Kiwi Falcon

Wonder if any of you can help me out. I have searched the forums for some info but no luck.

I want to replace my 6CD stereo in my AUII XR6. Have had nothing but trouble and fed up with getting it fixed - besides the in-dash ones are not user friendly.

1/ If I put in a new unit with a new, separate 6 CD changer, will the steering wheel control buttons work ?

2/ I remember a thread last year about a certain stereo (can't remember, think it was Sony) which was compatible.

3/ Also any info on upgrading the speakers (again, I remember a thread last year but can't seem to find it)

4/ And last question (!), the AUIIXR8 has little speakers on the front pillars. What are they exactly and are we able to have them put on at a Ford dealer's parts dept. ?

Any help here would be most appreciated.

Cheers

greg6099

My experience when I asked similar questions at car stereo establishments. Keep in mind I only needed to improve the quality of the system on a minimum budget. The old story of you get what you pay for applies; if you have unlimited budget then anyhting is possible.

Steering wheel controls are not compatable with aftermarket units. One crowd said thay they could wire up a similar sort of control that involved re-alligning satellites, putting laser beams in and installing robotic creatures. I sort of lost track of what he was talking about after I asked for a ball-park cost. He mentioned a figure and I can distinctly remember seeing stars before my eyes, I had temporary loss of hearing from the rush of adrenalin and next thing everything went black for a minute or so.

Maybe there are compatable head units but no one ever mentioned it me - this is over the last 4 weeks or so by the way.

Speakers? Listen to them and buy what you like the sound of. If like the sound of a $50 set compared to a set for $400, buy the $50 set. You have to listen to them. My preference is for Pioneer and I found that the new 'polykevlar' (I think- distinctive yellow cone) 6 inch coaxials or Titanium splits suited me.

The 'little' speakers are the tweeter component of a 'splits' speaker setup. Keep away from you Ford dealer for stereo stuff. Expensive option for average quality stuff.

I installed the Pioneer Splits in the fron, left the rear parcel shelf 7x5's alone (may replace them with Boston 7x5's) and put a couple of 12inch subs in the back with a decent amplifier running the Pioneer and subs.. Standard head unit left in.

Not a competion winner but it sounds fine to me.

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AU1 XR6 VCT IRS

Never hold a Dustbuster and a cat at the same time.

Nevermind

Alpine I think are the ones with a steering wheel adaptor

kooky

Greg did the new splits fit in the factory positions? ie depth of the
speaker dosent foul the window etc.... I am looking at replacing the front speakers as i think i killed the front passenger side. If your running an amp i take it that the stock head unit has an rca plug and power switch? i was hoping to upgrade my single cd with the 6cd in dash stacker from the au2?.

BTW i read in a magazine that you can purchase a unit that wired in with your aftermarket head unit can utilise the volume controls on your steering wheel (some steering wheel controls are infra red, the unit converts the code to allow it to operate the new unit) it was only just recently will try to chase it up.

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FalKeen

10 points to nevermind - alpines ARE compatible with the steering wheel controls

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Nevermind

Woot Woot!! what do I win?

Ok, is it all Apline's, or only certain models? Do you need to buy anything extra, or does it just plug straight into the head unit (steering wheel control)? I'm pretty sure its another attacment you need to buy, so does anyone have a price (approx)?

FalKeen

nevermind - im sure both you and i am aware that the sheer feeling of being right is rewarding enough!

its an adapter thing that connects to all of the alpine head units that im aware of, the adapter is made by Stinger and is called a 'peswix'? which you can buy from an alpine car stereo dealer - not sure on price sorry.

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Kiwi Falcon

Thanks for your help guys. I will go into a dealer and have a chat with them armed with this info. I'm sure they have had Falcon upgrades before. The Ford factory stereos are a pretty crap system considering how much they are.

NZ XR8

Don't forget to let us know how you get on.

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BA XR8 Auto with Luxo Pack
Blueprint
LOVELY !!!!!!! ;-)

Kiwi Falcon

Will do.

I have a mate who is looking to do the same thing, but he has already bought a system without checking if it's compatible. I would have to get one that would work, as the wheel controls are excellent, not to mention a lot safer than fiddling around with the controls.