Install an Aftermarket Radio in a 2008 2016 Ford F Series Super Duty

If you're looking to install an aftermarket radio into your 2008-2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty (F-250 through F-550), then you've come to the right place! Here, we'll tell you how to disassemble your truck's dashboard, install your chosen aftermarket radio, and put everything back together.

Steps

  1. Start by disconnecting the negative (-) battery terminal from your truck's battery. This will prevent any short-circuits, electrical shock, etc.
  2. Using a plastic pry tool (or flathead screwdriver), pry out the lower 12V power outlet below the radio on the left hand side. Disconnect the wiring harness from the back of the 12V power outlet and set it aside. On the right hand side of the radio bezel, you'll have one of three things, depending on your vehicle: a blank panel, an auxiliary input jack, or an auxiliary input jack and USB port combination. You'll need to pry out that panel, and disconnect any wiring harnesses (if any) connected to the back of the panel, and then set the panel aside.
  3. Behind each panel you just removed, you'll find two (2) 7mm bolts. Remove both bolts, and set them aside.
  4. With the 7mm bolts removed, pull outwards on the dash panel to remove it from the truck, releasing the retaining clips that hold it in place. You'll need to disconnect any wiring harnesses connected to the back of the bezel. Set the bezel aside.
  5. With the bezel removed, you'll find a few 7mm screws that hold your truck's factory radio to the dashboard. Remove these bolts and set them aside. Pull the radio out from the dashboard of your truck, and disconnect the wiring harnesses and A/M-F/M radio antenna connected to the back of the factory radio. You can now fully remove your truck's factory radio from the dashboard.
  6. Assemble your chosen aftermarket radio to the dash kit according to the manufacturer's instruction, and complete the wiring. As wiring can differ slightly from radio to radio, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions to complete the wiring. You can secure your connections with electrical tape, crimp connectors, or screw-on wiring caps.
  7. If your truck was equipped from the factory with steering wheel radio controls, Bluetooth phone controls, or the Ford SYNC Bluetooth system, you may need to complete additional wiring inside thew truck. Refer to your specific instructions for more information on wiring. You will need to complete the wiring in order to retain these features with your chosen aftermarket radio installed. If you don't have any additional features that you would like to retain in your truck, skip this step.
  8. Connect the A/M-F/M radio antenna adapter to the A/M-F/M radio antenna port on the back of your chosen aftermarket radio. Plug the completed wiring harness into the back of your chosen aftermarket radio. Make sure all connections "click" into place, and give a gentle tug on the wiring in order to make sure it will not come apart.
  9. Back inside your truck, connect the other end of the wiring harness to the factory radio wiring harness coming from your truck's dashboard. Make sure the connection "clicks" into place, and give a gentle tug on the wiring in order to make sure it will not come apart. Connect the other end of the A/M-F/M radio antenna adapter into the factory A/M-F/M radio antenna connection from your truck's dashboard. Make sure the antenna is securely in place before continuing. This is also a good time to run the included USB cable from the back of your chosen aftermarket radio to an appropriate place in your truck, if applicable with your particular aftermarket radio.
  10. Before reassembling the dashboard of your truck, reconnect the 12V negative (-) battery terminal to your truck's battery that you disconnected in Step 1. Test your new aftermarket radio for functionality. If everything works correctly, proceed to the next step. If there are any issues, correct the issues, and then proceed to the next step.
  11. Secure the aftermarket radio to your truck's dashboard by aligning the holes on the dash kit with the factory radio screw holes in your truck's dashboard. Secure the radio using the 7mm bolts you removed earlier. Make sure the radio is securely in place before continuing. Reconnect the wiring harnesses you disconnected earlier to the factory dashboard bezel, making sure they "click" securely into place. Align the factory dashboard bezel, and push the bezel into place to secure the retaining clips on the back of the bezel. Reinstall the two (2) factory 7mm bolts you removed earlier, and reconnect the factory wiring harnesses to the plastic panels you disconnected earlier, making sure they "click" securely into place. Congratulations! You have successfully completed the installation of an aftermarket radio into your truck!

Tips

  • Wiring and installation instructions can vary from radio to radio, so be sure to read the instructions that came with your chosen aftermarket radio and wiring harnesses.
  • The information in this article is provided for informational purposes ONLY, and we are NOT responsible for ANY injury OR damage to your truck. You are completing this installation at your OWN risk.

Warnings

  • ALWAYS disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal from your truck's battery before starting the installation in order to prevent injury or damage to your truck's electrical system.
  • If you do NOT have ANY experience with wiring, please contact a local mobile electronics installer to complete the installation for you. Safety comes first!