My 96 extended currently has the stock radio, with aftermarket Pioneer 12 CD remote player. CD player has never been dependable, except to display its error codes! I'd like to replace it. Any suggestions? Do they make aftermarket in dash radio/CD players that fit, or is it best have another remote installed? I think the last one cost about $250. Thanks, all.

 

I also have a Pioneer 12 disk CD remote player, it has worked good for many years now. Have you had the unit looked in to? It may less money to fix tham replace. If you replace it, a in dash CD will fit, best to have it put in by a good installer. I use a Pioneer in my Galaixe and my Aerostar and Sonys in my Bronco and truck. I have had good luck with all.

 

I would stay away from Sony. Every Sony I have owned has bit the big one right after the warranty expired.

I ran a Clarian In Dash CD player for 10 years with no issues at all. Worked great, even with MP3's.

I picked up one of those cheap CD player Head Units from wal-mart, Durabrand I think, for $30, lasted only about 6 months before the CD motor went out.

Currently I am running a Pioneer head unit (for about a year), 45x4 max watt, doesn't skip, plenty of power. Spent $100 at wall-mart and another $7 for the Ford pig tail. Instillation is pretty straight forward. I soldered the pigtail to the CD player before instilation (but you can use solderless butt conectors if you want, but I do not recomend due to vehicle rattle.) Plug and play. The Aerostar has a DIN size hole so about 95% of the CD players out there will fit easily without any mondification.

If you play a lot of Rip'd CD's, I would take one into the store and play it to make sure the unit you are looking at will play it correctly without errors before buying.

You might want to check out www.crutchfield.com for in dash players. They have good prices and come with free instructions, wiring, and phone support.

 

I'd have to agree that Sony products are horrible I'm constantly fixing their ps2s which oddly enough break right after the 3 month warranty expires .

It earns some extra money for me but the repairs range from $50 - $70 for laser (OPU) replacment. The early generation Sony PSX or PSOnes had a problem with the motor burning out.

I see that Sony still manufactures cheap lasers and motors probably in all of their CD / DVD products.

My Sony on my Aero died in 3 1/2 months right after warranty I was so happy the CD player wouldn't read I cracked it open and checked the laser the coating on the diode lens wires was fried right off which basically meant the laser was toast.

I purchased a Pioneer and I am very happy its lasted for 3 years with no problems.

 

'' Have you had the unit looked in to? "

--I have, couple of times. Error codes like "no magazine" and others come up. Even though the magazis loaded, properly seated in the unit, etc. Oh well.

 

I installed a JVC head unit in my wife's Exploder. It plays MP3s too. It's really nice being able to burn your own CD with 6 hours of MP3s
I did some research before I bought it and JVC got good "bang for the buck" ratings. It really does work well.

 

All you need is a coat hanger, the new radio you want to install, and I highly reccommend the Adapter Kit sold at most walmarts for around $9. I used the coat hanger instead of buying the ford stereo removal tool. Just cut it into 2 9 inch sections, bend into a U-shape, insert into the 4 holes just slightly, spread the tools apart at the same time you pull out to you and the radio pops right out. once you've done it once it's easy. Unplug it from your factory harness and your done with removal.
This is where the adapter kit comes in. I used to do it the old way of cutting the factory plug off, identifying my cars wires by trial and error, volt/ohm meter, and once in a while a diagram if I could get it. Now I wire up the new aftermarket radio to the factory adaptor plug, usually on the kitchen table in about 5 minutes. All the wires are marked for dummies just in case your not electronic. Then go out and stick it into your ford's plug....viola it works...no fuss. It's quick, simple, and if you ever sell your rig pop your nice radio out and pop the ford's back in in under 5 minutes. I've put in a lot of radios, and as long as the factory harness is complete on the car, i tell friends to buy the plug at walmart. It's much better than hacking and straight wiring. Not counting moving my adapter from one aftermarket radio to the new one (about 10 minutes at the table) I can swap head units in the Aero in under 10 minutes if the cd player dies.

One thing I wonder though. I hear of a lot people say that with an aftermarket radio the rear controls are or should be bypassed. I read one post where the owner ran new speaker wires. why??? Not true in Mine...although I cannot change tracks and channels from the rear. The headphone jacks still work. I can turn the rear speakers on and off with the button in the rear still. I frequently plug a set of headphones in it, turn off the rear speakers and listen to cd's while traveling. The kid is watching a movie or playing ps2 so I hear music just myself while driving.

Dave
93 beach assault vehicle XLT (with mods) 4.0 2wd
Alpine CDE-7870 Cd Player
Alpine MRP-T130 Amp (mounted in back, drivers side)
1 Rockford 12 inch sub (all the way in back)
Sub power remote on wired through an illuminated switch installed on the dash because my wife doesn't want to "bump" all the time.

 

Be careful when have headphones on while driving. The cops can give you a ticket for that. I was pull over in Washington for that reason. I have wondered why the truck can wear an ear protection headphones-type and I cann't use the headphones for music when driving?
Fordboy49

 

I just ordered a Cd player and Sirius Satellite Radio for my van from Crutchfield. I have Sirius in my Focus and it's GREAT. If you don't have it, check it out and buy it! Well worth the money per month for NO commercials and tons of programming choices. Buy it and you won't be disappointed.