Mach 460 system compatability with aftermarket head unit.

search4aztlan · Jun 18, 2004

I'm not too crazy about the mach 460 so I'm looking to put in a Pioneer head unit. What will it be compatible with and what will have to be bi-passed? I'd hate to have things go to waste and would like to utilize everthing expect the stock head unit.

What are the specs for the mach 460?

5.0_GT_kid · Jun 18, 2004

From what I understand to use an aftermarket head unit with the Mach 460 you have to bypass the amps,

thereby making the whole sound system crap really.

5.0 Mustang and Super Fords mag did a article about this, and they said and I quote "Other than directly replacing the speakers, there is little you can do to the system without bypassing the amps."

Ford didn't want that system messed with.

:OT: If you decide to get a new system, keep me in mind, I might be looking to buy a Mach 460

5.0_GT_kid · Jun 18, 2004

IT'S YOU! I'M BUYING YOUR CAR!

Wow man I was looking at the avatar of the white Mustang and then saw the profile. Hahaha You need to post some pics of the new stang buddy.

Oh and I forgot you like the 94's sound system better, guess I'm not looking for a Mach then

Car Nut · Jun 18, 2004

I have an Alpine HU that is connected to the Mach 460. All of the amps are connected as well. FYI: If you go to a retail place like Circuit City or Best Buy, they won't know how to include the amps which largely are dependent on your HU (you need 4V pre-outs). 4V keeps the static away and properly powers them. I've got no static here at all.

The downside:

Even though my upper and mid range sound much better, clearer, louder, you will not get the bass that used to come out of the Mach system. However, this can be solved by adding your favorite 10" or 12" sub along with a custom box and mono amp. This takes care of all the sound spectrums. Is it better than a totally modded component system? NO! But, with this setup, it is quite respectable and inexpensive.

Don't cheapen out on the Head Unit though. The HU's with 4V pre-outs cost a bit more, but you'll notice that it's worth it and easy to add the bass end components.

KTD SC · Jun 18, 2004

I have a 94 GT with a Mach 460, and all i did was goto cirtuit city, buy the head unit and a wire harness and i hooked it right up and it works awsome...

1hot5.0 · Jun 18, 2004

KTD SC said:
I have a 94 GT with a Mach 460, and all i did was goto cirtuit city, buy the head unit and a wire harness and i hooked it right up and it works awsome...

I went to ultimate electronics, and I bought a Sony head unit recently. I bought an adapter that was like $15. It hooked into the Mach 460 amp connections and deck connection. And spliced into the connector that goes into the back of the deck.

I have all the bass that I had before, and my mid and high range sounds way better.

rudeone707 · Jun 18, 2004

i just went down to best buy and bought a kenwood deck and had them install it, it works fine.

WMDPALMER · Jun 18, 2004

Call Crutchfield or Crutchfield.com and they will be able to hook you up with what you need. They sold me the HU and the Line leveler. works great!

revhead347 · Jun 18, 2004

There are adapters you can buy at places like Circuit City and Best But. I think they retail for $50. I paid $15 because I knew someone who worked there, and I got it at cost.

Kurt

5.0_GT_kid · Jun 18, 2004

hmm, guess alots changed since 5.0 MM&SF put out that mag (like 9 months)

raginbul469 · Jun 18, 2004

no i think that they just went do a bad shop cause i have worked for best buy for almost 5 years now and have been doin mach 460 the whole time(including my own) and had no real problems.

revhead347 · Jun 18, 2004

I put a head unit in mine 4 years ago, and had no problems.

Kurt

KTD SC · Jun 18, 2004

1hot5.0 said:
I went to ultimate electronics, and I bought a Sony head unit recently. I bought an adapter that was like $15. It hooked into the Mach 460 amp connections and deck connection. And spliced into the connector that goes into the back of the deck.

I have all the bass that I had before, and my mid and high range sounds way better.

What he said

chaos254 · Jun 18, 2004

do any of you guys get static? I put in an alpine headunit a long time ago but there always seems to be static. I get used to it now but when i turn the volume down you can hear it easily..

go.rei GT · Jun 19, 2004

chaos254 said:
do any of you guys get static? I put in an alpine headunit a long time ago but there always seems to be static. I get used to it now but when i turn the volume down you can hear it easily..

There are several factors to take into consideration in finding the cause of your static. First, you need to be more specific as to when you here the static. Is there stacic when: playing the radio, cd, or both?; when the engine is off (key in the acc. position), or running?; does the stacic sound increase w/, or change with the engine's rpm's?.
I forgot, did you not have any static with the factory HU? Mine was pretty rough before I installed my Alpine which greatly cleaned/cleared up the sound. The Alpine HU should have helped due to a far superior signal to noise ratio.

madams74 · Jun 19, 2004

Screw the unit that has the knobs so you can adjust the pre-amp voltage. Its a waste of money. I purchased a set of RCA tee connectors. The connectors plug into the back of my Sony at the RCA port. It turns a single plug into 2 separate RCA plugs. Now that is a total of 4 RCA connectors. 2 for the LEFT and 2 for the RIGHT. I then purchased a plug that converts RCA plugs into the factory plug for the factory amps. The plug has a left and a right that I used a normal RCA cable to hook up. That takes care of the factory system. If you want to get another amp in the back that you already own you have to tee the RCA's again at the plug in the link below. I now have a complete system. The plug below has 4 wires. They are front left and right and the rear left and right. If you have a DUAL RCA head unit than you dont need the tees. If you dont like me, you need to set your balance to the REAR. You will still have LEFT AND RIGHT CONTROL but all the pre-amp sound is set up for the REAR on a single set of RCA on most headunits.

http://www.scosche.com/scosche/connectors/FD03.asp

HighRev · Jun 19, 2004

You could to that or you can get an adaptor from Best Buy or circuit city that connects to the mach system speakers. The adaptor cost about $40 It will say for premium oem systems and It will specify for the 94-2000 mustang

Mach 460 system compatability with aftermarket head unit.

search4aztlan

New Member

5.0_GT_kid

5.0_GT_kid

Car Nut

KTD SC

New Member

1hot5.0

rudeone707

New Member

WMDPALMER

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

5.0_GT_kid

raginbul469

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

KTD SC

New Member

chaos254

go.rei GT

New Member

madams74

HighRev

New Member

Similar threads

Mach 460 system compatability with aftermarket head unit.

New Member

New Member

New Member

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.

New Member

New Member

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency