Ok I just got a 1988 GT mustang convertible 5.0 v8 posi track with dual exhaust for $1,600 with less then 80,000 miles on it (brag) here is the gallery

http://putfile.com/scarslilpyro/images/102283

My problem is installing an aftermarket head unit, a jensen cd player.

Now I got the power to work, it turns on and everything, but I can't get any signal to the speakers, mainly because the stock speaker wire harness (the grey one) only has about 5 wires, and obviously I need 8, the stock radio still works, but the aftermarket one won't.

Any ideas?

I'm thinking of just re-wireing with some sony xplods in the doors only and leaving the stock wiring there in the door and behind the head unit "just in case"

Please don't leave this thread without leaving an opinion about the car, price, mileage, stereo or condition!

 

edit: I will post pics tomorrow after school in detail describing what I'm talking about but please comment anyway!

 

The problem is the stereo system has a stock amplifier, that needs to be bypassed in order for an aftermarket cdplayer to work.

you have two options here. you can re-wire everything yourself, or you can buy a new harness from your local stereo shop(circuit city, etc) that will connect that 5 wire connector to the other connector, on the other side of the amp.

 

I have the wire harness....the thing is, there are wires missing...where the negative left front of the aftermarket wire harness plugs into the stock connections, the stock connection is missing a wire. sorry if that's what you meant but I really don't get what you mean :\

The stock head unit has an amplifier? No doubt the new one is more powerfull but I don't really get it :\ are you saying there is something behind the dash powering the speakers?

Sounds like I will just add wire to keep stock "just in case" if so, but please clear my confusion up

 

:\ think ill just rewire....but where is the amp?

 

Well, first the factory amp is directly in the the center of the car behind where the old radio used to be. Use a flashlight and you will see it. There are a few bolts holding it in place. Second , I decided to pull out the factory amp and take out the factory wiring harnesses and clean up the wirirng so it isn't so messy. I ran all new wiring for 6-1/2" door speakers, 6"x9" boxed speakers in the hatch, and a 12" sub with mono amp in the hatch, then just hooked up speakers to the head units wiring harness. Just make sure to have ground,constant,and switched power wires hooked up correctly and you should be fine. Just woke up so I dont know if I'm missing anything.

 

You WILL have to wire around the factory amp. Its not complicated, just hard to get to. As said above, the amp is located directly behind the factory head unit, and bolted to the tranny tunnel. Go to any Audio shop and get the connectors to splice around it. You will have to splice the connectors into the factory harness downstream from the amp, and then plug the new harness from the new head unit into it. I also recommend installing the RCA preouts for a sub, and a remote source wire for a sub as well while you are in there. The aftermarket deck will not work with the OEM amp still in use. Good luck.

 

I am not a big fan of jensons, but they work fine with moderatly upgraded systems. That is low mielage on the car and sounds like a good price. I when I put mine in I just bought a harness from my local audio place (The ones wal-mart sells usually are crap, but do know people who like them) and then followed the wireing directions.

 

it uses a common ground for the rear and front if i remember. u do not have to bypass the amp unless u want to. u can get the ford harness at wal mart for like 3 bucks and all wires are labeled for u, there seems to be 2 versions of the harness though.if it helps the amp is located under the seat, the stereo feeds into it back up to near the stereo and to the speakers from that point, it is the blue cable /phone line looking wire

 

i was unaware the amp was behind the head unit in a 88, but none the less its not nessecary to bypas the amp, dont make things ahrder than need be by doing it cus its a bi tch i did a bypass on mine cus it was distoring my speakers since my deck was pushing too much into the factory amp.