Car Stereo Wiring for a Beginner

[caedmon]

I will be installing my iPod into my 2003 Ford Ranger when my AUX kit comes in next week, and I'm trying to lock down all the information I need before it comes in so I can get right to installing once it arrives. I have tools to remove my factory head unit and I have a good idea of how I want to run the wires, but I've never done any wiring before and I'm more than a little concerned I'm going to electrocute myself, fry my electronics, or both.

I bought the PAC FRD-AUX adapter which I can see from other installation guides requires splicing into my stereo wiring for power. I also will be (attempting) to install an extra 12-volt input behind the dash for the belkin charger so I can get a true line-in as well as only have one cable be exposed from behind the dash.

This all being said, do any of you know of any guides or sites that would be good for me to read up on? Google has failed me thus far and I'd really like to attempt this project myself to gain knowledge of this type of project as well as avoid paying a stereo installation place almost as much as the price of a new iPod to install it for me.

Thanks in advance for the help and if there's any other information I can provide that would be helpful, please let me know and I'll post as much as I can.

[UK Baz]

For more information try

www.talkaudio.co.uk

Its a cracking car audio forum based in UK, and the members are ver friendly - they should be able to answer your questions. There is a lot of information on that site too.

Baz

[caedmon]

I took a look around on that site and while it seems to have some great audio-related information, I didn't see much in the way of electrical wiring tutorials which is really what I need.

Does anyone have any tutorials or installation guides for installing a 12-volt outlet and/or connecting a PIE-AUX to your head unit's power supply?

[ajgonzales]

get a chiltons or haynes manual for your car and it will most likely have wiring diagrams for your radio. it will tell you which wires are power and ground.

also, what kind of car do you have? look for an online forum for your car.. people on there will know your car more in-depth. they'll be able to tell you how to take everything apart and exactly which wires you want to use.