Advice from car stereo installation experts

[MG1968]

I want to replace the factory stereo in my 2011 Fusion. Currently, I have the most basic offerings from Ford, 4 speakers, no steering wheel controls, no amplifier, just an auxiliary input in a really dumb location.

Crutchfield tells me that I need this: PAC C2R-FRD1. Because of the factory audio's integration into the car's computer. Even if I don't have or need any of the other functions, I have to have this adapter and, of course, it isn't cheap (although it can be had for $50 if I order a complete system through Crutchfield).

VolAudio, an Oliver Springs business and ebay seller, would seem to disagree. They offer complete kits like this that come with a very basic wiring harness adapter. The problem here is that I can't 100% confirm that the scosche adapter included is compatible with a 2011 Fusion.

Thoughts?

 

[govols/cc]

I want to replace the factory stereo in my 2011 Fusion. Currently, I have the most basic offerings from Ford, 4 speakers, no steering wheel controls, no amplifier, just an auxiliary input in a really dumb location.

Crutchfield tells me that I need this: PAC C2R-FRD1. Because of the factory audio's integration into the car's computer. Even if I don't have or need any of the other functions, I have to have this adapter and, of course, it isn't cheap (although it can be had for $50 if I order a complete system through Crutchfield).

VolAudio, an Oliver Springs business and ebay seller, would seem to disagree. They offer complete kits like this that come with a very basic wiring harness adapter. The problem here is that I can't 100% confirm that the scosche adapter included is compatible with a 2011 Fusion.

Thoughts?

Take it out & look. When I swapped mine out I just went to best buy & got the adapter. $50 seems a little high. Maybe half that.

 

[MG1968]

Considering what's involved in "taking it out and looking", I'm not sure that's a valid option. I know what my car has, that isn't the issue. The issue is whether or not I need an harness that is obvious overkill or one that simply does what I need it to do, which is provide power and speaker output.

 

[govols/cc]

Considering what's involved in "taking it out and looking", I'm not sure that's a valid option. I know what my car has, that isn't the issue. The issue is whether or not I need an harness that is obvious overkill or one that simply does what I need it to do, which is provide power and speaker output.

Are you wanting to cut & splice wires? Your vehicle is installed with a harness that simply plugs into the stereo. If your new stereo matches you would simply plug it in. If not you have 2 options. The jack leg option is cut the installed harness & wire it to the new stereo. Or buy the adapter, wire it to stereo & plug it into the factory harness without cutting it. If you trade in or sell vehicle later but want to put the factory stereo back in this is far easier.

 

[MG1968]

Are you wanting to cut & splice wires? Your vehicle is installed with a harness that simply plugs into the stereo. If your new stereo matches you would simply plug it in. If not you have 2 options. The jack leg option is cut the installed harness & wire it to the new stereo. Or buy the adapter, wire it to stereo & plug it into the factory harness without cutting it. If you trade in or sell vehicle later but want to put the factory stereo back in this is far easier.

Did you even bother to look at the differences in the two aftermarket wiring harnesses?

My question isn't "How" to do it.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Are you buying the Sony that's part of the deal on the ebay one you listed, or are you getting something different? Looks like that's the issue/decision to make.

 

[MG1968]

Are you buying the Sony that's part of the deal on the ebay one you listed, or are you getting something different? Looks like that's the issue/decision to make.

Like I said, I'm inclined to believe Volunteer Audio when they tell me that the basic harness that's included with that system will work with my car. The aftermarket radio itself doesn't matter.

 

[IBlvNTmWrk]

Based on what you've stated above, it would be helpful to get a little more information in terms of what you want out of your car's audio. Are you also wanting to upgrade the speakers? Are you going to be installing an amp? Do you want to be able to connect an external device via bluetooth or USB? etc... etc...

If you're planning to upgrade the speakers, I would always recommend installing an amplifier. Most head units will not supply enough amperage to produce clear sound output with aftermarket speakers.

If you're planning to install an amplifier, then you will need pre-outs on your head unit. The number of pre-outs you will need is determined by how many amps and channels you will want to have. I.E: If you want a front channel, rear channel, and a sub, you will want 3 per-outs. If you don't care about separating the channels in order to keep the head unit's ability to fade audio from front-back, and left-right, then you can only run one set of pre-outs. If the head unit you get has pre-outs, then you don't need the PAC C2R-FRD1 Wiring Interface. The PAC is for people that want to keep their factory head unit and add an amplifier and new speakers. If you get a head unit with pre-outs (which most have) you can use a simpler solution that just provides a harness to connect the factory wiring to your head unit.

One last consideration, regardless of what and/or who you go with, would be cabling and harnesses. Make sure the cabling is ran correctly (power cables on the opposing side of the car as the speaker cables and RCAs). Also make sure the grounds are good, and have a solid connection. The LAST thing you want is to finish and have alternator noise, or other interference because something was done incorrectly, or the wires are unshielded and susceptible to interference.

edit: I have a 2014 Fusion Hybrid and just added speakers, sub, and an amp to my car a couple of months ago.

 

[govols/cc]

Like I said, I'm inclined to believe Volunteer Audio when they tell me that the basic harness that's included with that system will work with my car. The aftermarket radio itself doesn't matter.

It would be easier to give an opinion if we could see the back of your current & new stereo. I understand that's not an easy task.

 

[MG1968]

It would be easier to give an opinion if we could see the back of your current & new stereo. I understand that's not an easy task.

That isn't important. As I have already stated, I have the base, non-amplified, 4-speaker factory radio in a 2011 Fusion. I already know how to properly splice the wiring adapter that an aftermarket HU will use to integrate with the existing factory harness.

My question is which aftermarket harness do I need? Crutchfield tells me that I need one that provides functions that my car doesn't have (steering wheel controls, rear seat controls, amplifier), Volunteer Audio says that a basic harness is all that is necessary.

As far as what my intention is, it's simple, I want to upgrade the factory radio. Preferably to an HD receiver with media input (USB, aux, SD card) and Bluetooth. I am happy with the stock 4 speakers.

 

[Coug]

That isn't important. As I have already stated, I have the base, non-amplified, 4-speaker factory radio in a 2011 Fusion. I already know how to properly splice the wiring adapter that an aftermarket HU will use to integrate with the existing factory harness.

My question is which aftermarket harness do I need? Crutchfield tells me that I need one that provides functions that my car doesn't have (steering wheel controls, rear seat controls, amplifier), Volunteer Audio says that a basic harness is all that is necessary.

As far as what my intention is, it's simple, I want to upgrade the factory radio. Preferably to an HD receiver with media input (USB, aux, SD card) and Bluetooth. I am happy with the stock 4 speakers.

Basic harness. Do extensive research on the head unit you want to buy. A lot of these head units come with their own steering wheel remotes. You might not think so but yes you really do want to replace factory speakers, it'll sound so much better. Any audiophile would ask you why on earth you're upgrading the head unit and not upgrading to aftermarket speakers.

 

[govols/cc]

That isn't important. As I have already stated, I have the base, non-amplified, 4-speaker factory radio in a 2011 Fusion. I already know how to properly splice the wiring adapter that an aftermarket HU will use to integrate with the existing factory harness.

My question is which aftermarket harness do I need? Crutchfield tells me that I need one that provides functions that my car doesn't have (steering wheel controls, rear seat controls, amplifier), Volunteer Audio says that a basic harness is all that is necessary.

As far as what my intention is, it's simple, I want to upgrade the factory radio. Preferably to an HD receiver with media input (USB, aux, SD card) and Bluetooth. I am happy with the stock 4 speakers.

Ok. I think you will be fine with the basic harness. I have a ford & took out the factory head unit that 6 disc changer built in. I replaced with an HD receiver that has Bluetooth, CD player, usb, & auxiliary built in. Came with a cable that has 2 connectors on one end that go into usb & auxiliary & other end plugs into iPod or iPhone.

 

[govols/cc]

Basic harness. Do extensive research on the head unit you want to buy. A lot of these head units come with their own steering wheel remotes. You might not think so but yes you really do want to replace factory speakers, it'll sound so much better. Any audiophile would ask you why on earth you're upgrading the head unit and not upgrading to aftermarket speakers.

I did speakers too with no amp. Better aftermarket speakers the same size just better quality & 3 way instead of 2 way. Sounds better even without a little amp. That was 4 adapters I had to get although the speaker adapters were considerably cheaper.

 

[Coug]

I did speakers too with no amp. Better aftermarket speakers the same size just better quality & 3 way instead of 2 way. Sounds better even without a little amp. That was 4 adapters I had to get although the speaker adapters were considerably cheaper.

Yeah, decent head units produce enough watts to sufficiently power aftermarket speakers. Introducing an amp to further power your mains can increase quality by a little bit but mostly increases volume. Typically you don't need to use an external amp until you're looking at subwoofers.