2003 svt focus zx3 Factory head unit
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=30062
Printed Date: July 21, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Topic: 2003 svt focus zx3 Factory head unit
Posted By: otto hahn
Subject: 2003 svt focus zx3 Factory head unit
Date Posted: April 09, 2004 at 4:04 PM
Hey all iam new to the forum's, I have a question. I own a 2003 svt focus zx3, with factory audiophile system and the stock sub in the trunk, my question is what do I need to buy, which allows me to just plug the wires together instead of cutting the wire harness in the car... I want to go from factory wiring to RCA, without cutting the wires. Is this possible, I heard it was. If there is an item I can buy, where can I buy it. Thanks for all the help.. ;) Otto
Replies:
Posted By: Sweekster
Date Posted: April 09, 2004 at 4:37 PM
Is there something about the car's sound system that you'd like to change? Anything is possible. but give us a little a little more detail as to what you're thinking about doing to the car. ------------- Duane...
If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel. 
Posted By: otto hahn
Date Posted: April 09, 2004 at 4:58 PM
Well in my old zx3 I did a custom install with subwoofers and amp... I would like to install those again in the new car.. but this time I dont want to cut any wires to install a line converter.. Thanks
Posted By: otto hahn
Date Posted: April 09, 2004 at 4:58 PM
If you need to know the speakers and amp let me know..
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: April 09, 2004 at 7:15 PM
If you cut the original speaker wires to attach the LOC in the old car, you don't have to do that again in this car. Leave the wires in place and T-tap the LOC leads onto the wires. I strip a small section and wrap/solder/tape. You should be able to tap into the rear speaker wires for the sub input.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: April 09, 2004 at 7:27 PM
t-taps.....shiver
------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: robbie2883
Date Posted: April 09, 2004 at 11:33 PM
T-taps....bad.....very bad!!! The best way to do it without cutting any factory wiring would be to buy the male and female wire harness for your factory stereo and make the conections there then just plug and use. the metra part numbers are 70-1771 and 71-1771. You should be able to buy these both at any car stereo shop. Price is around 10 to 15 a piece. ------------- if its jammed force it - if it breaks in the process it needed to be fixed anyway

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: April 10, 2004 at 12:21 AM
My explanation was to tap into the wire, strip a small section, wrap the bare wire, solder, and tape with electrical tape. The "T" is a process, a visual of what it looks like, not a recommendation of the press-on connector some of you are thinking. Check those part numbers for a Focus. It is not listed. Neither is a Taurus. I have soldered into wires a lot of times. If there is some reason that this is harmful, there's a whole bunch of people out here who need to know about it.
Posted By: otto hahn
Date Posted: April 10, 2004 at 11:34 AM
Well in the old zx3 I did the t-tap like the guy suggested, but like I said I dont want to do any cutting to factory unit, and also those parts will allow me to go to RCA? or will i have to go from the parts to line converter? Otto
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: April 10, 2004 at 12:06 PM
Soldering into a wire is fine, just be sure it is insulated afterwards. I think what people reacted to is using a "t-tap" like one of the crimp-on Scotch-lok splices that puncture the insulation. THESE are bad for audio use, no doubt about it, although they generally work fine for low-power +12V taps. I highly recomend using the "into car" plus the "into radio" wiring harness adapters from Metra if they are available. This is how I always install upgrades that need to keep the factory head. That way, if the car is sold later, the upgrades can be pulled without any damage or modification to the OEM system. Creating a line-level (RCA) signal from a factory head that does not have them built in requires a LOC of some sort. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: otto hahn
Date Posted: April 10, 2004 at 1:01 PM
I dont want to sound stupid, but into car, and into radio harness, Is there a website place, or store i might beable to buy these, and or see a description on them? Thanks for all the help. Otto
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: April 10, 2004 at 2:00 PM
No problem, you're not stupid, it's a good question. "Into Car" means it hooks to the factory wiring harness and gives you wires to attach a head unit. "Into Radio" means it plugs into the back of the factory radio and gives you wires, so you could put the radio into another car. Using both means you plug one into the car and the other into the radio and you have all the wires hanging there to play with, without having to cut into the factory wiring harness. Metra 70-1770 and 71-1770 should work in your car. Here's the page. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: otto hahn
Date Posted: April 11, 2004 at 10:57 AM
Thanks dyohn for your help.. Otto
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