Installation of Pioneer AVH-P4300 DVD Receiver ***DISCLAIMER***
I installed the above stereo in my 2011 FORD RANGER 4.0L V6
SOHC FX4. Please be sure that the above deck will work in your vehicle before proceeding with this tutorial. Also note that I am new to stereo installation and that this tutorial only covers a very basic install. When complete you will be able to use radio, ipod/iphone connectivity, and cd/dvd/mp3 playback. For satellite radio, Bluetooth, navigation and rear-view camera capabilities you will need to look to another tutorial. I accept NO responsibility for your vehicle, your stereo or any problems you may have with your installation. This is a guide to be used for your reference and at your own discretion.
IMPORTANT – Some shaving/filing of the factory bezel is involved in this tutorial which will make reinstallation of the factory deck difficult or impossible.
LEGAL – This tutorial explains a parking brake bypass wiring method which enables DVD playback while driving. I am not an advocate for unsafe or illegal driving practices and advise you to use your own judgement when operating the DVD playback functions of your stereo.
1. Tools/Parts required
Aside from the deck you want to install and the parts it comes with you’ll also need the following parts which can be purchased from various places, including Bestbuy, The Source, Amazon, etc.:
a) BHA1771 aftermarket wiring harness for 98-06 Ford Ranger
b) Stereo Dash Kit for Ford Ranger 98+
c) Pioneer CD-IU51V (Ipod/Iphone Cable)
d) Extra wire (guage???)
e) Small zip-ties
f) 12 volt relay*
*The 12 Volt relay is used for wiring the deck. The deck is designed so that DVD playback can only happen while the vehicle’s parking brake is engaged. I don’t know how to wire the deck this way so I wired it using the 12 volt relay method in order to bypass the parking brake. Please be advised that DVD playback while driving is illegal and unsafe. Wire your deck this way at your own risk.
Here is a list of essential tools you will require for wiring your deck:
a) Pry tool/wedge
b) 7mm socket with ratchet or 7mm socket driver
c) Phillips screwdriver
d) Electrical Tape
e) Wire stripper/crimper
f) Wire cutter
g) Large file, scroll saw or dremel tool.
h) Crescent wrench
i) A flash light can be helpful
2. Set up for and removal of the factory deck.
-Pop your hood
-Remove negative side battery terminal (so you don’t get shocked)
-Use 7mm socket to remove two bolts in dash (near temperature controls)
-Use pry tool to pop dash bezel
-Disconnect all wired accessories including the factory deck.
-Remove dash bezel with factory deck to a well lit and clean working area.
-Remove factory deck from dash bezel.
3. Wire the new deck and test functionality.
When you remove the factory deck you may or may not find that it has two separate harnesses. For our purposes we will only connect one. Only one factory harness will connect to the BHA1771, the other (I believe) is used for satellite radio.
The deck comes with its own wiring harness. I found it easier to remove this harness from the deck for ease of wiring. You will be connecting these wires to the BHA1771 aftermarket wiring harness which will then connect to your Ranger’s factory harness. For this process you will need your wire strippers, wire cutters, extra wire, electrical tape, BHA1771 harness and the 12 volt relay.
Make sure your vehicle’s negative battery terminal is NOT connected.
Most of the connections are fairly straight forward. Make all speaker connections, 12 volt power and memory. I didn’t worry about Amp Ground, Mute, Grounding Dimmer, Dimmer, Illumination, Amp Remote or Power Antenna. They are all still available for easy connection in the future but I didn’t want to mess around with them at this point.
For the 12 volt relay do the following:
a) From PIONEER HARNESS connect Light Green wire (park brake wire) to terminal #85.
b) From PIONEER HARNESS connect Blue wire (remote wire) to terminal #30.
c) From BHA1771 HARNESS connect Black wire (ground wire) to both terminal #87 and #86.
Now that you have your speakers, power/memory and 12 volt relay wired you only have a few more steps. From your PIONEER HARNESS you have to ground the BLACK wire to an un-painted metal surface. Re-connect the PIONEER HARNESS to the pioneer deck and connect the BHA1771 to the Ranger’s factory harness. If you want to run an ipod/iphone you need to connect the Pioneer CD-IU51V cable to the USB and 3.5mm AUX ports in the back of the Pioneer deck. Route the end of this cable to whatever location you desire (ie glove box, etc).
When you have completed the above steps make sure all your connections are tight and taped. Connect the negative battery terminal under the hood. Put your vehicle key in the ignition and turn to accessory. Your deck should power up and you should be able to run all its features (ie Radio, cd, dvd, ipod, etc). You should have sound through all four speakers as well. When you are satisfied that the features work as you desire turn the key off and be sure the deck turns off. If the deck doesn’t turn off, refer to the wiring section again and double check your connections.
4. Trim dash bezel to fit new deck.
Now that you’re sure all the features of your new deck are operating correctly you can feel good about trimming down your dash bezel. I measured both decks and trimmed the dash bezel accordingly. This part is difficult to explain but I’m sure you can figure it out. I didn’t have a dremel so I used a metal file and hack saw to trim it to size. It doesn’t sound very professional but the deck looks factory now! To avoid unnecessary gouges or scratches on your dash bezel you should tape off any areas you’re not trying to trim. Remember to also account for the mounting hardware you’ll be using when deciding how much to trim. It wouldn’t hurt to mount the side pieces to your deck for measurement purposes, however, don’t push the deck (with mounting hardware) into the bezel until you’re sure you’re ready. It would be difficult to remove after the fact.
5. Final Installation
Once your bezel is trimmed enough to accept your new deck go ahead and mount your dash kit hardware according to the instructions it came with. You can do the next bit a number of ways but for maximum control over fit and look I decided to mount the deck to the bezel before making the electrical connections. Be sure the negative battery terminal is NOT connected before proceeding. Make all wired connections (ie 12 volt accessory, 4x4 and stereo etc). Reinstall dash bezel and tightly bolt with factory 7mm bolts.
6. Final Comments
Before you can enjoy your deck you have to remember to reconnect your negative battery terminal. Then make sure all vehicle functions are operating correctly. Turn up the volume and enjoy.
If you have any questions or concerns please add them to this thread or private message me.
FYI – This deck is also Bluetooth, satellite/HD radio, rear-view camera and backseat audio/video capable. Additional parts are needed for the deck to be used in these capacities. If you were so inclined you could even integrate an xbox, psp or other video game system.
Some Reference Pis to follow