My wife recently bought a 2008 F150 for herself. It is an XL model but has cloth seats, all power options. She now wants a CD Player, as here truck is only an AM/FM Radio. I didn't even realize that was still an option but I guess it is. I have an 06 Super Duty that has the 6-disc changer in the dash. She said she would like to have one like that for her truck. My question is this - Would an in-dash six-disc changer work in her truck, even if her truck not equipped with the premium sound package? Would it be a direct plug and play procedure? Thanks!

 

Factory radios are expensive....I would go with a after-market unit with the bells and whistles she wants. That way you get Bluetooth and all the good stuff.

 

personally I am looking at this pioneer unit....



I have the MP3 changer and it has worked great...but the fact that our local radio station selection has turned to crud...and that I like Pandora and Spotify for listening to my own choices...this looks like a good deal I think.

 

Thanks for the posts. She had wanted the factory unit because she was afraid of an aftermarket stereo being to attention grabbing, but we have been talking about one like posted in the link above. She has mentioned installing a backup camera as well, and it would be neat to get a stereo that would display the back up camera image as well.

 

In my experience the factory radio's have been interchangeable. I know the new models(2013) need to be programmed though. Factory head units are expensive but you can always call your local salvage yards if you want to go the OEM route. The aftermarket ones just don't look right to me.

 

well I took the plunge.

got the 3600 like in the link I posted. also got the Metra wiring harness (looks more like just a plain old pig tail...but oh well) and the dash kit from the same guys. Also got a USB and 3.5mm Aux extension flush mount kit. Going to install it next to the cig lighter on the black center piece. figured its coming up on my birthday so what the heck.

 

Make sure to report back what you think about it once you have it installed.

 

will do...I'll try to take a few pics in the process...but thankfully with these trucks its easy breezy to install a radio.

Also got the chingadeer that lets you use the video whenever you want (kinda like the Lockpick I have on the wife's 2013 Escape) and a remote mic for the bluetooth phone thing.

gonna put the mic probably up around the top of the plastic trim piece on the A-pillar.

but with taxes and all that stuff I have a bit less than 350 into it.

eventually I'll get one of those license plate cameras and install that too...but that's for another day. :P

 

okay...I dunno what is going on with this pic going sideways...I honestly think this is the first time I have tried to upload a picture. :P

SO...the metra kit is okay...could be a bit more of a custom fit but seeing as they need to be able to fit all different radios I get it. there are two tabs on either side that need to be trimmed...you will know which ones...trust me.

the wiring of the unit went so much easier with the adapter from metra...their wiring code was the exact same for Pioneer...you will want to double check this when/if you do yours...but it was a breeze. I soldered and heat-shrank all my connections but you could use butt-splice connectors as well with no issues I am sure. you will want to have plenty of zip-ties around as well...you will have extra loom to be certain.

The plug for the usb and aux input was a 1 1/8" hole saw cut and it could have gone on either side of the cig lighter. Heck with the amount of cable that unit had, you could have put it anywhere on the dash dang near.

Lastly, the radio comes with an external mic for phone and such. Has plenty of cable to put it along the a-pillar right at the top where the plastic ends.

Here is a list of the items I purchased for this install....


Genuine DIYBypass for the AVH series Pioneers
Metra 70-5520 radio wiring harness
Metra 95-5812 dash kit (new style 04 thru 08)
Pioneer AVH-X3600BHS radio



Now...I made a mistake on ordering the dash kit. I got the 99-5812 kit...that is a single din adapter....

needless to say...I found out about my faux pas only when I was ready to install the radio. darrell was angry. :P lol