The stereo in our 2004 Eddie Bauer Expedition has broken. The CD player keeps giving errors and want play a CD. I want to install an aftermarket radio and haven't been in that scene in many a year. What brands are worthing having these days? What brands have you guys used that you liked? What fits well? I plan to purchase a double DIN size. How well do the steering wheel controls work with an aftermarket radio?

 

I realized I probally posted this in the wrong forum so I posted it over in the audio section.

 

Whatever your decide to do, post your results in this forum. They will be very helpful for the other owners of 2nd gen Expeditions.

 

Will do. I'm going to call Crutchfield and get their input.

 

Crutchfield will tell you they don't have a double DIN to fit the space. The folks here who have done radio work have to do some cobbling to make it fit properly and look good. The other threads on this topic discuss an add on that allows the steering wheel controls to work.

 

After talking with Crutchfield I think I'm going with this Kenwood model: Kenwood DPX500BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

It has everything I want and looks more like a factory unit than most. I also considered this Alpine Alpine CDE-W235BT CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

I like the display better on the Kenwood.

Crutchfield supplies all the adapters I need for my existing speaker system.

I will purchase a seperate adapter for the steering wheel controls.
iDatalink Maestro ADS-MSW Steering wheel control interface — connects your car's steering wheel audio controls to an aftermarket stereo at Crutchfield.com
This adapter allows the user to custom tailor the buttons using a PC to program the controller.

 

Did you tell them it was for an 04 Expedition? I've had the conversation with them twice and gotten nowhere. Does this then take the changer in the console out of the mix or can you integrate it?

 

I told them I had a 04 Expedition. My unit is a 6 disc in dash unit, changer & stereo in one unit. So I will want have the 6 disc capability anymore.

 

Ah, the difference must be in the navigation head unit - with factory nav you got the changer in the console. Interesting if you select a 2004 without factory nav you wind up with a group of double DINs to choose from, including some with nav. If you select a 2004 with factory nav you get no choices.

 

That must be it. I guess the opening is different.

 

It's a nice opportunity to upgrade it to a nav system. Crutchfield has the trim kit that makes it look factory. It's the exact same amount of work to do a nav system as it is to just do a stereo installation. The GPS antenna just goes behind the head unit on the support beam of the dash, hidden out of sight. The GPS signal passes easily through the windshield and dash cover. I installed a Pioneer unit in mine by myself, no problems at all.


-Mike



Pioneer-AVIC-X950BH