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What is Crutchfield ReadyHarness™?

This exclusive service will make connecting your new stereo to your car a whole lot easier

crutchfield readyharness finished

Our exclusive Crutchfield ReadyHarness™ service will make connecting your new stereo to your car a lot easier. The shipping delay is minimal, the cost is reasonable, and if you're just not into wiring, the convenience is totally worth it.

Some people think that wiring up a new car stereo is a challenging and enjoyable activity. Other people very much do not. If you're in the second group, you can take some of the stress out of your car stereo installation with a custom-crimped Crutchfield ReadyHarness.

crutchfield readyharness

The process begins when we pull your receiver off the shipping line for some very special handling.

After 40-plus years of helping car stereo enthusiasts save money by installing their own gear, our technicians have talked to tens of thousands of customers. And what did they talk about the most? Wiring.

That's why we created our ReadyHarness service. This Crutchfield-exclusive program (Seriously, who else would even think of doing this?) will give you a big head start on your car stereo installation.

readyharness process in progress

Our expert technicians refer to Crutchfield's vast automotive database to make sure we're making all the right connections. 

How it works

If you purchase our ReadyHarness service, we'll pull your new car stereo out of the box, remove its wiring harness, then connect it — wire by wire — to the vehicle-specific harnesses that plug into your vehicle's wiring.

Here's a quick description of the process: 

We use a custom-tooled industrial crimping machine to ensure that your ReadyHarness will stand the test of time, including summertime temperatures inside your car. Crimping isn't just faster than old-fashioned soldering, it ensures a strong, reliable connection.

Our wiring pro consults the wiring diagrams for your car stereo and for your vehicle to make sure that every connection is correct. We'll even terminate any unused wires, so you won't have to worry about them.

crutchfield readyharness crimping

Our crimping machines apply roughly 3035 pounds of force, so you'll get a secure, long-lasting connection you can count on

The Crutchfield ReadyHarness is then packed back with your new stereo, so when your package arrives, you'll be able to plug one end into the car stereo and the other into your vehicle.

In most cases, you'll still have to make a couple of connections to your vehicle (the steering wheel control adapter or a parking brake wire for a DVD receiver, for example), but we've handled the hard part.

Reasonable cost, minimal delay

Our database will automatically choose the ReadyHarness package that's right for your installation. It'll take a little extra time for us to build your ReadyHarness, so plan on your new car stereo arriving a day or two later than usual.

crutchfield readyharness finished

Your completed ReadyHarness is bagged and ready to go. We'll also include any extra wires that might be needed for your particular installation.

Available for most vehicles

The ReadyHarness service is available for most 1989-up vehicles. Are there exceptions? Of course there are – aren't there always?

  • Older (pre-1989) cars and trucks with aftermarket radios, modified harnesses, and/or fatigued wiring aren't eligible, because we have no idea what's on your side of the equation. 
  • In a similar vein, we're not able to work with harnesses that provide fewer than three functions. You can probably handle that yourself, anyway.
  • And finally, there's really no way to make this service work if you need to bypass a factory amplifier. Even if we started that wiring process for you, there's a lot more to do on your end, so ReadyHarness wouldn't be that much help.

If your purchase isn't eligible for ReadyHarness, don't worry. Most Crutchfield receiver purchases include discounted vehicle-specific installation kits and wiring harnesses, installation instructions, and free tech support for the life of your gear. If you need some help, we're just a phone call away.

readyharness being shipped

Once everything's done, the ReadyHarness goes into the box with the receiver and heads off to another satisfied customer. The whole process only adds a day or two to the delivery time.

Let's get started!

At Crutchfield, we make stereo shopping easy. When you enter your vehicle information, our database will show you the receivers that fit, then help you choose the wiring harness adapter you need to make your new receiver work with your car or truck. 

Once you've chosen a receiver and the (deeply discounted) wiring harness and/or dash kit you need for your vehicle, add it to your cart to see if your vehicle is eligible for ReadyHarness.

To learn more, just call or chat with our advisors.

Please share your thoughts below.

  • Stefan from Leland

    Posted on 11/4/2023

    I bought a kit and missed selecting the ready harness option. If I am having issues getting my radio installed, can I send the wiring back to and have your team do the wire prep? Or am I sort of on my own at this stage?

    Commenter image

    Crutchfield Writing Team from Crutchfield

    on 11/9/2023

    Stefan, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Since you bought your gear from Crutchfield, you can call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system.
  • Ronnie Simmons from Kathleen, Georgia 31047

    Posted on 7/10/2023

    My pastor has a 2010 toyota Tacoma, double cab, v-6 engine. In 2017 he had someone install a kenwood head unit(double din) in it and literally butchered the wiring. The kenwood # is DDX 9904S. As you know there is not a whole lot of room behind the radio for a bunch of connectors and all of a sudden the vehicle is blowing fuses. Upon inspection I found raw wires everywhere. What I would like to do for him is repair it properly. I have the means of testing the head unit and it works. I guess my question is can you build me a plug and play harness to where he won't be worried with this anymore. I am not a stereo store person, however I am an auto technician certified in just about everything except all of these modern day electronics. My pastor tried to get someone to look at it but everyone backed off except me. I would certainly appreciate any consideration from you. Thanks again in advance.

    Commenter image

    Crutchfield Writing Team from Crutchfield

    on 7/11/2023

    Ronnie, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Give us a call and talk to one of our advisors. We can help you choose the right gear and give you the right advice on how to install it.
  • Matthew from Pittsburgh

    Posted on 7/1/2023

    Why is the ReadyHarness not an option for any of the radios that I've looked at? Ive checked everything and the only options the checkout process gives me are the upsell extra packages. I just want the harness; yeah maybe the steering wheel controls on my 2014 jeep Compass would be nice but I can live without.

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 7/3/2023

    Matthew, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Give us a call and talk to one of our advisors. We can help you choose the right gear and give you the right advice on how to install it.
  • Bobby Richardson from How

    Posted on 8/7/2022

    How can I wire up my rear view camera my 2006 Toyota tacoma and I have a new radio on rear view camera have a red wire and black wire the camera is a boss elpc40b

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 8/8/2022

    Bobby, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. If you bought your gear from Crutchfield, you can call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system.
  • John R Weems from Visalia, CA

    Posted on 5/3/2022

    I bought one of these wiring setups; it saved lots of time and much frustration. I had done many wiring installations on my vehicles and friends. This was so gest. Unfortunately, the vehicle got hit and totaled a week later. First thing I got out was the new radio and harness that I had received together from Crutchfield. Only after that, I thought of registration wallet and needed items in glove box. I will use your service whenever I need to install equipment. Thank you.

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 5/4/2022

    John, Ouch. Sorry to hear about the vehicle, but thanks for the kind words! We'll be here when you need us in the future.
  • David Fromm from Cottontown

    Posted on 4/9/2022

    I have a 97 Ford Thunderbird. I just purchased a JVC radio and wiring harness through Crutchfield. My car has anti theft which I cannot plug into the radio. I can wire the power source but not the speakers. Help me please

    Commenter image

    Crutchfield Writing Team from Crutchfield

    on 4/11/2022

    David, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Since you bought your gear from Crutchfield, you can call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system.
  • Francisco Quinones from New York

    Posted on 4/3/2022

    Hi, I have a question about my friends 2012 vw passat . He bought the entire system for his car through you guys because I recommended it. I installed a pioneer avh2550nex and for some reason the radio stays on even with the key out the ignition unless you power it off manually it would stay on. Please let me know if I am doing something wrong or if I need a different harness then the one he picked up. I did color match every wire correctly and I never had an issue with every car I done except for his car.

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 4/4/2022

    Francisco, With questions like that, it's always better to have a conversation with a real live human. Since your friend bought the gear from Crutchfield, you can call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. Just have the order info handy when you call.
  • Ernie H from Newport News

    Posted on 3/30/2022

    I have a head unit that my brother gave me from his Dodge Ram, I want to install it in my 2006 Dakota SLT. Would you guys be able to help me with a wire harness?

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 4/1/2022

    Ernie, Factory-to-factory swaps like that aren't as simple as they seem and they don't always work like you'd think. That doesn't mean it definitely won't work, but we're not sure it will. You might want to check out some Dodge/Ram owners' forums and see if anyone else has had success with this kind of swap.
  • Frederick West from Leesburg

    Posted on 10/30/2021

    I would like to thank all the Crutchfield Staff for walking me through the whole process from start to finish Esp. Diane for taking the order and the tech who did the wiring harness, the step by step instructions were to the tee, shipping was right on the money, I know we're I'm buying speakers for my ranger. Thanks

  • Jason hoots from Nashville

    Posted on 3/18/2021

    This is the best idea anyone could come up with..as an installer for several years this makes installations a breeze.its definitely worth the 25 bucks just in the time and headaches it saves you..GREAT IDEA GUYS THANKS

    Commenter image

    Jon Paul from Crutchfield

    on 3/18/2021

    Jason, Glad you like it!
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