set of RCA cables, I can take more pics or something.
 
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