Another upgrade that's less important for driving that I'm wanting to learn about is upgrading the sound system to Premium Sound. I've already got the AM/FM/CD/Cassette player with the Regular 4 speaker system in my 98 XLT. But I would like to add the factory amplifier and whatever else it's comprised of. I know in 1998 it was the CD/Cassette with RDS. I'm noticing there must not have been many that went for the Premium Sound on a 1998 Ranger. Or any Ranger at all unless it's a newer year. Again my 99 R/T Dakota came with the factory CD/Cassette player with factory amplifier and it sounds great for being a 1999. But the Ford's radio always has sounded better but they don't last as long. Mine has a problem with the seek button and when you press clock the hour moves. I've gone through like 3 factory Ford cd players on my Ranger. It originally came with a cassette player. Can I get the Premium Sound amp off any other Ford vehicle that will plug in and mount directly? Will harnesses be needed or is everything there? I never even have seen a Ranger with the performance limited slip axle. I always wanted a Canary Yellow Ford Ranger Splash 4.0 automatic, with the limited slip. Never could find one and can't find one now. So that's why when I had the change I bought a Solar Yellow Dodge Dakota R/T. If I could find a Splash like that now I'd want to buy it. It's the best looking factory Ranger ever made.

 

Only 1 of my RBV's has ever had premium sound; the '88 Ranger XLT. It consisted of 2 speaker/amplifier units mounted to the floor behind the seat. Something else to be aware of: I learned the hard way with my Bronco II that the wire colors are completely different between premium and standard packages, at least they were in 1988. You might have the most luck scavenging your local salvage yard which would also allow you to study the specific differences.

FWIW, have you considered buying aftermarket upgrades? It would give you more options and allow the advantage of current technology, rather than what was 'premium' in '98, with the parts you find now being nearly 20 years old to boot. Modern decks are fairly easy to install thanks to plug-&-play harness adapters and face plates and from there the rest of the wiring for amps/speakers from your new deck would be simple as well. Unless you're a purist and like everything to stay as Ford intended...

Josh

 

as josh said. You can get way more and its virtually plug and play with the kits.

I have had good luck with crutchfield. Above a certian price point (used to be about $120) you got free shipping, free install kit, free wire harness adapter, etc.

 

I only wanted to add it if it can use the factory equipment. I just like the way the factory stuff looks. I was lucky the cd player I added from another Ford plugged right up. I pulled on from another 1998 Ranger and it looked the same but had a different plug than mine so I can't even use it. I've never found one of the cd/cassette players in a Ranger or any Ford at the salvage yard that had the RDS button instead of the CLK button. I don't know if another plug is required to even use that radio if I ever come across one. I do know the buttons on these Ford radios don't hold up. I still like to replace it with another used original one. I even took out the new Sony cd player from my 99 Dakota when I got it to add back the original Chrysler cd player.