I'm writing this post not only for personal advise, but as a tutorial for others who might also come across the same difficulties.

I recently bought a 1998 3.8 V6 Mustang, and one of the first things I wanted to do was upgrade the sound system in it. I have no idea how to tell whether I have a "Mach 460" or "Premium" sound system in the car, so I took a few pictures in hopes that you guys might be able to figure that out.

I managed to remove the Cassette and CD player using the "Din Tools". I also bought a DVD/CD stereo at Wal-Mart along with the wiring harness that supposedly works with my car. My problem lies here. The harness I bought doesn't seem to be all that I need.

Pic 1. Stock CD/Cassette Devices:
(rear) http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0746.jpg
(front) http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0747.jpg

Pic 2. All stock HU connections:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0736.jpg

Pic 3. To Stock cassette:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0737.jpg

Pic 4. To Stock CD:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0738.jpg

Pic 5. Wires to the back right:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0739.jpg

Pic 6. Stock AMP? :
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0740.jpg

Pic 7. Wiring harnesses (left) and Aftermarket Stereo (right):
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0741.jpg

Pic 8. Stereo Manual Cover:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0743.jpg

Pic 9. Front Right Speaker:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0745.jpg

Pic 10. Rear Right Speaker:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/IMG_0748.jpg

So my questions are:
1. What type of system do I have? (Mach 460, Premium, ect.)
2. If I do have a Mach 460 system, Is it wise to remove the amp entirely without any complications?
3. Is there a basic way to simply buy the correct harnesses, plug everything up, and be all set to go?
4. What are all of the extra connections seen in the pictures?

I also will be installing two 12" Subs wiht an amp.
5.How do I go about installing this with the above information provided?

I will eventually be upgrading all the speakers, but for now, I just need to know how to get everything in place.

I hope this post isn't too scattered and difficult to understand. Thanks.
If you need any more info, please feel free to ask.

- Sapient

 

that is a little confusing to me, and I thought I was the 460 jedi on here... The stock wiring in the dash tells me yes, the amp in the dash also says yes, but the rear speakers say no... The biggest part of the 460 was the rear amp rack/enclosure(with 2 - 5 x 7's and 2 - 3.5's) which is missing in yours. We have had people on here ask about situations like this but we have never had pics. It looks like you have the front pieces of the mach system but the amp now drives the 5 x 7's rather then the tweeters that it normally does. I would recommend bypassing it all together and the good news is that if you do this, it can be easily done and you already have the hrns to do it. Page 2 of my cardomain page shows where the bypass hrns is. You can probably get to it through the radio hole without removing the dash.

 

So what you're saying is, that the wiring clip that you see in picture 5 is what I connect one of my wiring harness' to? Which one? Is that the speaker negs and pos, or the ground/power/dimmer ect. ?

The reason I ask is because the only other wiring clip that fits the harness' that I have coming from the dash, doesn't line up with the wires in each slot of the harness. Is this ok?

 

i dont think thats a mach system are the speakers coaxial or component

 

thats funny, as if ford uses coax....... They came out with a "MACH" system that was not the 460 or 500, and this is it.

You will need to disconnect the factory amp from the speakers by disconnecting the hrns I piont at on page 2 of my cardomain page. The hrns is mounted (or should be close)to tbe passenger side of the consol, beside the radio. IFyou have your factory radio plugged in and playing, and disconnect that hrns all you sound will quit. Now plug in the black 8-pin speaker hrns and you have connected your deck to the speakers. You can remove the amp if you want, there are 4 - 10mm screws holding it down and it is a great place to hid other componants, my sirius box is in that spot.

 

I just ripped the amp out along with all the cables attached to it, then used the instructions on ttocs (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2395420 ) car domain to wire the stereo to the speakers. As far as the Power/Ground/Ignition ect... I just used the common schemadics from the original car's harness (http://www.sapientweb.com/crap/98mustangwire.html )

 

The made a Mach system that wasn't 460??!!? (Or the 500)

 

Yes it was a mix of the two. They had a cd player and the front tweeters(and amp/x-over for them) and did not have any of the big expensive 460 equipment/enclosure.

So is everything working then?

 

Yes, everything is working, I just have the ignition wire from my stereo hooked to the battery cause I couldnt find the ignition wire in the mustang. I just have to manually turn it on and off when I want. And just FIY, the system I had didn't have any tweeters like you stated above.