Replace factory radio with Factory upgrade

indyjoe · 09-09-2005, 10:48 PM

Have 1994 XLS. Came with Standard CD radio. Wifes SUV. Want to upgrade to a better factory radio with 6 CD in-dash.

Lots of them on Ebay. How do I know which ones will fit. Any help would be appreciated.

budwich · 09-10-2005, 11:05 AM

There is a link at the top of this forum to some stuff. I found it a little confusing but that's probably more a "Ford problem" than the info. Anyways, for my 96, I ended up looking at the connectors at the back on the existing unit and then matching those with pictures of units on ebay as most people show back connectors. I ended up with a 98 series cd player and it worked fine... just unplug and plug. There are also some conversion connectors available in the after market that might help but then the complexity could be a little more effort to overcome. In general, I suspect that you are probably SOL on an "easy swap" because of the year as Ford "rapidly" changed things in the mid 90's.

indyjoe · 09-10-2005, 12:40 PM

You might be right. My 04 was built in July 04 and put in service in September. Had to be one of the last ones off the line.

The thing I am confused about is that my radio does not have the 4 holes everyone is talking about. Are they hidden behind the trim?

budwich · 09-10-2005, 02:50 PM

I don't believe the holes are there.... on "non holes" units that I have seen (ebay / posts), there are bolts at the bottom behind the trim.... I think. The thing is whether you have an ext amp (don't know), and whether you have a "wide" face plate (1.5 din???) as most current units are big. Again see if you can get the unit out to look at the model and back connectors and then things will quickly become clear as to how difficult a change out might be or whether you are looking at seeking professional install. I think I went to this site .... http://www.installdr.com which helped a bit but was still confusing about the connector types / wiring designations.... of course there are probably others. Good luck.

*cobrajeff* · 09-12-2005, 09:19 AM

Your 1994 XLS, if equipped from the factory with a CD radio, would DEFINATELY have an external amp (in RR Qtr trim panel area). 1994 was the last year for "DIN" radios in Explorer; 1995 went to "large bezel", which are actually 1.5 DIN.
There are no Ford CDX6 type radios made in a "DIN" package size; all of the CDX6 model radios have a 91mm high chassis, and will NOT fit in a 1994 model Explorer. They can be fit into 1995 and newer models with some cutting of the dash.

The only was to get multiple CD playback capability with the Ford DIN radios was to add a 10CD changer witha DIN Premium Cassette radio. The changer will fit in the console - I added one to my 1992 Explorer years ago.

regards,

Jeff

09-09-2005, 10:48 PM	#1
indyjoe Wannabe Elite Explorer Indy 94 xls Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Replace factory radio with Factory upgrade Have 1994 XLS. Came with Standard CD radio. Wifes SUV. Want to upgrade to a better factory radio with 6 CD in-dash. Lots of them on Ebay. How do I know which ones will fit. Any help would be appreciated.

09-10-2005, 11:05 AM	#2
budwich Wannabe Elite Explorer Ottawa, Ont 96 XL Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,246 Vehicle Specs	There is a link at the top of this forum to some stuff. I found it a little confusing but that's probably more a "Ford problem" than the info. Anyways, for my 96, I ended up looking at the connectors at the back on the existing unit and then matching those with pictures of units on ebay as most people show back connectors. I ended up with a 98 series cd player and it worked fine... just unplug and plug. There are also some conversion connectors available in the after market that might help but then the complexity could be a little more effort to overcome. In general, I suspect that you are probably SOL on an "easy swap" because of the year as Ford "rapidly" changed things in the mid 90's.

09-10-2005, 12:40 PM	#3
indyjoe Wannabe Elite Explorer Indy 94 xls Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	You might be right. My 04 was built in July 04 and put in service in September. Had to be one of the last ones off the line. The thing I am confused about is that my radio does not have the 4 holes everyone is talking about. Are they hidden behind the trim?

09-10-2005, 02:50 PM	#4
budwich Wannabe Elite Explorer Ottawa, Ont 96 XL Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 3,246 Vehicle Specs	I don't believe the holes are there.... on "non holes" units that I have seen (ebay / posts), there are bolts at the bottom behind the trim.... I think. The thing is whether you have an ext amp (don't know), and whether you have a "wide" face plate (1.5 din???) as most current units are big. Again see if you can get the unit out to look at the model and back connectors and then things will quickly become clear as to how difficult a change out might be or whether you are looking at seeking professional install. I think I went to this site .... http://www.installdr.com which helped a bit but was still confusing about the connector types / wiring designations.... of course there are probably others. Good luck.

09-12-2005, 09:19 AM	#5
cobrajeff Elite Explorer White Lake, MI 2000 Mountaineer Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 257 Vehicle Specs	Your 1994 XLS, if equipped from the factory with a CD radio, would DEFINATELY have an external amp (in RR Qtr trim panel area). 1994 was the last year for "DIN" radios in Explorer; 1995 went to "large bezel", which are actually 1.5 DIN. There are no Ford CDX6 type radios made in a "DIN" package size; all of the CDX6 model radios have a 91mm high chassis, and will NOT fit in a 1994 model Explorer. They can be fit into 1995 and newer models with some cutting of the dash. The only was to get multiple CD playback capability with the Ford DIN radios was to add a 10CD changer witha DIN Premium Cassette radio. The changer will fit in the console - I added one to my 1992 Explorer years ago. regards, Jeff