Ford Explorer Headunit in a Ranger

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=23242
Printed Date: May 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM

Topic: Ford Explorer Headunit in a Ranger

Posted By: knightridertt
Subject: Ford Explorer Headunit in a Ranger
Date Posted: December 22, 2003 at 11:16 PM

My fiance wants a headunit that has both CD and tape and the 97 Ranger she drives does not have that as an option. She thinks aftermarket units look bad, so she only wants factory. Her dad found a 98 Explorer headunit but it has three connectors on back and the Ranger headunit has only 1. I believe he picked up the Explorer headunit at an auction, so we have no papers with it detailing what the connectors are for.

The headunit will fit, but can anyone help my with fudging the wiring? Thank you.

Replies:

Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: December 23, 2003 at 3:49 PM

Have a look at www.installdr.com and compare the harnesses listed there to the harness configuration on the back of the new radio. If they don't match, and I don't think they will, the new radio probably used a hiddden amplifier(s) in the vehicle and will not operate without them, so back to square one. If the other half does not like all the eye candy on the market today, have her look at Eclipse www.eclipse-web.com . They build really good audio equipment with the key to sound quality and not eye candy. Now someone with one of these radios may post up the wiring pin configuration, that would be great, but a detailed description of the wiring pin configuration and the size and shape of the connectors would be nice to see. Can you make a scetch of it for us?

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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.

Posted By: Sweekster
Date Posted: December 23, 2003 at 6:17 PM

I agree with forbidden. Point her to eclipse or nakamichi. She won't be disappointed at all. They don't make ugly bright silver and chrome head units. They just make good quality stuff and that's it (the come in black so it doesn't attract a thief from a mile away). If she's still insisting on having a factory head unit, you or her dad may want to try and find a radio from a 97 explorer XLT, Expedition XLT, or F150 XLT (I'm thinking the one he got her is from an Eddie Bauer or Limited. If memory serves, that might be for either the amp of the CD changer). You can also try looking for radios from Mazda's B Series trucks (they are the same). As for the radio you already have, take it to the parts department at your local ford dealership and ask if it is compatible with your fiance's truck and also ask for the wiring schematic as well. Hope that helps.

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Duane...

If you think you're confused, imagine how you feel. posted_image