Dash Radio Upgrade 2006 Diplomat

[Scotty Hutto]

Upgraded the dash radio and speakers and added a subwoofer to my dash radio.

Replaced the stock Magnadyne (1.5 DIN) radio with a Pioneer AVH-X4800BS double din radio. Thanks to @pwhittle for the very sleek trim plate. (Note: This is a unit I already owned; If I were to purchase something today, I would get one with CarPlay and Bluetooth -- something like the Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Added a Pioneer TS-WH500A powered subwoofer and placed it under the dash console behind the bottom drawer

When I added the pic below, it reminded me that I removed about 6-8’ of flex AC conduit that was coiled up back there  

 

 

 

 

 

Replaced the stock Magnadyne 5-1/4" speakers with JBL Concert Series 521 5-14" 2-way speakers.  Although I went from 3-way to 2-way, the sound is greatly improved.

 

 

 

[Steven P]

Nice. Did you have to modify the drawer for the sub to fit?   And do you replace all the speakers in the ceiling and did they require any modifications?    Pics of sub installed and new speakers installed please?  

[astgerma]

I am interested in changing out my magnadyne m9900dvds as it is the second one that I have and does not work.  It lights up but nothing happens.

Looking for alternate radios that will fit in the hole or have an adapter plate for a new radio.  would be pleased to see what other have done.

[Steven P]

The size you will need is a 1.5DIN radio and there's not much out there.  Many of us enlarged the hole for a double DIN radio as Scotty's pic above shows.  That is what I also did and would be my suggestion.  Car audio shops or Best Buy could do the install for you. 

[astgerma]

Thank you, I'll look into that direction.

 

[Scotty Hutto]

On 2/6/2021 at 7:46 AM, Steven P said:

Nice. Did you have to modify the drawer for the sub to fit?   And do you replace all the speakers in the ceiling and did they require any modifications?    Pics of sub installed and new speakers installed please?  

I did not have to modify the drawer.  There is plenty of room behind the drawer for the subwoofer.  I did remove the drawers for the installation, and it was a little difficult getting back there to anchor the subwoofer to the floor.

I replaced four of the six speakers, and rewired them so that they are set up to use the balance and fader properly.  I disconnected the bedroom speakers, and will address them in a future project - most likely somehow tied in with the bedroom TV.

I’ll add some pics next time I make it over to the coach. 😁

[Bruce B]

I changed-out my original stereo that was connected to the CD player, DVD player, TV and had GPS built-in.  The thing is it was so complicated I could never understand it.  I also replaced the drop-down TV with a smart tv.  I gave-up on CD's, DVD,s as streaming is my future.  I found this Alpine single DIN with a large screen.  Now I plug-in my iPhone and use Apple play, bluetooth, Google maps and it is constantly updating and plug and play.  So much easier!  Here is the unit I installed, I highly recommend it.  https://www.crutchfield.ca/p_500ILXF259/Alpine-Halo9-iLX-F259.html

Cheers!

[Gweedo]

Thank you for the responses.  It would be nice to find one that plays movies but it’s not that big of deal.  Movies r mostly for the grand kids.  Thnx again 

[Will52]

On 2/7/2021 at 8:58 PM, astgerma said:

I am interested in changing out my magnadyne m9900dvds as it is the second one that I have and does not work.  It lights up but nothing happens.

Looking for alternate radios that will fit in the hole or have an adapter plate for a new radio.  would be pleased to see what other have done.

reset? JS

[Steven P]

If you have the room, enlarging the hole and adding a double DIN size gives you more options.  Many of us have increased the hole size for larger stereos.  Crutchfield.com is a great website to look at options. 

[DennisZ]

Steven P

I like your dash panels, did you make them or did you find an after market manufacturer?

[Steven P]

@DennisZ Thanks! they are actually the stock panels.  

[DennisZ]

Totally different material in my 08 Endeavor

[Georgia Mike]

I just upgraded my dash radio and had a heck of a time finding the correct radio harness. I didn’t want to wire it direct so I could disconnect it when I needed to take off the front bezel. If you have the ford plug in the picture then this link is the correct harness. I ended up adding a subwoofer in the dash and it made a huge difference in sound. The Atoto head unit I got came with a dash cam and wireless CarPlay. It was less then $300 and so far has been fantastic. The only issue I’m having is trying to find a bezel to go around the radio. I  ordered one and it was to small.

Metra 70-1771 Radio Wiring Harness for Ford/Lincoln/Mazda 1998-Up into Car, 16 Pin

 

[Steven P]

@mikewhich sub did you add?  Powered or nonpowered and if powered, where did you run the pos wire to?

On 2/4/2021 at 12:15 PM, Scotty Hutto said:

Upgraded the dash radio and speakers and added a subwoofer to my dash 

 

Added a Pioneer TS-WH500A powered subwoofer and placed it under the dash console behind the bottom draw 6-8’ of flex AC conduit that was coiled up back there  

 

 

 

 

@Scotty Huttowhere did you get the sub power from?

[Georgia Mike]

I didn’t want to spend a lot so this one had good reviews and it has preformed pretty darn good. As for wiring there were a few harnesses behind the radio that weren’t being used so I used one of those for power. I installed the sub in the dash behind the radio since there was a lot of space in there.

Rockville SS8P 400w 8" Slim Under-Seat Active Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer Sub, Black

[LakeBob]

On 2/4/2021 at 12:15 PM, Scotty Hutto said:

Upgraded the dash radio and speakers and added a subwoofer to my dash radio.

Replaced the stock Magnadyne (1.5 DIN) radio with a Pioneer AVH-X4800BS double din radio. Thanks to @pwhittle for the very sleek trim plate. (Note: This is a unit I already owned; If I were to purchase something today, I would get one with CarPlay and Bluetooth -- something like the Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Added a Pioneer TS-WH500A powered subwoofer and placed it under the dash console behind the bottom drawer

When I added the pic below, it reminded me that I removed about 6-8’ of flex AC conduit that was coiled up back there  

 

 

 

 

 

Replaced the stock Magnadyne 5-1/4" speakers with JBL Concert Series 521 5-14" 2-way speakers.  Although I went from 3-way to 2-way, the sound is greatly improved.

 

 

 

Nice work Scotty.  I’ve never seen that Pioneer sub before.  Are you satisfied with the sound?

curious about the ceiling speakers, my openings are very shallow, die you have to enlarge?

Thanks!

 

[Scotty Hutto]

31 minutes ago, LakeBob said:

Nice work Scotty.  I’ve never seen that Pioneer sub before.  Are you satisfied with the sound?

curious about the ceiling speakers, my openings are very shallow, die you have to enlarge?

Thanks!

 

Yes, very happy with the sound; the sub rocks.  I did not have to enlarge the speaker openings for the ceiling speakers (dash radio*); I went with the same size, just better quality. 

* - on my surround sound I used larger speakers and head to cut new holes. 

[Steven P]

@Scotty Huttowhere did you supply your 12v power from for the sub?  Most of these rec straight to the battery.

[Scotty Hutto]

3 hours ago, Steven P said:

@Scotty Huttowhere did you supply your 12v power from for the sub?  Most of these rec straight to the battery.

I found a unused, switched 14 ga circuit under the dash. I don’t recall what it was labeled for.  I also drilled and tapped a hole in the metal strut under the dash for the ground   

I thought about running a larger (10 ga) wire from the FRB, but this one has worked fine.  I don’t crank it up that loud, so I guess it gets enough power.  

[Jdw12345]

On 2/4/2021 at 12:15 PM, Scotty Hutto said:

Upgraded the dash radio and speakers and added a subwoofer to my dash radio.

Replaced the stock Magnadyne (1.5 DIN) radio with a Pioneer AVH-X4800BS double din radio. Thanks to @pwhittle for the very sleek trim plate. (Note: This is a unit I already owned; If I were to purchase something today, I would get one with CarPlay and Bluetooth -- something like the Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Added a Pioneer TS-WH500A powered subwoofer and placed it under the dash console behind the bottom drawer

When I added the pic below, it reminded me that I removed about 6-8’ of flex AC conduit that was coiled up back there  

 

 

 

 

 

Replaced the stock Magnadyne 5-1/4" speakers with JBL Concert Series 521 5-14" 2-way speakers.  Although I went from 3-way to 2-way, the sound is greatly improved.

 

 

 

Hey Scott,

 What mounting bracket did you use to mount this unit in your dash? I’m presuming your dash is a flat panel. 
 

 Thank you!

[Scotty Hutto]

I used this Pioneer kit from Amazon.  (And yes, my dash is a flat panel 😁)

https://amzn.to/3RY2FdJ

[colorodan]

I changed my OEM dash radio ( Magnadyne) with a same size unit. I switched wire to wire for the new unit and it does not work. I found every wire behind the radio was white. The flat dash front has switches for the radio cut off, gen start, entrance slide cover switch and a pocket I guess for a cell. Again, all wires are white. This is very confusing.

[Tom Cherry]

Hope you took pictures before you cut and spliced....

I found, after an extensive (Curiosity) search ONLY one Schematic that showed the wiring diagram of the higher end Magnadyne.

This came from the 2005 LaPalma but was the same radio used in most all of the OPTIONAL Magnadyne radio MH.

I pulled your brochure. The radio in the picture is a TWIN of the one that I have.  NOW....were the connectors the same?  You need to get the exact model number of the OEM Magnadyne and then pull a manual on it...

This one matches the picture that is in the drawing...

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0657/8103/9344/files/MagnadyneM9900-1InstallationandOperationManual_Manual.pdf?v=1662497160

Check you OLD unit and chase it down or call Magnadyne.  My radio has a TWO pin row....where this one is a single pin row.

That is the only way.  ALSO, did you look CLOSE at the white wires?  Monaco was dot matrix printing the description on them.  Odds are...they are labeled.  May need a hand lens and a flashlight...but they are probably there.

You ought to be good to go...unless the radio was "DEMOED OUT"

Let us know....others will learn...

 

 

Magnadyne 2005 LaPalma Radio Pin Outs.pdf

[Steven P]

I'd start w looking at the back of that Magnadyne. Most radios have about 3" of wire coming out labeled for their purposes. As Tom says, look closely at the white wires for letters.  I have 2 radio switches. Make sure one is off and one is on.  Also possible that a wire came loose when moving all of them around.