Changing out a Shaker 500 Head unit

[oldtexasdog]

I have been looking everywhere trying to get some current info on a good head unit currently made to replace my old one. I will be keeping the Shaker door subs and need hands free calling.
Thanks

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

Just so your aware, this thread doesn't belong in tech, but rather in the chit-chat sub-forums..

 

[BlackGT450]

I have been looking everywhere trying to get some current info on a good head unit currently made to replace my old one. I will be keeping the Shaker door subs and need hands free calling.
Thanks

I replaced mine with an Android head unit and love it. I bought the Atoto A6 on Amazon. With the harness and mounting kit everything was under $200. You need to make sure to hook the factory subs up correctly. This will require a 12v to 5v step down or the speakers will pop. It was a little more confusing to setup than the one I did in my F150. If you need help let me know. I have diagrams and part numbers.

 

[stkjock]

OP - plenty of threads in this sub-forum

Just so your aware, this thread doesn't belong in tech, but rather in the chit-chat sub-forums..

nope, Tunes, moved.

 

[06 T-RED S/C GT]

I've never visited the Tunes sub-forum nor the Pimpin' It! sub-forums. Therefore I stand corrected lol.

 

[Iceman62]

OP; Other than replacing HU & wanting hands-free....any other features, and budget?

 

[cavero]

What year is the car?

 

[oldtexasdog]

OP; Other than replacing HU & wanting hands-free....any other features, and budget?

Would like Siri voice control and I use a I phone.
SD slot
Good EQ for great sound
Easy controls.
Single or Double DIN

 

[oldtexasdog]

What year is the car?

2008 with a Shaker 500
Thanks all!

 

[Mitchr85]

I put in the Dynavin N7-MST2010 PRO in my 2014 GT. It works with the shaker systems and has Nav and Apple Car Play. It also has the Android integration. Fairly easy to install, it is the clone of the Navos that they sell on AM.

 

[cavero]

2008 with a Shaker 500
Thanks all!

Ok, cool. Now to narrow it down a bit -- What's your budget? Do you care about having a CD player? Or volume buttons or a volume knob? And, of course, have you looked at Crutchfield? Crutchfield has probably one of the best websites for audio gear out there. Between the interface, categories, and filters, you can pretty much narrow it down to exactly what you want.

I would look for something with 6 channels (2 front, 2 rear, 2 subs) to allow you to use the door subs without too much hassle. The stereo will have 6 female RCA plugs either on the back or as part of a dongle that plugs into the back of the unit.

You'll also want a 5V regulator (or 12V to 5V converter), like this one:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_120AFDI5V/Axxess-AFDI-5V.html
Aftermarket stereos use a 12V signal to turn on remote accessories, like external ampliriers, but the factory amplifiers for the door subs (in the driver's side footwell) are designed for a 5V signal from the Shaker head unit. Don't know if it damages anything, but if you give them 12V, you'll get a loud 'POP' when you turn on the radio. Get the converter, and it'll step down the voltage from the aftermarket stereo to 5V.

Crutchfield will automatically pick the installation gear you need and for the '08 w/ the Shaker you have two options, the PAC C2R FRD1 interface, or the iDatalink Maestro RR. PAC is the cheaper of the two, but doesn't have as many features listed.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_127C2RFRD1/PAC-C2R-FRD1-Wiring-Interface.html

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_794ADSMRR/iDatalink-Maestro-RR-Interface-Module.html

Crutchfield says Bluetooth isn't supported by the PAC audio interface, but I think they just mean if you had a factory bluetooth module (which the Shaker 500 didn't have in '08 anyway). But the aftermarket radio will have its own bluetooth and microphone so I wouldn't worry about that.
One thing the iDatalink is supposed to give you is access to vehicle data (performance gauges, tire pressures) on your head unit (if the HU has an iDatalink serial port), but I've read that it's pretty spotty on the '07-09 cars (05-06 aren't supported at all), so IMHO you're better off saving your money and go for the PAC interface.

 

[oldtexasdog]

OK with the help from you folks and Crutchfield I got a Kenwood DMX 7706S. Got the voltage regulator for 5V also.
Thanks

 

[Iceman62]

Sweet...show off your new audio, when installed.

 

[cavero]

Awesome, you're going to notice a HUGE difference in sound quality afterwards. If you're still using the factory speakers, I'd be careful w/ how much you crank the volume, and I'd definitely turn on the high pass filter in the audio settings to protect them (it'll cut the bass from the door and rear shelf speakers, leaving it to the door subs to provide the low frequencies)

 

[oldtexasdog]

Well I went with a Kenwood DMX 7706S it looks like it has all the options I wanted and was in budget. Install went easy and it sounds great looks great to along with backup camera. Integrated with my I-Phone like it was made by Apple and having access to SIRI while driving is great!!

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!! I appreciate.
OTD

 

[Old Bill]

Stereo replacements supply the mono signal to the sub-woofers using a phono plugwith a single ended signal Ford Shakers use a twisted pair with a balanced signal + and - at C290B. The loom that I bought has two phono sockets on pins 1-2 and 5-6. I manufactured a pin extraction tool and refitted them form 1-3 and 2-7 (3 and 7 are screens) to obtain two balanced inputs to the Sub-woofer amp. I had to make up a simple buffer and inverter op-amp circuit to convert the single ended signal into a ballanced line input. The same PCB has 470 Ohm resister and a 5.1 volt Zenner to eliminate the Plop at switch on when the signal is 12 volt and not the 5 volts the sub-woofer amp needs.
I live here in the UK and bought my 2008 V6 4.0 convertible in Texas and shipped it to the UK and the first thing was to convert the US flashing indicators to EU standard using solid state relays and a bit of logic as well as converting the inner side lights to High intensity Fog lights. I am 84 years old and still going strong.