How to Connect a CD Player in a Pickup
Installing a CD player in your pickup truck can add functionality to your otherwise stock stereo and make the driving experience more positive. Thanks to advances in manufacturing, the aftermarket has lots of different stereo kits and harnesses available to make the installation process easier for the home installer to do. In this case, the project vehicle is a 2000 Ford Ranger, but the process is similar for other vehicles as well.
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Things You'll Need
- Ford radio removal keys
- Vehicle-specific wiring harness
- Vehicle-specific dash kit
- Wire cutters
- Wire crimpers
- Wire strippers
- Blue butt connectors
- Replacement stereo
- Flathead screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Sit in the driver's seat and locate the two holes on either side of the stock stereo that stack up vertically. Place one of the u-shaped keys into the holes on the left side of the stereo, then repeat the process on the other side.
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2
Grip the radio removal tools and pull them away from each other while simultaneously pulling them away from the dashboard. Pull out the stereo with one hand; unplug the stock wiring harness and antenna lead using your other hand.
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3
Place the cage included with the replacement CD player into the vehicle-specific dash kit and push down the tabs using the flathead screwdriver to lock it in place.
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4
Strip 1/4 inch of shielding off the end of each wire on the vehicle-specific wiring harness using the wire strippers. Then crimp a blue butt connector on the end of each wire using the wire crimpers. Strip 1/4 inch of shielding off the end of each wire on the CD player wiring harness using the wire strippers. Crimp each wire to the wires on the vehicle-specific wiring harness. Each wire on each harness is color coded with the same colors and labeled as well. Match up each color together, then secure them using the crimpers.
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5
Plug the wire harness from the CD player into the back of the CD player using your hands, then slide the CD player into the dash kit. Hold the stereo in one hand, then plug the wiring harness connected to the CD player to the wiring harness from the dashboard. Plug the antenna lead into the back of the stereo, then push the dash kit into the dashboard to lock it in place.
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