Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

swapping radios

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 29, 2010 | 06:31 PM
  #1  
gawno1's Avatar
gawno1
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Il
swapping radios

Is it possible to swap the radio out of a 1999 Ford Explorer and put it in my 2003 Licoln Aviator? Both radios are set up to work with the steering wheel controls.
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2010 | 08:53 PM
  #2  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Does your Aviator have the THX system? If so, there will likely be extra speakers and amplifiers in the Aviator that the Explorer radio won't interface with. There were a few "levels" of audio system available in the Explorer, I suspect the Aviators all had higher level audio systems.

-Rod
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2010 | 09:13 PM
  #3  
gawno1's Avatar
gawno1
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Il
The Explorer is a Eddie Bauer edition, so I'm thinking it is more than likely the top stereo. I don't know what thx is.
 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2010 | 06:49 AM
  #4  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
THX is the LucasFilm branded sound processing. Lincolns are about the only vehicles that have THX-certified audio as an option from the factory and appear to include extra speakers that the lower level audio systems do not. If your Aviator had it, there'd likely be a splash screen stating so every time you turned the head unit on.

Even with the Explorer being an Eddie Bauer, it's not safe to assume that it's the top level unit or that it would be a drop-in with the 2003. In the high end system in 1999 the CD changer would have been in the center console. A 2003 with CD changer would be an in-dash unit.

I suppose you could always pull both units and see if the connectors match up. If I get some time this weekend I'll check the wiring diagrams for the 2000 and 2002 model years to see if there is commonality between those years. I don't have the service manuals for 1999 or 2003, but 2000 and 2002 should be pretty similar.

-Rod
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:34 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE