I have become disappointed, for among other reasons, by the lack of options Ford has offered with the Shaker 500 system in my 06 stang. I want to add my XM/ipod – and not through a FM crapulator – however there seems to be no ‘real’ option do this except through the AUX port, but… The AUX issue seems to be a black hole, with information from Ford, after market people (like PIE), and then just cool people on these forums, all conflicting, not to mention the simple fact that not much can be hooked up to it - and even if you can hook it up you can't use the stock head unit to view or control the device, SO I AM REPLACING IT!
Any help, suggestions, pointers, or other enlightening information anyone can provide is VERY VERY much appreciated!
The plan is to install:
Panasonic AVIC-N2 Nav System
1 Kicker SX900.2 Amplifer
1 12' Kicker Solobaric S12L72 in ported Kicker Box
But the problem... as it seems some have faced... is the stock audio system that accompanies the Shaker 500.
Has anyone pulled this out and replaced it with aftermarket gear, with what and what were the results?
Does each speaker have its own amp? Or is the head unit the amp for each speaker?
-If the head unit is the amp for all the speakers - what is the best option, to 'see' how good/bad it sounds with the aftermarket unit powering them - or just to outright replace all the factory speakers and install a separate amp?
-If each speaker has its own amp attached to it, can it be utilized with aftermarket gear? If not can it be bypassed?
If the stock head unit is taken out does any other part of the system have to be modified in order for after market head unit to work (other than wiring harnesses to interface with aftermarket head unit)?
other than that, i haven't had the time to investigate any upgrades yet..
i know what stuff i want but we're doing up the wife's civic atm with full custom install so it's taking preference ( )
subscribing to this thread tho, you asked good questions
The head unit is the "power" for the deck and door speakers. As for the 8" subs in the doors, they are powered by four amps located on the drivers side under the dash.
I have completely replaced my skipper1000 system. I highly recommend it
One suggestion is possibly consider a Scosche enclosure. They have a box for a single 12" that mounts where the 1000's sub box goes. And it fits like a glove.
If you remove the stock head unit, all you need to slap something else in there is the mounting kit for the console, and the wiring harness adaptor.
Metra 70-5521 is the brand and model number harness you will need if you intend on utilizing the factory wiring. The mounting kit is Metra 99-5807.
If you intend on using the factory sub woofer amps you will need a voltage regulator on your amp on signal wire coming from the head unit. You can get a LM7805 off the shelf at Radio Shack and it will work fine. The Ford amps expect a < +8V signal. Your aftermarket head unit is going to put out +12V. The end result is going to be a NASTY pop when the subs power up. The voltage regulator will prevent that.
As for how the speakers are going to sound with the aftermarket head unit. Only you can be the judge of that. Each person has a different ear.
Personally, I think all installing my aftermarket setup did was exploit the flaws in the factory speakers. So I replaced them also ( which I intended on doing anyway ).
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2005 GT Premium,torch red, all available factory options.
Performance mods: Lets just say it's not stock.
Some people are like Slinkies. They're really good for nothing. But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
hawg, youre dead on with that "pop" with the subs. Best Buy installed my speakers last week and said they were messing around with the door subs. After I left and started the car later that night, an earsplitting two pops about 15 seconds apart greeted me. I went right back to the store first thing next morning to straighten it out
I've been very unhappy with my Shaker 500 also. I was underwhelmed when I first heard it.
Are the Shaker 500 speakers that bad? Has anyone just replaced the head unit or just replaced the speakers? I was wondering what the weak link is, if it is the head unit or the speakers or just a combination of both.
I would like to hook an iPod into my system because I've been unhappy with the iPod FM transmitters. I was thinking about the PIE adapter but now I'm thinking about just replacing the head unit with a JVC unit that has HD radio and iPod interface.
The head unit is the "power" for the deck and door speakers. As for the 8" subs in the doors, they are powered by four amps located on the drivers side under the dash.
I have completely replaced my skipper1000 system. I highly recommend it
One suggestion is possibly consider a Scosche enclosure. They have a box for a single 12" that mounts where the 1000's sub box goes. And it fits like a glove.
If you remove the stock head unit, all you need to slap something else in there is the mounting kit for the console, and the wiring harness adaptor.
Metra 70-5521 is the brand and model number harness you will need if you intend on utilizing the factory wiring. The mounting kit is Metra 99-5807.
If you intend on using the factory sub woofer amps you will need a voltage regulator on your amp on signal wire coming from the head unit. You can get a LM7805 off the shelf at Radio Shack and it will work fine. The Ford amps expect a < +8V signal. Your aftermarket head unit is going to put out +12V. The end result is going to be a NASTY pop when the subs power up. The voltage regulator will prevent that.
As for how the speakers are going to sound with the aftermarket head unit. Only you can be the judge of that. Each person has a different ear.
Personally, I think all installing my aftermarket setup did was exploit the flaws in the factory speakers. So I replaced them also ( which I intended on doing anyway ).
How did you mount your voltage regulator to the signal wire. What kind of connection would be used? Just have the set up and need to know the best way to wire it in. Thanks.
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2005 Redfire GT Convertible, Parchment Top, Shaker 500, Active Anti-Theft
I don't know why everyone is so down on the Shaker system, I mean other than those that skip do you think the sound quality is poor? I have the 500 and mine has been working flawlessly and I am very impressed with the sound quality and power of it, were they improved for 2006?
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2006 GT Coupe, black w/ red leather, IUP, 5spd manual, 18" Bullitts, Stage 3 Motorsports louvers, Custom 12" shorty antenna
The shaker 500 head unit aactually puts out good sound, especially using the CD. It is
the speakers that suck - changing the head unit won't help that. Not sure what you want,
but upgrading just the 6x8's in the doors and rear deck help alot (>$300). If you need
killer bass, a 12" sub in a Scosche box with 250w+ amp in the trunk will easily
accomplish that ($550-700); or you could replace the head unit, all the door speakers
(8" subs and 6x8's), rear deck speakers, a 12" sub and add the 3 or 4 amps in the trunk
to power it all for about $2,500 or so. Those prices are just for the parts. The door and
deck 6x8's are an easy diy if you buy the Metra wiring adapter (free at Crutcfield) -
about 2 hours total. A full 3 amp (1-2ch (door subs), 1-1ch (12" sub) and 1-4ch (6x8's)
replacement system, if you know what you are doing and are going to do it right (power strips,
separating the wiring, all new speaker leads, mounting the amps neatly under the package shelf,
using the factory 8" grills, Dynamating trunk and doors, etc) will take 20-25 hours, minimum -
If I were still doing installs professionally, that would be a $2,500+ install; and no the hacks at
Circuit City, Best Buy, etc could never do it right.
The head unit is the "power" for the deck and door speakers. As for the 8" subs in the doors, they are powered by four amps located on the drivers side under the dash.
I have completely replaced my skipper1000 system. I highly recommend it
One suggestion is possibly consider a Scosche enclosure. They have a box for a single 12" that mounts where the 1000's sub box goes. And it fits like a glove.
If you remove the stock head unit, all you need to slap something else in there is the mounting kit for the console, and the wiring harness adaptor.
Metra 70-5521 is the brand and model number harness you will need if you intend on utilizing the factory wiring. The mounting kit is Metra 99-5807.
If you intend on using the factory sub woofer amps you will need a voltage regulator on your amp on signal wire coming from the head unit. You can get a LM7805 off the shelf at Radio Shack and it will work fine. The Ford amps expect a < +8V signal. Your aftermarket head unit is going to put out +12V. The end result is going to be a NASTY pop when the subs power up. The voltage regulator will prevent that.
As for how the speakers are going to sound with the aftermarket head unit. Only you can be the judge of that. Each person has a different ear.
Personally, I think all installing my aftermarket setup did was exploit the flaws in the factory speakers. So I replaced them also ( which I intended on doing anyway ).
how do you conect that regulator and where is there a separete plug for it?and where did you pluged it?
Good choice to replace the Shaker and not use one of those PIE hard wire adaptors. They will give you nothing but problems with error msgs. A good head unit W/Nav is the Eclipse AVN 5500 or 6600.
I've been very unhappy with my Shaker 500 also. I was underwhelmed when I first heard it.
Are the Shaker 500 speakers that bad? Has anyone just replaced the head unit or just replaced the speakers? I was wondering what the weak link is, if it is the head unit or the speakers or just a combination of both.
I would like to hook an iPod into my system because I've been unhappy with the iPod FM transmitters. I was thinking about the PIE adapter but now I'm thinking about just replacing the head unit with a JVC unit that has HD radio and iPod interface.
Has anyone just replaced the Shaker head unit for an aftermarket, but kept the stock speakers? I have a Premier head unit sitting in my house and was thinking of installing it so can use the AUX for an mp3 player.
Ok, so I might be a total nub when it comes to mustangs, sense the 05 i just got is my very 1st one.. but how do i open the dash up a bit to take the shaker 500 i have out?
I want to put in a Pioneer Avic f700bt but I dont want to pay best buy an extra $200 in parts and labor when i can get the parts cheap off ebay and do it myself.. I bought a few of those manual for car repair but there isnt much detail in the shaker removal area.. if someone could tell me wt to look for I would reallllllllly appreciate it.. hell if you in the Ann Arbor Michigan area I'll buy you a beer
)
