Nothing to see here, folks. That's a Jensen I got for a great price some time back ($400 cheaper than the alternatives at the time), but it shares the nickname I gave the porta-potty. Everything functions (except volume) when it's in a good mood, but it's more fickle than a teenage girl. The hands-free microphone makes me sound like I'm talking while directing traffic at the airport. The radio reception's legs are about as long as a dachshund's. The music from the SD card will just stop and skip to the next song like a phonograph needle was lifted and dropped. The backup camera looks great, but it mutes the phone mic and speaker - no conversations in reverse. The most interesting feature is it will automatically switch from music/video/radio to the phone when the phone is ringing, then switch right back to the music/video/radio when you answer the call. The volume **** bit the dust (literally) this winter and no longer works, so I have to use the remote. That's when I discovered the remote is a better way to control these things because I keep my eyes on the road.

My next head unit is a Pioneer - sometime in the fall.

 

The pioneer 3200 bt is great. Dont know if they still sell it. They do have the 2400 bt which i think has all the same features. I dont have any complaints whatsoever about my radio. People dont even know I am talking on bluetooth. My mom who cannot ever understand me can hear me on it. I purchased a cheap wide angle backup camera on flebay for 25 bucks it works great. Makes hooking up to the trailer very easy. I did not hook mine to work in reverse. I didnt want it going to that screen every time I back up. Instead I use the button on the touch screen to activate the back up camera.
I purchased this unit because....
it has bluetooth built in which a lot dont.
It has RDS (radio data system) which most aftermarket dont.
It has nav, sat radio, multiscreen dvd capabilities
looked good
got good reviews
and it was cheap when I got it $350 from crutchfield.
the sd is easy to use and works like a charm as well as the usb.

Just my .02

 

The 3200 is what I have on my radar for the same reasons you listed here, and I will likely leave the reverse camera in manual this time (good idea). I might be looking at a whole different model by this fall - these things are really coming down in price and the manufacturers are listening to the market. I would prefer a bigger screen than the 3200, a lot of pixels are lost to buttons and bezels.

 

I didnt need a bigger screen and wanted tangible buttons, but to each his own.

 

Very good point. I chose the remote route.

 

I wanted the remote but thought that was just lazy and I was trying to be cheap. Should have gotten it.

 

I installed a Pioneer P4300 in my truck a few months back and couldn't be happier. My old CD6 wanted to keep all my CDs...so I yanked it out. Install was not as difficult as it sounds.

 

I have a Pioneer AVIC D-3. I love it. GPS navigation, bluetooth, satellite radio, DVD, MP3 and direct hook up with my iPod Classic. I can stream podcast from my iPhone over the BT, watch video from my iPod Classic. It can also receive feed from a backup camera and input from a CD changer, or video game console. Has output for more monitors if you want to add some behind the headrest, etc. You'll hate driving another vehicle without one after you get it. Mine is a bit old and the newer styles have SD card slots and probably more bells and whistles. I try not to look at the newer ones, it'll just make me want to upgrade.

 

a cheap easy way is to just get a factory ford from something else i got a cd player from a 02 focus for 25 bucks fit perfect pluged to all the factory plugs . install time 5 minutes it depends how much radio you need i like to listen to the motor so a big booming radio is something of the past.i also changed the stock speakers with some 5x8 kenwoods sounds great and loud enough for me .

 

one has to use the special 'tool' to get the stock radio out
how does one hold the new one in?

also, does Ford still sell radios that fit our 7.3's?
iowa

 

You can buy the face for your radio really cheap. It sounds like that is all you need.

 

I have a double din myself it is a Pyle from amazon for $175. plus or minus. I had to trim the opening on the top and bottom. I had two wooden shims on the sides to hold it in place. You can see a pic in my galley. It has a radio, gps, cd, dvd, bluetooth and Ipod and mp3 player.

 

Here's my install write up. Not a hard job at all!

Double Din Install

 

Dave, The "U" shaped "tools" are usually available at WalMart, they do take a little patience using them to remove the stock radio, but they do work.

I gave my Great neice my original single cd unit from my '99, I WAS going to get an aftermarket multi-cd changer-something fancier, but didn't, I ended up finding anouther stock unit just like my original in a pick-a-part yard in an Explorer for $25.00, installed it and its perfect!

There used to be a seller on Ebay that has stock radios that he had added an auxilliary plug for an iPod or whatever right to the face......may be take a look at that possibility....

This all said I for one sure wouldn't sand, file or cut my dash in any way just to install an aftermarket radio, and can't for the life of me understand why others are saying to remove the dash to remove and/or install ANY radio.

I just checked Ebay and there are 2 sellers that call themselves "factoryradio" I think the one that does the iPod plug is the better one.....may be he can fix YOUR radio, and even add the iPod plug for you??

I've got the "cheaper" looking factory single cd unit from my Great niece's '04 Ranger (cd DOES NOT WORK) that you are welcome to for whatever shipping is if ya want it.

How are the Mustangs doing? send me a pm or email if ya want.-Rick

 

supercab!
i don't really like the idea of disturbing my dash in anyway either!
i like your idea of finding another stock unit with the ipod plug etc.
would like to find one that had a usb port for my MP3 music files

the mustangs are fine
we are going to try the Powerjection III unit again in my son's car
the 65 hipo mustang is sitting
quietly awaiting restoration as i'm finishing my '41 L4 Grasshopper!
dave