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radio installation

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=14483
Printed Date: July 14, 2025 at 4:10 AM


Topic: radio installation

Posted By: fattyarbuckle
Subject: radio installation
Date Posted: June 04, 2003 at 9:31 PM

:D

I have a 1990 ford ranger pickup and the radio/cassette does not work!  My son just gave me the radio/cassette out of his 1996 Thunderbird.  The wiring harness is not the same and I'm wondering if anyone out there knows how I might wire the thunderbird radio to make it work in my ranger??  If I could get a diagram of the wiring harness pin out or the pinout for his radio I know I could probably wire it myself.  I believe his came with the standard ford Amp that is mounted in the trunk.   Any help that anyone could give me would be grately appreciated.

The Fat One

 




Replies:

Posted By: esmith69
Date Posted: June 04, 2003 at 9:38 PM
As you've already noticed, the thunderbirds come with a factory amplifier.  The ford ranger on the other hand does not.  Unfortunately for your situation, it most likely means that you cannot use the thunderbird head unit in the ranger, as it only has low-level (unamplified) outputs.  In order to directly power speakers, you need a head unit that has a built-in amplifier, such as the one that came with your ranger that does not work.  As with many car stereo things, theoretically it COULD be done but you'd need a line driver which will run you at least 75 bucks for a good one, and even then the hookup is going to be very tricky.  You'd be MUCH better off with an aftermarket tape deck for 100 bucks more--it would work perfectly in your ranger.

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Ethan
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"Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success"
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