About to install in a 00 Explorer, have some Qs

[Logikalliquid 10+ year member]

I'm about to start installing a amp and sub (and maybe a HU) in my friends 2000 Ford Explorer. It has premium sound with steering wheel controls. I was wondering what would be the easiest way to hook it all up and keep the steering wheel controls. I've heard of aftermarket units that will let you hook up an aftermarket HU and still use those controls.

Whats involved in using those units?

How much easier would it be to just tap into the stock HU?

Is tapping into the Stock unit an option since there are likely stock amps in the car?

Also, he mentioned that there is a mic that keeps you from turnig the volume up too much like a stereo governor. Is there an easy way around that?

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[Logikalliquid 10+ year member]

Nobody? : (

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

You can install an aftermarket head unit and keep the steering wheel controls by using a third-party adapter like PAC's SWI series. You'd have to pick out a head unit with a wired remote jack, then use the correct interface; ie, most new Pioneer head units have the jack, and you'd buy a SWI-PS to go with it.

Tapping into the factory system would be simpler. All you need is a Line-out converter. When you have factory amplifiers, you just have to tap the LOC between the amplifier and the speaker, and make sure you pick a speaker that plays the frequencies you want to tap. To add a subwoofer amp in an Explorer, just tap into the wires running to the factory sub. You can then disconnect the factory subwoofer if you wish.