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2004 GM LS Stereo Replacement

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    #1

    2004 GM LS Stereo Replacement

    I've got a 2004 Grand Marquis LS as my daily driver, bone stock, runs smooth.

    However there's a little problem. A month or so back the CD "eject" mechanism conked out, trapping an Addison Groove disc inside. My music options now consist of that album + the radio.

    I'd like to replace the head unit with something newer with an aux in and maybe USB read capability. I'm generally satisfied with the stock amp/speakers although I'd like to add a set of 10s or 12s in the trunk for maximum obnoxiousness. My question is thus twofold:

    ---Where do I start? I got the radio removal clips but I have no idea what wires mean what as the whole thing terminates in a METRA connector.

    ---Is it easy to use the existing amp for the cabin speakers but bypass the bass at line-level to a separate amp to power the trunk subs? For now I'm just looking to have some musical variety again.
    '04 LS Premium
    Tags: None
    #2
    www.Crutchfield.com is where I would start. It gives a very good idea of options available for your car and trim level. You should be able to fit any double din unit in yours. The wiring to connect to the factory connectors is available (and all the aftermarket seem to have settled on a standard color code, so you just have to match up colors... though double check the connection sheets to make sure before soldering). Almost ALL if not all aftermarket stereos have pre-amp out for subs if not front and rear as well.

    Once you find something you like, you can compare prices and see if CrutchField is better because it includes all the wiring harnesses you need or if someone else has a better price and get the harness elsewhere.

    Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein
    rides: 93 Crown Vic LX (The Red Velvet Cake), 2000 Crown Vic base model (Sandy), 2003 Expedition (the vacation beast)

    Originally posted by gadget73
    ... and it should all work like magic and unicorns and stuff.

    Originally posted by dmccaig
    Overhead, some poor bastards are flying in airplanes.

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      #3
      http://www.amazon.ca/Metra-70-5521-R.../dp/B000K50GTA

      That is the most important, that metra harness. Real easy to mate to the new head units harness. It also allows you to retain the factory amp. With AUX subs, you will have a very nice system without hacking the vehicle.

      And like sly said, go to crutchfield ad order a mount kit and purchase a head unit you like.

      1981 Mercury Marquis Brougham 2-Door 302/ 5-speed -special blend (GMGT)
      1987 Lincoln Mark VII 5-speed (Errand runner)
      1989 Mercury Grand Marquis (Base Runner)
      2007 Lincoln Town Car Signature Limited (Hustlyn)
      2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (Down with O.P.P)

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        #4
        Great advice from above, but I doubt you have a factory amp. In 04 IIRC only the Marauder (or a Townie) got an amp and it was only on the rear mounted subwoofer. I'd Just get a Metra adapter (http://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-5520-...+03+up+harness) and wire it up to the head unit of your choice. Should be very easy, the wires on the harness usually match the aftermarket radio.
        2020 Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum (Ice White / Blonde)
        2022 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7 Etorque, Built to Serve Edition, (Granite Crystal / Black)
        Past Panthers
        1989 Grand Marquis LS (Cabernet/Grey), 1989 Lincoln Town Car SS (White/Blue), 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis Ultimate (White/Black)

        Originally posted by Lincolnmania
        if its got tits or tires it's bound to give you trouble

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          #5
          So, update on this project:

          Radio is installed. I went with Crutchfield to get plug/mount kit. BUT... it turns out that my '04 had the old "world" plug (Metra 70-1771) instead of the "phase II" plug that all '04s are supposed to have. I suppose on the day my car was assembled, Saint Thomas ran out of phase II plugs and reached for the stuff they had left over. After all the factory head unit accepts both.

          So I ended up swinging down to Best Buy and paying 20 bucks for a plug because I didn't want to wait a week to ship it from Amazon. Whatevs, now I have good sound again and I can add subs once I get some other projects done.

          My one mistake on this was to not check and see that the receiver had a clock built in (it doesn't). I'm quite used to having a clock on the dash... so I suppose I'll have to find some small battery-operated thing and tack it on there, perhaps I can get something that'll fit in the slot above the receiver.
          '04 LS Premium

          Comment

            #6
            It's very easy to intall a factory clock in the factory position like you'll see in every whale 98-early 03.
            And thats a lot nicer than "some small battery operated thing"

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