Head unit options

[AquamanCHS]

My stock Mach 460 headunit on my 96 GT has about crapped out on me. It won't play CDs and I can't turn the volume down. So I go to Best Buy today looking for a replacement and they say that to replace the headunit I'd have to replace all the wiring, amp, subs and speakers... everything, basically. He also said for a good system it'd run me in the $1k range.

Did the guy know what he was talking about or was he talking out his ass? Can anyone explain to me why exactly I'd have to replace everything? Does anyone have personal experience with just swapping out the headunit? Can anyone suggest a headunit that has worked for them? And finally, if I can't use an aftermarket system, is there any alternative to finding another stock replacement? The stocker looks like ass .

Thanks

 

[4.6litrebeater]

yup mach 460 sucks to modify, reason is its amplified, and the stock speakers run some weird impedance load of 1.33 or something like that, so if you just toss an aftermarket cd player in there it will sound like ****, since youll be amplifing the signal twice. your best bet is to get rid of the stock amps, speakers and hu get an aftermarket radio run new wires directly to the speakers. it can be a pain in the ass but thats how modifying mach systems works.

 

[JokerWylde]

Another option would be to find the correct wiring harness to hook up an aftermarket headunit to the Mach system. I've never had to deal with the Mach stuff, so I couldn't tell you which harness that is, but I'm sure someone else on here can chime in.

I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive that there is a particular harness made for the Mach system.

 

[mesc7]

Not sure about the 96, but I was able to replace the head unit in my old 94 Mach 460 with a simple wiring harness from Circuit City. I tossed a few subs on it and it sounded pretty decent for stock speakers.

 

[Nottoofast50]

There is a wiring harness for the mach 460. Check out crutchfield.com. They should have them there or be able to point you in the right direction.