This section of the Crossfire forum contains information about dealing with factory and aftermarket stereo systems in Crossfires.
The forum is oriented toward questions about Crossfires so questions about the factory stereo systems definitely have a place here.
Aftermarket stereo system questions are more oriented towards the particular make a model of system than the Crossfire. But it is recognized that questions about "will this aftermarket system work in the Crossfire?" are relevant. Also questions about what the Crossfire connections at the head unit harness connector, antenna and at the factory amplifier.
At the most basic level, most DIN1 head units on the market today can be installed in the Chrysler Crossfire with very little trouble, and utilize the factory amplifier and speakers. The following considerations should be taken to make the selection of an aftermarket head unit and installation as painless as possible.
Questions about aftermarket head units go to the particular head unit in question and are not specifically related to Crossfires. Here are tips for getting those questions specific to a particular aftermarket head unit answered properly:
Download the Aftermaket Head Unit Factory Owners/Installation Manuals
If you have questions about aftermarket head units, here are some things that should get you going with the very best information available.
1.
Go to the manufacturer web site, locate the aftermarket head unit or component you are interested in.
2.
Check the product page, "Support" or "Downloads" page to see if you can download the factory Owners and/or Installation Manuals.
3.
If you don't find the manuals on the Manufacturer page,
a. search for the product on the Crutchfield or Amazon sites. These sites very often have downloadable versions of the manuals.
b. Search the internet using Google or Yahoo using the exact name of the aftermarket unit you are seeking info about - for example "Pioneer DEH-P980BT" will bring up the manufacturer site (Pioneer) and several hits on the model number. Adding "Manual" to this type of search will often get you to the page with the manual to download. Don't be in a hurry to get the manual by paying - most of the manuals are on the internet somewhere for free.
Once you find the manual, go into the installation section and check for a page that shows the harness diagram. Since most car stereo manufacturers have standardized the color of the wires used for common connections, you can quickly tell if the aftermarket unit you are considering has a compatible connector or whether or not you will need to purchase a harness connector (such as the Schosche VW-01B). Some manufacturers (like Blaupunkt, Becker, other brands found in German cars like Porsche, VW, Audi, Mercedes, etc) may already have the correct socket on the head unit and require no harness adapter. Most of the Asian made units will require the adapter to wire onto your aftermarket head unit to allow plugging into the factory wiring harness.
The following illustrations show the colors and pin assignments for the factory harness plug IN THE CAR. Note that the colors and numbers should be referenced as the socket is a mirror image of the back of the stereo or harness socket you purchase.
Here's the Crossfire
Socket Configuration. As previously stated, most major manufacturers used the same colors for same-type connections (EIA Automotive Aftermarket Standard Colors).
Here is an example (click). Be sure to confirm this in the aftermarket head unit installation manual so you don't have problems during your installation...
Use this legend for the colors
Antenna Adapter
Look at the aftermarket head unit to determine if you need an antenna adapter to go from the car connection (Euro-style) to USA style:
Once you have determined your harness connector need (adapter or no), antenna adapter need (yes or no) and lined up the wire connections (in the case where you require a harness adapter), you should be able to install the head unit and use the factory amp and speakers.
"Rear' Speaker Connections
Note that the "rear" speaker channel on aftermarket head units does NOT go to the "rear" speakers in Crossfires. The Crossfire factory amp takes only "front" inputs and splits them to the "rear" speakers in the car. To use the rear outputs from the aftermarket head unit, use the "rear" output leads (usually violet and violet/black; green and green/black) for speaker-level outputs and run them directly to your newly added rear speakers. Alternatively you can run the aftermarket head unit pre-amp outputs to a new external amplifier you are installing, and connect your new speakers to the new amp.
"Subwoofer" Speaker Connections
Most aftermarket headunits today offer a subwoofer output. These leads should be connected to a subwoofer that you add to the car with either an integrated or additional amplifier. The factory Crossfire subwoofers (the "rear" speakers behind the seats) can either be left in place and driven by the factory amplifier, or with some wiring "adventure", removed or replaced.