PhilD
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I just wanted to share with everyone my experience of changing the factory fitted 6 CD changer stereo in my 2002 Thunderbird, this unit had started to jam the CD's so I decided to install a new system. After a lot of looking and comparing (plus price being important I'm sorry to say) I finally set on the
2020 Moderator Note- Here is a newer post with an Alpine System
Power Acoustik PDN-626B 6.2" Double-DIN In-Dash GPS Navigation LCD Touchscreen DVD Receiver with Bluetooth
Moderator Note Try this Pioneer if above is sold out- https://amzn.to/2D6rH4F
Phew that is a mouthful. I also bought the following parts needed to fit it into the dash and for the wiring.
Scosche LN1329B - 2000-06 Lincoln LS / 2002-06 Ford Thunderbird Double DIN Kit or
METRA 70-5519 AMPLIFIER INTERGRATION HARNESS FOR SELECT FORD 1998-08
The stereo cost approx $157 plus tax, free shipping though so thats good, the scosche dash kit was only $10 and the metra wiring adaptor $6, so in all not bad.
Now the reason I went for this stereo is it had blue tooth for the phones, an input for a back up camera which I have fitted as I don't want to hit any curbs or poles with my TBird. Also it came with navigation, a plus although I don't think it can be updated, it has inputs for micro sd card, usb and also mini headphone style socket to connect music from other devices including a phone. Radio which works really well and the kicker wires for your stereo steering wheel controls. It also has a large size touchscreen, plus it comes with a stylus (yeah will never use that so it will sit forever in the center console...just in case) and a remote (well its a plastic stick with rows of buttons, you'll never remember which is what anyway. So you can see it had lots of features but I really wanted the blue tooth, back up camera, steering wheel controls, navigation and micro sd card input.
The wiring is hard and you have to use connectors to connect the stereo wires to the standard loom in the dash, the double din scosche dash kist fits easily but when I had to pull it out to refit the stereo it caught the upper air vents and broke a plastic (of course it was plastic) clip on the vent, so beware of that. The stereo is a very tight fit with all the wires and stuff but it will go in after a fight. I should also add it has an antennae for the GPS part which screws onto the back of the unit and with plenty of cable to run quite a way, I actually ran it along and up the front windscreen strut, along into the center of the windscreen top bar, between the two sunvisor's, the actual antenna is magnetic and if you find the right spot will attach easily. Then put the plastic covers back to hid the wires. You also get an extension microphone for the blue tooth, I stupidly fitted the stereo without thinking what if I wanted to fit that later so cannot get the the lead it plugs into without pulling the whole thing out, so just be aware of it. The microphone on the stereo works fine but what if you re driving with the roof down, although I did wonder where I would put it as the actual mic is self adhesive and those things never stay stuck when its hot.
The stereo does look beautiful in the car with the double din size touch screen oh and forgot to say its also a dvd player, no I don't need that but if you want a unit this size with a touchscreen it seems it has to be a dvd player.
Now the steering wheel controls, you have three wires, one black wire is ground, the other two are marked SWC1 and SWC2, the first one is the one you want, you connect this to the relevant wire which is on the black connector with a red front, it has 14 holes, you want the fourteenth which as you look at it is the bottom right. You can google all this.
The the programming which is wierd, follow the manual (its not good I warn you) then when in the correct menu "SWC1" you tap the relevant button on the touchscreen you want to program (say "mute") then press and hold the mute button on your steering wheel until the screen menu tells you it has completed it. You then do this with each of the steering wheel switches (not cruise just the right hand side stereo ones). Now I found the volume up and down (+ and - as they list it) only programmed when the ignition is off but in the on position.
I don't know if I covered everything, if not then please ask but it works brilliantly.
I have uploaded three photo's (I hope they come up for you) two of the stereo in place but with the lower dash area still not put back together, sorry and the the other is the wiring diagram for the stereo, its a sticker on the unit not in the manual....doh!
Phil
2020 Moderator Note- Here is a newer post with an Alpine System
Power Acoustik PDN-626B 6.2" Double-DIN In-Dash GPS Navigation LCD Touchscreen DVD Receiver with Bluetooth
Moderator Note Try this Pioneer if above is sold out- https://amzn.to/2D6rH4F
Phew that is a mouthful. I also bought the following parts needed to fit it into the dash and for the wiring.
Scosche LN1329B - 2000-06 Lincoln LS / 2002-06 Ford Thunderbird Double DIN Kit or
METRA 70-5519 AMPLIFIER INTERGRATION HARNESS FOR SELECT FORD 1998-08
The stereo cost approx $157 plus tax, free shipping though so thats good, the scosche dash kit was only $10 and the metra wiring adaptor $6, so in all not bad.
Now the reason I went for this stereo is it had blue tooth for the phones, an input for a back up camera which I have fitted as I don't want to hit any curbs or poles with my TBird. Also it came with navigation, a plus although I don't think it can be updated, it has inputs for micro sd card, usb and also mini headphone style socket to connect music from other devices including a phone. Radio which works really well and the kicker wires for your stereo steering wheel controls. It also has a large size touchscreen, plus it comes with a stylus (yeah will never use that so it will sit forever in the center console...just in case) and a remote (well its a plastic stick with rows of buttons, you'll never remember which is what anyway. So you can see it had lots of features but I really wanted the blue tooth, back up camera, steering wheel controls, navigation and micro sd card input.
The wiring is hard and you have to use connectors to connect the stereo wires to the standard loom in the dash, the double din scosche dash kist fits easily but when I had to pull it out to refit the stereo it caught the upper air vents and broke a plastic (of course it was plastic) clip on the vent, so beware of that. The stereo is a very tight fit with all the wires and stuff but it will go in after a fight. I should also add it has an antennae for the GPS part which screws onto the back of the unit and with plenty of cable to run quite a way, I actually ran it along and up the front windscreen strut, along into the center of the windscreen top bar, between the two sunvisor's, the actual antenna is magnetic and if you find the right spot will attach easily. Then put the plastic covers back to hid the wires. You also get an extension microphone for the blue tooth, I stupidly fitted the stereo without thinking what if I wanted to fit that later so cannot get the the lead it plugs into without pulling the whole thing out, so just be aware of it. The microphone on the stereo works fine but what if you re driving with the roof down, although I did wonder where I would put it as the actual mic is self adhesive and those things never stay stuck when its hot.
The stereo does look beautiful in the car with the double din size touch screen oh and forgot to say its also a dvd player, no I don't need that but if you want a unit this size with a touchscreen it seems it has to be a dvd player.
Now the steering wheel controls, you have three wires, one black wire is ground, the other two are marked SWC1 and SWC2, the first one is the one you want, you connect this to the relevant wire which is on the black connector with a red front, it has 14 holes, you want the fourteenth which as you look at it is the bottom right. You can google all this.
The the programming which is wierd, follow the manual (its not good I warn you) then when in the correct menu "SWC1" you tap the relevant button on the touchscreen you want to program (say "mute") then press and hold the mute button on your steering wheel until the screen menu tells you it has completed it. You then do this with each of the steering wheel switches (not cruise just the right hand side stereo ones). Now I found the volume up and down (+ and - as they list it) only programmed when the ignition is off but in the on position.
I don't know if I covered everything, if not then please ask but it works brilliantly.
I have uploaded three photo's (I hope they come up for you) two of the stereo in place but with the lower dash area still not put back together, sorry and the the other is the wiring diagram for the stereo, its a sticker on the unit not in the manual....doh!
Phil
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