First off yes im new here, but i wanted to put up a thread with your guys help about actually in detail completing the install of a double din in a 2004ish f250/f350. When i bought my truck i wanted to put one of these good lookin beasts in my truck. After searching the web i found alot of posts about it but not too many with any details other than " yea guy trim dash and get a kit". I also want to say this was my first stereo install so i had no idea what i was doin.
I went online and purchased a pioneer touchscreen, went to the local audio store bought wiring harness and a double din trim kit. This is where it got difficult for me. I had to find a kit that has the clearance for my radio and mounts my radio and locks it in the dash. Well after three stores bam an indash mounting kit and trim ring approx $21. The bag said the trim mount and ring was for Ford Explorer.
Again this is my first install, so take your harness you bought and the one from the stereo this was the simplest part. Buttsplice all wires together jus color match them.
Next was the dreaded DASH TRIMMING AHH. I dont know about many people here but any sort of cutting in my baby is just heart wrenching. So what i did was one of the measure 15 times cut as needed. first i held the trim ring up and "sharpied" the outline of what needed to go. Then tested cut and tested again. After about 45minutes of dreaded cuttin bam it is clearing. I also had to grind down 3 plastic tabs that protruded down, and remove the two 7mm bolts to clear. Bascially i removed most of the upper lip and entire bottom lip as for the side lips i will get to that in a minute.
Next i screwed the two plastic plates to the stereo (with what are the mouting and locking plates). They were defined by left and right simple enough.
Ok next i tried to install the stereo, nope it wouldnt fit. Now those plastic side plates made it too wide :doh: . I couldnt cut those side tabs out because they lock the stereo in with those plastic plates (preventing it from flyin out). The next plan of attack was remove the dash "that is the radio part" (simple just clicks on/pops off). I had to install the stereo from the rear of the dash. I just slid it in the "well" and the had the enjoyment of tryin to get the plates on the stereo to lock on the front dash part which is removed. So basically i have the front of the dash in my lap with the stereo slid in main dash and tryin to "click" the stereo to the front dash with it off while in the main dash part. if any of this makes sense? . Still not fittin those side plates on stereo bow at the front to lock on the outter dash trim lips, but they were jus a lil too wide soo i gently and barely ground down the outter dash lips jus a sliver and bam stereo clicked in and locked
Next plug your wiring harness together with stereo and factory plug. Put the front dash back on with stereo. Popped dash on while aligning back dash and front with stereo.
Next click trim ring on and DONE!!!
My indash also plays DVD's so i had a long green wire which was the E-brake switch so dvd would play i ran that under the dash and you can do as you please with yours. I did mine my own way lol.
I went online and purchased a pioneer touchscreen, went to the local audio store bought wiring harness and a double din trim kit. This is where it got difficult for me. I had to find a kit that has the clearance for my radio and mounts my radio and locks it in the dash. Well after three stores bam an indash mounting kit and trim ring approx $21. The bag said the trim mount and ring was for Ford Explorer.
Again this is my first install, so take your harness you bought and the one from the stereo this was the simplest part. Buttsplice all wires together jus color match them.
Next was the dreaded DASH TRIMMING AHH. I dont know about many people here but any sort of cutting in my baby is just heart wrenching. So what i did was one of the measure 15 times cut as needed. first i held the trim ring up and "sharpied" the outline of what needed to go. Then tested cut and tested again. After about 45minutes of dreaded cuttin bam it is clearing. I also had to grind down 3 plastic tabs that protruded down, and remove the two 7mm bolts to clear. Bascially i removed most of the upper lip and entire bottom lip as for the side lips i will get to that in a minute.
Next i screwed the two plastic plates to the stereo (with what are the mouting and locking plates). They were defined by left and right simple enough.
Ok next i tried to install the stereo, nope it wouldnt fit. Now those plastic side plates made it too wide :doh: . I couldnt cut those side tabs out because they lock the stereo in with those plastic plates (preventing it from flyin out). The next plan of attack was remove the dash "that is the radio part" (simple just clicks on/pops off). I had to install the stereo from the rear of the dash. I just slid it in the "well" and the had the enjoyment of tryin to get the plates on the stereo to lock on the front dash part which is removed. So basically i have the front of the dash in my lap with the stereo slid in main dash and tryin to "click" the stereo to the front dash with it off while in the main dash part. if any of this makes sense? . Still not fittin those side plates on stereo bow at the front to lock on the outter dash trim lips, but they were jus a lil too wide soo i gently and barely ground down the outter dash lips jus a sliver and bam stereo clicked in and locked
Next plug your wiring harness together with stereo and factory plug. Put the front dash back on with stereo. Popped dash on while aligning back dash and front with stereo.
Next click trim ring on and DONE!!!
My indash also plays DVD's so i had a long green wire which was the E-brake switch so dvd would play i ran that under the dash and you can do as you please with yours. I did mine my own way lol.