Bluetooth radio for my truck… any ideas?

Seeking Help
1

I just got an 05 F350 Lariat, and I’m trying to find a Bluetooth radio that’s simple to install without cutting wires. I’ve seen a ton of flashy touchscreen ones, but I really want something that looks factory but has Bluetooth built in. I’ve seen these for other Ford models but not for mine. If anyone knows where I can find one, I’d really appreciate it!

2

Why not just use an FM Bluetooth transmitter? You plug it into the cigarette lighter, pair it with your phone, and it transmits through your car stereo.

3

Quincy said:
Why not just use an FM Bluetooth transmitter? You plug it into the cigarette lighter, pair it with your phone, and it transmits through your car stereo.

That’s what I’m doing now, but the sound quality isn’t great, and I don’t want to lose the stock look. Any other options?

4

@Bela
I had the same issue in my 08. Upgrading the speakers helped a lot with the stock head unit. Crutchfield was really helpful when I called—they suggested speakers and even included harness adapters, so no cutting wires.

5

@Remy
I’ll give them a call this week. I’ve been avoiding touchscreens because I thought they’d require cutting and splicing, but if there’s an easier way, I might try that. Thanks for the tip!

6

@Bela
Yeah, the transmitter works, but constantly having to switch frequencies when you travel gets annoying. I was glad to move on from that setup.

7

I recently put a Kenwood KDC-BT378U in my 02 F350 after pulling it from my stepson’s old truck. It was an easy swap since there was already an older Kenwood in there. I also paired it with four Alpine speakers, and the setup sounds great! I want a touchscreen eventually for a backup camera, but this works for now.

8

@Micah
I found this one on eBay that looks close to what I need: 2005 Ford F250 AM FM Radio Single-Disc CD Player Auxiliary Input 5C3T-18C869-AH | eBay… Some versions even have Bluetooth instead of just an aux input.

9

@Micah
I’m looking for a head unit that looks almost identical to stock, but with just one extra button for Bluetooth. I found one before but forgot to save it and can’t find it again. So frustrating!

10

You might want to check out the Scosche brand FM transmitters—they’re really good quality.