bh6247

So it is a plug and play switch to install a shaker 500 in a base model but you won't have sub woofers. I would be satisfied with just the four speakers working. Not an audiofile and don't need pounding base, just some noise is ok by me. What I would like to know though is would swapping in a shaker 500 and a premium steering wheel allow for the audio controls on the wheel to work. I've read that an acm ( which I assume is an audio control module) needs to be programmed. I also read the acm is in the head unit which would be swapped and thus hopefully would give me what I want which is functioning audio buttons on the wheel.

... one other thing. Do you abolutely need a shaker 500 hu out of a recent car. Can you use the head unit out of a 09 Mustang for example and expect it to be plug and play in a 12 model year again with the wheel controls working.

stupidgenius36

Well the HU in an '09 definitely won't work...it won't even fit. There's more than just the HU. If it's like the 05-09's, then there's also amps tucked away. As long as the wiring harness is there for the audio controls, I'd assume they'll work after the dealer programs the HU.

Hytek

It's probably easier and cheaper to get an aftermarket head unit and dash kit.

SterlingStangMan

I picked up a Shaker 500 HU on ebay for $125 from a 2011 and yes, it is plug and play. I had upgraded to the GT500 steering wheel earlier and the controls works without a reprogram. I upgraded to Pioneer speakers in the front doors and it sounds much better. I will likely upgrade with door subwoofers and amps installed by an audio shop later. For $125 I got a 6 CD changer and Sirius capabilities so, for me this was a good bang for the buck. Getting in the dash and counsole is a "snap"!

bh6247

Awessome!!! Just what I was hoping to hear.

bones302

I guess going from a base to a shaker head unit is a big improvement, however the shaker radio is not that great. going to an aftermarket head unit would easily cost over $600 because you won't find a dash kit for less than $200 and then you have to buy harness adapters and head unit on top of that.

I'm not an audiophile per-se myself, but I like my music load and clear and I'm thinking you may not be ultimately satisfied with the shaker upgrade. it is rather muddy and the bass roll-off kills me.

you may want to consider listening to one on another mustang before going all in.

Wheelmanrob

Do you gain the sync features when swapping in the Shaker 500 system?

That would be nice.

SterlingStangMan

Not in my case. Snyc is a whole different animal and I think even if you did have a unit that had Sync, it still would not work. Probably needs to be programmed for it to work. I am sure the wheel is connected but kind of like a "bridge to nowhere".

perfect storm

Does the shaker 500 have noticeable improvement over the base unit? (i have already upgraded my front base speakers, so wondering if the swap to the shaker 500 will yield anything noticeable). thanks.

SterlingStangMan

Sound improvement...maybe ever so slightly. Not having the door subs and amp is part of the problem and make it hard to really tell. Upgrading the speakers are a significant improvement and likely the single biggest bang for the buck. When I swapped in the Shaker 500 HU I was more concerned with the steering wheel buttons becoming functional (did you upgrade the steering wheel?). It was kind of a nice bonus that the Shaker 500 is a 6 CD player and has Sirius incorporated.

Laroh

I just swapped it out today and it works like a charm. The only problem is that I lost my AUX button for the iPod/iPhone input (which is important to me).

I'm not sure why it is this way, but I want to figure it our soon.