Remove factory stereo and install clarion cx501 stereo

Www.modifiedlife.com has a resource page with factory wiring color codes

you will need to get a ford stereo removal kit from your local parts store. it will show you where to insert them to be able to pull the stereo out

either your connectors need cleaning or maybe a break in the wiring. Is there on spot where both wires come together if so check there.If there is any plugs, pull them apart and clean them with contact cleaner

Glad I didn't read this page before I replaced my stereo.

Remove stereo fascia with three screws - 1 at the top, two on each side of ash tray. Remove 4 screws holding in stereo. Done - takes about 3 minutes.

There were probably different stereo unit options available but the particular stock stereo in my 2002 Rodeo was a "Clarion" Model No. P1-9993M (cassette player). I've since upgraded to a better aftermarket head unit so you are welcome to my old one if willing to pay shipping (ha,ha).

You best bet, because of a warranty, is to have a professional shop install your stereo. But if you are like all of us guru's here, you like to get your hands dirty.

First you need to remove the dash around your factory stereo. Be patient here and try not to break any of the dash. You may need to remove screws and pop loose plastic retainers located on the backside of the dash.

Wire the after market stereo to the harness located below by maching the colors provided. Thank the stereo companies for making this simple. Use crimp connectors or solder your connections, which ever best suits you. Tape up any remaining wires with eectrical to minimize the chance of a short.

Take the metal sleeve provided by the sereo you choose and install it into the install kit located below. Once you have removed the factory stereo, test fit the install kit and attach any tabs neccessary provided by the kit.

Now take the aftermarket stereo and place into the sleeve you installe din the install kit until it clicks into its locks. Now, the harness you wired up earlier, plug it into the factory harness and then into you stereo. Hook up the antenna, you may need to purchase a antenna adapter. Now before you install the stereo, do a test run to make sure everything is working. Once you are content that it is all working, install the new stereo and then reverse the steps in removing the dash panel and stereo.
Below are pictures of the needed hardware:

There are 3 things you need to purchase for this install. 1) The factory spec install kit. 2) The factory spec additional wiring harness. 3) Antenna adapter.

Find the easied way to remove the plastic cowling around the radio and ac controls. Usually you can locate screws helping to retain the plastic dash parts. Be careful not to break the plastic dash by taking your time and looking over and over the part ofr connection hardware. Once you have located and removed all/if any screws, carefully pry out on the piece you are removing. There are often metal clips on the back of the piece that also help to retain the dash. Once that is removed, unbolt/unclip the factory stereo and slowly pull it out of the dash. Remove the factory harness from the backside of the factory stereo. DO NOT CUT THE HARNESS!! The wiring harness you have purchased is designed to plug and play into the factory harness. All you hae to do is color match the Kenwoods harness with the one you purchased. When wiring the two harnesses together use connectors **** a **** connectors, crimp connectors so forth and so on. If there is wiring you will not be using, take some electrical tape and tape the bare wire. We don't want a short. Once you are sure and have doubled checked that all the wiring is secure and matched, reverse the order of disassembly.

The plastic install kit should replace the factory radio size difference. Just remember to take the metal sleeve tha came with the kenwood and install it into the plastic install kit via the instructions provided. Slide the Aftermarket stereo into the sleeve you just installed. Then you are ready to make all the needed connections. Before you reassemble everything make sure to do a test run with your stereo. If all is well reassemble and jam on.

make sure the speaker wires in the car do not have one side grounded.the output on the clarion is a floating output and cannot be grounded.the best solution is to look at the wiring on each of the speakers,and match them out to the ones on the clarion.the most common colr code is white front left,gray front right green rear left and purple rear right.each speaker has a plus and minus.mixing them up will result in the speakers being out of phase and result in poor bass performance.i would wire the wires directly to the clarion using crimp connectors.the first thing i would do is power up the stereo out of the car to 12 volts,and using a speaker make sure you have sound coming out.the yellow wire which is the clock/memory is a must to be connected to constant 12 volts or no sound can result

It's actually not too hard when you figure everything out. I just installed an aftermarket stereo and couldn't get any sound until I stumbled across a solution on this site. First you need to get the correct wire harness which I bought on ebay for $1.99. Then you need to get the install kit. I got mine at Radio Shack for $10.00 cause they're going out of business. You can get it at Best Buy too or any other car stereo place. To get the old stereo out. Take out the cup holder. There is a button on the top rear of it that releases it. Then remove the 2 screws at the bottom. Gently pull the entire trim that surrounds the stereo, cd changer and ac controls. You will now have access to removing the stereo. It's very easy after that. After you connect the wire harness and install the new stereo you need to run a wire from the red ACC wire on the stereo to the NBS relay in the fuse box under the hood. That's it! Good luck. Sorry I have no pictures.

There are aftermarket wireharnesses available. I suggest the $15-25 purchase. The wires usually match color for color to the aftermarket stereo saving a major head ache if attempting to figure out the factory harness. These adaptors are available at many audo part stores and local installation shops. To check the harness you need, Metra, on of the main aftermarket wire harness manufacturers has an application chart on line, see metraonline.com or a search for American International or Scosche.