My '02 Ranger has the base 4 preset button am/fm radio in it. I hate the way aftermarket radios look in cars so thats not really an option. If I found a factory cd player radio would it be a plug and play affiar, or would it be more of a headache than its worth?

Thanks!

 

Yes it should be a plug and play type of swap. I feel the same way and that's exactly what I did with my 03 Ranger. It had a CD/AM/FM radio and I swapped in a CD/Cassette/AM/FM radio from a 99 Explorer and it's been working great. If you stay with the same OEM style units you should be able to use any from 99 up thru 03 or 04.

 

I know its not a ranger but I put a factory CD player from a 03-04 into my 99 F550 that was STRIPPED!!. Plug and play

 

1998+ Ranger are pretty interchangable. Check to make sure you have this harness in your truck: Ford Explorer 01 02 03 Reverse Radio Wire Harness | eBay

The donor may have additional harnesses plugged into because of various premium sound systems, but that isn't nessesary for function in your truck.

I have a 2001 Explorer CD/Cassette in my '95 but I had to make an adaptor harness because 1997 and earlier are different! Works well but no night illumination.