'97 Eddie Bauer w/ Mach - no radio & wires cut

[Luvindaexpy]

Hey all. I just posted in the wanted section but i should've dropped in here first. I bought a 97 EB with no radio and the wires/harness cut. The connectors were cut out and wires just have the leads exposed. I want to drop in a simple cd/ipod pioneer radio and i am having a hard time finding a reverse harness/connector that will work with the Mach system. I tried the local salvage yard but they don't have any. I looked on Ebay and the seller told me the one listed wouldn't work. Does anyone know of an online seller that carries what i need? and possibly a link of what i should buy?

I've been working on this truck since i got it and while mechanically i've been able to help it through the rough i could use some help on this issue. I would like to attempt this on my own before shelling out to an audio place (as i've been spending good money on parts lately). Any help i would appreciate.

 

[jacks3am]

just start from scratch, get your new radio and wire it in by connecting each wire 1 by 1, and use the new stereo's sub outputs to wire in a better sub and a better amp. idk just ideas

 

[Luvindaexpy]

Yeah i may have to end up doing that. Would've been nice to locate a harness though. I need some tunes soon cause there's only so much engine noise i can take. I'm starting to concentrate on unusual sounds to trouble$hoot. lol. Not good.

Does anyone know if the Mach system was standard on the 97-99 EB's? I located a junk yard 2 states away with a 97 eb but he can't tell since the parts were probably removed already.

 

[tonydiv]

It was an option.

There were a lot of dealers who decided that they were't going to order any Expeditions with high priced options (ie Mach audio) that first year or two. They were worried about sticker shock, since the Expedition was priced higher than the old Bronco was.

I agree with the comments above. Since the system is so gutted, it's way better to start from scratch. You could probably sell the remains of the system (stock amp and sub) to offset your costs.


I just put a nice Clarion (609, I think) in my brother's Sport-Trac this past weekend. For $189 it was a great upgrade, and now he can easily pop in a small powered sub for some extra kick.

 

[Racenut]

I was able to get the Mach harness at Bestbuy and they had it in stock. But after hooking up the factory amp found that it sounded like A** so I used an old small 2ch amp that I had and ran it to the factory sub. You would not belive that it is only an 8" and the factory enlosure actually sounds really nice.

 

[Luvindaexpy]

Done

Well i just went ahead and hard wired my aftermarket radio and so far all is good. I had to jump in on the mustang forums to get the Mach wiring and glad i did cause the wiring was a mess not to mention they were not an exact match to the wiring schematic for my year but a hybrid of the 3 schematics i downloaded (wire colors listed). I can listen to my ipod and not the engine so all is good. I'll probably do as recommended and get another amp and run it new since i lost the premium features but i aint complaining right now. Thanks for the input fellas.