[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Jan-02 AT 00:32 AM (EST)]I want to add a cd player to my truck but I don't want to destroy the factory apperance, I see alot of radio installs in nice vehicles that look awful because they don't match the interior. I wonder what year unit will fit my truck. I has am/fm/cass, cass is very poor now. Would I have to upgrade to "premium sound" componants? is there any difference in wiring or spekers? I don't want a mega sound system just teh ability to play cd's. I will probably upgrade to better speakers if I do this. truck is a 91 F-250 4x4 xlt lariat

 

to the best of my knowledge, that year truck never came with factory CD player. I realize that there are many head units out there that can look sub par when installed, but what you have to realize is that a majority of what looks horrible isn't the radio itself, it's the install panel used to finish the job. Go to any of your local electronics stores (circuit city, good guys, best buy, etc.) and ask to see the compnents they would use. I think you'll really be surprised at just how clean a good install can look. My 90 f150 and my roommate's 89 f150 both have aftermarket stereos, and I don't think any factory unit Ford ever offered for any year truck can compare. Of course, that all depends on the quality of the stereo you put in. My biggest word of advice is to pick a unit that has good anti-skip qualities. My personal preferences are Sony, Pioneer, and Kenwood to name a few, while some of the real stinkers like JVC, Jensen, and Audiovox should be left alone. Just remember, you always get what you pay for. Expect to pay somewhere between $200-$300 for the stereo and all the necessary instal components, unless of course you're having it installed in which case you can expect to pay about $50 more. Check out Wal-Mart, too. I'm pretty sure they don't install, but their prices are really competitive on some good brand name stuff.


As far as the speakers go, the premium speakers offered were the exact same dimensionally, just better quality. Again, my personal preference is to go with some nice aftermarket speakers (preferrably ones without paper elements cause they blow out so easily). Actually, buying these is my favorite part. I love annoying people while I sit there and try every single stereo/speaker combo possible. I'm pretty sure the speakers in the door are just 6" round deals, so the selection is huge. I'm guessing you're not looking for any kind of woofer setup, so I won't bore you with that. Let me know if there is any other info I can share.



Mike

 

1994 was the first year of a "Factory" cd player. Jenson makes the factory stereo's for Ford. Factory stereo's in these years really are pretty pathetic. If you can find a factory CD player from 1994-1997, in the DIN size pretty cheap, then go with it. Otherwise as whitesloboy said, the aftermarket's are the best. I have a Alpine in my 93. Excellent sound with my component speaker system.


'93 F-150 loaded and modified!

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/toydestroyer1