Anyone install the Z1 into an 06 Ford Explorer? if so how was the install? basically just want to know as far as wiring goes what needs to be done? i picked up the Ford wire harness from Crutchfield....

goto CircuitCity and pick up the "Metra" install kit

The only other thing you're gonna have to do is install a 4k7 or so resistor between the grey wires on the small connector (it will stop your amp from turning on hard) and popping the subs on powerup

Oh yeah, the other thing you're gonna need to get hold of is a 6mm .8 pitch bolt (cut the head off the bolt) and use the existing nipple from the back of your stereo to hang the rear of the Avic into the orifice of your car

Andy

Thanks for the reply Andy. I forgot to mention that my system does not include the factory amp or subwoofer. Even without these options do i still need to get the resistors?

Probably not..... BUT if you got the interface from Crutchfield, it should come with 2 separate connectors... the small one contains to 2 grey wires, if (wen you take your existing radio out) you have that connector pluged into the back of your existing radio, it may be pre-wired for the sub scenario even if speakers aren't currently installed.

awesome, thanks. Would you happen to know where my speed sensor wire is?

Not on an 06 Explorer (I would expect it to be similar to my Mustang BUT) you know what these manufacturers are like... everything is different between models... Mine is in the main ecu connector at the front of the engine (pain to run the cable) BUT I was lucky having already installed 06 Pony Upgrade fogs. I have a nice place to hide my pink wire in some conduit that I used to do that install.

jmoney715 said:

awesome, thanks. Would you happen to know where my speed sensor wire is?

If your factory stereo has speed sensitive volume, (it probably does...read your owner's manual) there will be a VSS wire right at the stereo itself. I believe it was a GY/BK wire on the Aviator. See if you can get someone with a wiring diagram manual to look at the connector view for your radio. It will show exactly what wire it is and what color along with the exact pin location.

Thankd 03, i actually read that somewhere on these forums, so thanks for clarifying it. ill update with pics on the install. Cant WAIT!!! 8)

need some help, so i took apart my dash and got to the wiring, but for the VSS wire i dont see a gry/blk wire anywhere... anyone care to help? thanks.

I don't have the 06 wiring diagrams available to me. You really need to get your hands on that. Go to the same radio diagram that you have in the car, look up the connector numbers on the diagrams, then go to the connectors views. It will tell you just what wire is to what circuit, what the pin number is, and the color code of the wire. Your 06 could very well have a different color code. But before you go that far, read your owner's manual and make sure the radio in your Explorer has speed sensitive volume. I'm betting it does... If so, the VSS wire is how they sense the need for volume change and the wire will be to the radio. Alternatively, your speedo will use the VSS wire too. You will find that feed in your instrument cluster connector. Again, a wiring diagram will be needed to ensure you get the proper wire.

ok, so... before i do anything, i actually do have a gray/blk wire. BUT... it isnt located in the stock wire harness for the radio. I have the a gray/blk wire for the "info" button that came with the vehicle.. the info button has a "gas economy" section where it tells you how much gas you are using, up means your getting more gas per gallon and down means your getting less gas per gallon.. im assuming that it uses your speed to sense this? what do you guys think?

For what its worth....I have a 04 F-150 and the wire is grey with a black stripe. Its in the trucks wiring harness. I just tapped directly into it with the pink wire. Its wasnt on the metra wiring harness but the truck harness that attached to my old HU.

Grey/Black must be common on all the newer Fords, thats the same as in my 03 Vic.

well guys, since i still cant find the VSS wire and i know for sure its there because i have the speed senstive option in my factory radio, should i just try and tap into every wire that isnt used and see what happens? or is that stupid?

jmoney715 said:

well guys, since i still cant find the VSS wire and i know for sure its there because i have the speed senstive option in my factory radio, should i just try and tap into every wire that isnt used and see what happens? or is that stupid?

Stupid? I wouldn't say stupid, but I don't think that would be my first choice. I would do some more research and see if I could find a wiring diagram before I resorted to something like that.

ducatiboy said:

jmoney715 said:

well guys, since i still cant find the VSS wire and i know for sure its there because i have the speed senstive option in my factory radio, should i just try and tap into every wire that isnt used and see what happens? or is that stupid?

Stupid? I wouldn't say stupid, but I don't think that would be my first choice. I would do some more research and see if I could find a wiring diagram before I resorted to something like that.

It could also be very, very expensive. Who knows what you could do to the Z1 or your car. If you bought the car locally, go ask the dealership if you can look at the 06 wiring manual for your car. I'm sure they would let you. Get some photo copies of the pages you're interested in. There is no guarantee that the wire color for your VSS is the same as another year's model.

well this is what i found, hope it helps people....

Speed Sense | purple/orange | PCM, 50 pin plug, pin 1

Notes: The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) is on the passenger side firewall.

Thee VSS wire is also found at the windshield wiper motor, pin 4.

I have a purple/ Orange wire in my stereo harness, you guys think it would be the same? just curious..

jmoney715 said:

well this is what i found, hope it helps people....

Speed Sense | purple/orange | PCM, 50 pin plug, pin 1

Notes: The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) is on the passenger side firewall.

Thee VSS wire is also found at the windshield wiper motor, pin 4.

I have a purple/ Orange wire in my stereo harness, you guys think it would be the same? just curious..

I'm going to bet that's it. But if you have a frequency meter, you would know for sure. The windshield wipers are also speed sensitive, so that makes sense that one would be there too. I will also bet that the VSS wire at the radio is in a plug that doesn't have many wires in it. Regardless, I would say you've found it.

Good to know they changed the color coding.