Factory CD changer install to 97 Explorer.
 

I was in the auto wrecker today getting a radiator for my 1997 Explorer XLT. I found a factory CD changer in the console, so I removed it. My Explorer has the factory deck with the "CD" button, so I figured it should work. When I got home I removed the cup holder and the wire connector was not there. Do I need to go back to get the wiring harness, or is it buried somewhere I can't see?

Ok, I was back at the wrecker today (I grabbed the wrong radiator yesterday) and checked out the wiring harness in the 96 Limited I pulled the disc changer from. It looks very proprietary, and quite a mess of wires. There was even a 10Base-T cable that was in the console, and it was factory! Don't know what it is for that's for sure.

Anyway, do I have to replace my whole radio harness to one with a disc changer? I've heard of people putting the cd player in the back area, where do you get a cable that long, and does it fit the factory deck? The back of my deck does not have any empty plugs.

I use this machine as my snow plow so I'm not in a rush to do this, but would like to do it properly without spending a small fortune on it.

FWIW, I would not install a used factory MULTIPLE CD player. All brands are trouble prone. A single with an mp3 jack would be "better", as good as the multiples would seem to be. jmo, good luck with it.

If you don't get an answer here, search out here:

Stock 1995 - 2001 Explorers - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

There is a large 66-terminal connector located in the instrument panel that the CD changer audio wiring will connect to. From that 66-terminal connector, a few wires will go to the back of the radio to connector C256 which is a 16-terminal connector. There are other wires within C256, not just CD player wires, so the connector may be already installed. It looks like you'll need to pigtail from the 66-terminal connector all the way to the changer (as well as a few other devices) if you don't have he changer wires. You may also need to populate fuse 29 in the Interior Fuse Panel.

There was an option in the 1997 Explorer for a factory installed cellular phone. The 10BaseT cable is likely for that.

-Rod