I currently have the Mach 460 in my 04gt. The stock unit is stealing my cd's and I am really wanting an ipod hookup, so I am looking to swap out for an aftermarket head unit. I just have a couple of questions before I go for it:

1. I don't plan on installing the unit myself, will Best Buy or any other audio shop install the unit so that my Mach system still functions as it does now or will some of my speakers / amp no longer work?

2. Current set-up is double din. Will it look funny switching to single din or will they just install a little pocket / shelf compartment in the empty space?

3. If I were to attempt this install on my own, is there a single harness our there that I can use for a correct installation or will I have to piece several together like ttoc's cardomain states?

Sorry for all the questions guys...car audio is just a bit out of my comfort zone.

 

answers to your questions

1. a good shop/installer will make everything work right

2. this depends on taste and money. yes a pocket will be installed for the single din. if you have the cash you can spring for the double din

3. if you tackle this task yourself. take the radio out and take it with you when to buy the harness.

 

it really isn't a big deal to put a deck in the mach and doesn't have to be as hard as I made it. My way allowed me to use the subwoofer control on the deck to control the factory subs but there are easier ways and we can help to guide you if you want.

You can put a pocket in below the radio, or you can install a double din deck. The third option is to get a single din dash and install it to keep a factory look. Most people want the double din and would be happy to trade ya.

A good shop should be able to help you with all of this(except the dash swap) but that can be hard to find. Every shop has a bad installer, you never know which is in your car....

 

Thanks for the information guys. After thinking about it further, I think that I might attempt install myself. My birthday is in June, and I will prob ask my wife for my HU then. Just got to decide now whether I want single or double din. Thanks again.

 

This is all you need: metra harness- 70-5521

metra double din dash kit- 95-5026 or metra single din kit- 99-5026.....

There is no factroy dash replacement needed bc your factory deck is double din(alittle bigger, that where the dash kit comes into play)

You do not need to peice together any harnesses metra makes that harness that does everything(see above model number).....Ford just went amp crazy in cars/trucks back in the day.

Where abouts in Atlanta are you? Maybe I can tell you a good place to go, if I know any installers in you area?

 

I am actually a bit NW of ATL, in Paulding County.

I was doing a bit more thinking about this. I won't really need my cd's if I can just get an ipod hookup, so what if I just did an inline fm modulator and kept the stock hu instead of replacing the unit. Looks like scosche has one for about $50 on crutchfield. Does anybody know if they are any good? I want my ipod to play with cd quality sound. Does the modulator shave off some bass like music on the radio?

 

A wired in transmitter will be better then a wireless.....but it is not cd quality sound.... I explain it to people like a strong fm station sound(97.1 or 95.5 I dont know how those channels sound like over by you but by me they are extremly strong and some what clear)

If you dont care about losing the cd player then just get the ipod interface made to plug up throught the radio. It will be cheaper then an aftermarket deck and the sound will be better too.

 

Can't help ya then.......

 

if you just want to play your ipod get you one of these. they are cool.

http://fusioncaraudio.com/north-and-...8-product.aspx

 

Yeah I have seen that headunit and its a dumb idea bc besides fm/am radio you have or ipod NO CD PLAYER......and on top of that your ipod slides in behind the face sooooo when some idiot breaks into your car to steal the radio they get your ipod too.....