aftermarket radio

[dznj]

My 85.5 had a Sony cassette/am/fm radio of unknown vintage. The stock radio was long gone. Last week, it quit working, so I decided it was time to put something more 'modern' in the car so I could listen to a CD or get music from my phone.

I found a couple of nice decks at Crutchfield, but they seem to think you need a Floating Ground Adapter (FGA). Do I really need this? Secondly, do all SVO's have an amp in the center of the dash?

Upon inspection of the existing wiring/installation of the Sony, it appears that the installer was no expert. Cut wires, and cardboard pieces stuffed into the bottom of the radio compartment were found, so I know I have my work cut out for me.
http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y356/dmoglin/1985%20Ford%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_20140610_211759_859_zpsilaa7bh7.jpg (http://s1029.photobucket.com/user/dmoglin/media/1985%20Ford%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_20140610_211759_859_zpsilaa7bh7.jpg.html)
http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y356/dmoglin/1985%20Ford%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_20140610_211616_876_zpspvvwmvxi.jpg (http://s1029.photobucket.com/user/dmoglin/media/1985%20Ford%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_20140610_211616_876_zpspvvwmvxi.jpg.html)

Any and all suggestions and comments are welcome.

D

[dagenham]

Yes, all SVO's had amps in them(unless it was a comp prep w/radio delete).
My suggestion is forget about the factory wiring and plugs (due to sketchy past and questionable past wiring).
Start with all new wires, and you wont have any worries down the road.
I cant speak for the factory amps capabilities because mine was gone long before I got my car.

[dznj]

Thank you. I'm thinking about trying this myself.

[JTurbo]

Crutchfield can usually supply the correct wiring harness to mate with the factory connectors....

Not sure about a floating ground, first I've ever heard of that in an automotive application. I thought everything was tied to chassis ground???

[MAPSVO]

In my 86 the factory radio was pretty much junk. I put a Sony in but rather than use and possibly damage the factory speaker wiring I ran new wires adjacent to the factory wires so as to be able in the future to use the factory set up again. Using all new wires I don't have to worry about the floating ground thing. Same for the amp wiring and other radio wiring, just left it intact and made a new harness. My car was all apart anyway so it wasn't too much trouble for me.