I have a 98 Expy EB with the Mach audio system. The CD changer crapped today. Ford wants $650.00 for a new replacement or I could send it off for repair (which I assume would cost 100-200 at least). Crutchfield indicates that they have several which will connect directly to the factory Mach system. One is an Alpine #CHMS630 and the other is a Kenwood # KDCC667. The Alpine is $285 and the Kenwood is $259. Crutchfield claims that all I have to do is run a new cable (included) from the changer to the radio (can't use the current cable) and the thing will interface correctly.

Anyone have any experience with either of these in their Expy?

I sure hate to invest $650 in another Clarion and I'm suspicious about getting this one repaired. My dealings with Crutchfield in the past have been good...they seem to know what they're doing.

 

Try E-Bay they have allot that people take out.

 

 

I ended up getting a Kenwood unit from Crutchfield. I ordered it at 4:30pm EDT on Thursday and it arrived where I work at 11:55am EDT on Friday...not bad. Had it shipped next-day air. It's a 10-disk changer...and get this...you actually have MORE room in the console than with the 6-disk factory unit.

The tech I talked with at Crutchfield said they had a 6-disk changer, USA Spec brand which would mate up with the factory cable. He said that they had heard lots of complaints that it was finiky about CD-R's and would not play CD-R/W's. I had found my factory unit to be finiky about CD-R's I had burned, especially if they were burned at higher than 8x.

The Kenwood unit will play CD-R's and CD-R/W's. It turned out to be cheaper than the USA Spec unit.

Installation was easy. The most difficult part of the installation was figuring out how to take the console apart. To use the Kenwood changer, you have to connect it to the factory stereo with a special cable that Crutchfield sells.

Crutchfield also sells an Alpine unit that will work with the Mach system, provided that you use an adapter cable.

Here's the part numbers and prices, in case anyone is interested in replacing their factory changer.



113KDCC717 Kenwood KDC-C717 10-disc CD Cha 1 0 199.99
469FRDFKNW P.I.E. FRDF/PC-KNW Ford-to-Kenwo 1 0 79.99
113KCAM112 Kenwood KCA-M112 10-disc CD Maga 1 0 29.99
150DINTOOL Universal OEM DIN Tool Pair for 1 0 0.00
0000190119 FORD/LINC EXPEDI/NAVIG 97- MS 1 0 0.00
000CAR4 Crutchfield Guide:Car Stereo Ins 1 0 0.00


Sub Total: 309.97
Shipping: 10.99
Additional Shipping: 15.00
Total: 335.96

That's a heck of alot cheaper than $650.00 for a factory replacement unit...plus it's a much better unit.