> Thanx Ulysses, your post was right on about what I've been fighting on this
> "simple" switch on stereo systems. Like you, I am trying to put in an
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> on your Explorer a bit and might have suggestions on more if I start
> going more into this vehicle.
I'm no auto mechanic but with the help I get from this newsgroup I've
managed to keep two Explorers in good operating condition. Before I got my
first Explorer about all I knew how to do was change spark plugs, adjust
valves, and replace a starter or alternator etc. Now I tackle more
sophisticated stuff but since it would cost more to get it repaired
professionally than the truck is worth I figure if I screw something up
really bad I don't have much to lose. I just don't start working on it
until I'm pretty sure I have all the information I need. So far so good.
I daydream of making this unit my wife's
> Mrs. Rose offroad toy with the lift kit and big tires, etc. but that's a
> few priorities down the list. For now it was suppose to be a simple stereo
> install.
I seem to recall the wiring adapter being around $12 or $13. They seem to
sell them at many auto parts stores but don't always have the correct one in
stock.
The speaker wires on the adapter all matched correctly with the adapter as
far as the colors and polarity. In order to look at the power etc wires I
would have to pull out the stereo again (I guess I should have written it
down). Basically there were 3 or 4 wires that needed to be dealt with: Red
for power, Black for ground, and another one for the radio memory which is
usually Yellow but may have been different on the Ford. Then there are more
for the power antenna and such. The amp harness simply bypasses the amp so
it is no longer being used. Please don't use this info for the wire colors
as the Gospel Truth as I am going by memory here. If you have a voltmeter
it should be easy to find the ground and power wires.
It's funny but I was also thinking of making my wife's Explorer into an
offroad chick car (it's Wild Strawberry in color). I have two teenage
daughters who might think it's fun and it may even make it more capable of
transversing the dirt roads here when it's raining. So far it has always
made it in it's stock condition, but at least one of my daughters would
probably enjoy intimidating some of the boys ;-)
surf_dude - 28 Feb 2006 04:35 GMT
Here's what I did to replace the stereo in my '93 Sport:
Followed instructions here:
http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalMazdaNavajoStr.htm
I needed a little adapter to match the original cable to the new connector
on the player.
Don't forget to bypass the amplifier hidden inside the right rear wheel
well. This was the tricky part. It didn't work until I bypassed the amp. I
didn't take off the seat-belt bolt (huge torx bolt mounted high). I was able
to pry the plastic fender back far enough to reach in and mate the bypass.
http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalMazdaNavajoAmpBPass.htm
I put in a $100 Pioneer radio/mp3 disk player. It works and sounds great.
SD
> > Thanx Ulysses, your post was right on about what I've been fighting on
> this
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> made it in it's stock condition, but at least one of my daughters would
> probably enjoy intimidating some of the boys ;-)
garpo - 28 Feb 2006 06:43 GMT
Thanx for the reply Ulysses. You might check out the message Surf Dude
sent.It leads to a great web site that has great possibilities.
I also have a daughter; 12 going on 16. Scares ol'Dad and makes me
understand those looks from them Dads when I was the kid sniffin' around
back then. She's already talkin' about "her car" and I'm teaching her a
little driving on the back roads. This vehicle is our weekend fishin'
vehicle and will probably be around when she gets a learner's permit. "Her
car" will have to be the one with all the latest safety bags and bells and
whistles; but their first wheels are usually "bumper cars" and this is a
good one.
I've had to give up trying to work on these newer autos; I use to like
wrenchin' on my '70 Chevelle back when. I give the work to the guys that do
it all day everyday and have the tools, place, and info on that particular
vehicle. But it gets aggrevating to have to come up with the big bucks on
each and every little thing, knowing that to get my keys back I have to
pay their overhead. But I know a little about business,too. We all have to
make a living. (Paid $500 to have an EGR valve and Valve gaskets put in my
2001 Saturn last week; should have signed the check Stupid.) So, I
understand what ya mean about having to work on autos. I try to do the
trivial stuff myself, but time is always a factor. Thanx for letting me
share--have a good evening, Ulysses
Wow! MOst excellent info, Surf Dude. I wish I had known about
carstereohelp.com long ago. The site is going to make this replacement
understandable and I'll probe the site for more ideas on some future
projects. I am beginning to rethink and will probably upgrade my wife's
Explorer with a stereo like what you did and put the cheapy in my '86
Chevy service van. Thanx,I'm groovin' on it. (yea I'm from THAT era).