anaxagoras

I searched, but really could'nt find any clear cut answers.

I have a 2001 mustang with a Mach 460 sound system. I intend on repalcing my head unit with my sound card, but for the time being i want to stick with the stock amps and speakers cuz i can't afford much else right now.

So i'd just end up using RCAs for inputs to my wiring harness somehow?. How would I go about doing this?

SonicCobra03

I found an adapter that plugs into the mach 460 head unit and outputs RCAs. The back has a 20 pin connector to add an external changer, even though it has a changer built in. Basically it just plugs in the back and you have to tap a 12v source and ground it. Then just plug your RCAs into it. The module also changes the CD button so it toggles between the CD changer and the DJ, which is your RCAs. Works nice and keeps your head unit fully functional. I don't have the link anymore because I bought it over a year ago. But if you search the net I'm sure you'll find it.

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jusatry

cut 'n solder

get a wiring harness for your 'stang, (local stereo shop or online), cut your RCAs (or radio shack has a little board that has RCA in on one side and spkr terminals that are soder friendly on the other), figure out which wires are FR, FL, RR, RL and grounds, find a switched 12V to turn the system on (i suggest putting a toggle switch on this as an audio kill switch....just in case), get a sound card that can handle the number of channels you need (usually 4 for the stock amp in the car, 5 or six if you have an aftermarket sub or want a center channel). Run the RCAs from the sound card into the wiring harness, then snap on when ready. Switched 12V and presto.

Your system may have "balanced inputs".....but my audi bose system works fine with the system i just outlined - i am using an m-audio theater USB external sound card for 4 channels, its working fine.

post if i wasnt clear or you have questions.

Bobby Digital

I run just 2 channel stereo to my stock amps (only 2 channels cuz I'm too cheap to buy a new sound card with more channels). The way I did it is kinda ghetto, but it's cheap and it works.

1) Take any minijack wire (I used a headphone extension wire, which is minijack male to minijack female) and cut off one end (the female end in my case). You should have 3 wires, Left+ Right+ and a single negetive. In my case, the negative was a shield wire.

2) Connect LeftFront+ and LeftRear+ from your head unit wiring harness to the Left+. BTW I suggest using an aftermarket wiring harness so you don't have to cut up your factory wires.

3) Connect your RightFront+ and RightRear+ from the wiring harness to the Right+.

4) Connect all negatives from the wiring harness (LeftFront- LeftRear- RightFront- and RightRear-) to the negative wire.

Voila, you have stereo sound. I also have a Ford sound system in case it matters (Probe).

anaxagoras

Wow, thanks everyone.

SonicCobra, I don't have the dash space to keep my head unit that's the problem, 10.4" LCD mounted sideways will eat up my Vent, HVAC controls, and Most of Double Din unit. I already saw that part. but thanks

Justatry and Bobby Digital, that's more or less what I figured it would come down to, i was hoping there might be another solution, Thanks.

I eventually plan on redoing my entire system once i get money. 4 channel amp for my component speakers, then a dual channel to run 2 10"s. But i just need to hack something together for the time being when i install my CarPC in April (I hope).

kram

eather way you go you will need a nother amp. the stock 460 headunit is amplified for the highs. then it has preouts in the form of speeker wires that go to the amps that run your mids and lows. i have a 2001 and thats the way i had to do it with no headunit

anaxagoras

Yeah, I know i'm gonna need another amp. I plan on redoing my entire audio system. But i don't have the money to do it the right way, so i just want to hodge something together in the mean time.

I've yet to bust out the multimeter, what is the impedence of the speakers that come with the 460? Hopefully nothing odd like 3 or 6 ohms.