Stereo help please

[mexicanjoe]

LuLuBelle, my '89 F-250 decided that the am/fm player in the dash would quit working. Can anyone tell me where I can find a Am/FM stereo , with maybe a blue tooth or CD player? What brand? Will I need an adaptor kit? How difficult is it? Will my son finally get a drivers license. Will my toenail transplant be successful?
I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS- can I get some help please?

 

[Jesus Freak]

Senor! I've mentioned before that I get good deals at the junkyard on tires and batteries.......but there's quality stereo equipment there too.

I'm of the "cut wires and make it work" camp, there are others that start twitching when you mention cutting stock wires and modifying the dash. I got a Kenwood with Bluetooth and 2-10s and a Memphis amp and some 6x9s, a couple of tweeters, 2 turn tables and a microphone....... you got this! As far as your son and his DL......alas, my children that are of that age got theirs......my most recent used a 96 areostar that we got for free on Craigslist and he got running.... the stock radio works in it!

 

[WrenchWhore]

I went to Clutchfield and searched my yeah/make/mode. It gave me options from mild to wild on which stereo I wanted. I wanted BT and CD. It needed an adapter, bezel and wiring adapter. It was very affordable and easy to install. Might have had to trim some plastic on the stereo hole. Not many people talk about it but if you want to improve the sound of your door speakers try using the Boom Mat speaker baffles with your speakers. Very cheap and REALLY helped focus the sound and not lose the bass in the door. Also, helps protect them from dirt, dust, and water. I added them when I put new Kicker speakers in my doors.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I went to Clutchfield

Crutchfield? Yes they're a good place. I've used them before.

I'm of the "cut wires and make it work" camp,

Same here. I usually run my own new wires because the factory wiring, at least in Bull Nose trucks, is confusing to me. Not to mention the center speaker mounted in the top of the dash. I've also found that a lot of the same brand radios use the same wiring plug on the back. That way, you can remove an older one and install a newer one just by plugging into the existing plug. No wiring involved.
From my experience, as long as you're ok with doing your own wiring, the adapter kits are a joke to make you spend more money. Maybe they're needed with newer vehicles, but I have no experience there.

 

[onetonjohn]

Just wired motorcycle stereo. Seems that the wire colors are standard, but connectors vary (at least on modern units). There are like 4 wires you need to splice into connector to the unit + speaker wires. Crutchfield is a great resource. If you go junkyard route, just pull the entire unit and be sure to get the connector. Just cut wires past the connector. If you get new unit you get instructions, new connector, and the thin shim tools to take it out easy. Either way, you got this.

 

[Greenie]

One thing that's gotten less expensive is a high quality car stereo. No more detachable face plates to prevent theft. Crutchfield is a very good source.