3rd gen Upgrade

Melon · 12-17-2008, 05:07 PM

I'd like to upgrade the stereo in my 04. I like the 6disc changer, but I'd rather have an in dash MP3 player even if it's just a single disc.

I know an upgrade to aftermarket is easy - what I'd like to try and keep are the steering wheel controls. Is there any way to go aftermarket and keep those controls? And is there a factory MP3 deck that will fit the 04 Explorer?

Thanks
-Melon

*jad2411* · 12-17-2008, 06:23 PM

I have a 6 disk in dash cd changer that plays mp3's, it is from a 2006+ explorer, altho' some people have told me that it comes in the aviators as well, hit ebay, it uses the grey plugs

Melon · 12-17-2008, 08:05 PM

Steering wheel controls still work?

-Melon

*jad2411* · 12-18-2008, 02:22 AM

I don't have those, but it has 3 plugs, I think it should, I'll try to get the PN

*Joe Dirt* · 12-18-2008, 08:34 AM

I've been able to play burned mp3's in all of my newer Ford radios, from like 1996+ have you tried playing them in there?

*jad2411* · 12-18-2008, 11:07 AM

My 97 doesn't play MP3's, it doesn't even like all of the burned cd's, it'll play some and on the others say "Cd error" or something like that

jrford · 12-18-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jad2411

My 97 doesn't play MP3's, it doesn't even like all of the burned cd's, it'll play some and on the others say "Cd error" or something like that

Been here before with my '98 CD changer for the jeep. When the radio came out they only sold 74min/650mb CD's which is what the standard for Audio (Red / Orange Book something). 74min is what your CD player is calibrated for not the 80min/700mb CD-R's, these later became 'Data' CD-R's. New Radio's play them find but the old ones don't. Another factor is the dye used in the CD-R's, the type of backing also plays a part. If you can find 74min try those. . . they should work.

But what's really odd is that no one makes 74min anymore and when you think about it 50mb is not a big deal you only get 2 extra songs, plus it dosn't conform to the original standard. Everyone's solution is to buy a new radio or you get blasted by wanting 74min cd's . . . hummm

jrford · 12-18-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melon

I'd like to upgrade the stereo in my 04. I like the 6disc changer, but I'd rather have an in dash MP3 player even if it's just a single disc.

I know an upgrade to aftermarket is easy - what I'd like to try and keep are the steering wheel controls. Is there any way to go aftermarket and keep those controls? And is there a factory MP3 deck that will fit the 04 Explorer?

Thanks
-Melon

Sorry OP, cd-r's off topic. I have an '04 too, just upgraded from base to Audiophile. In '04 there are two types of plugs Old World (black) and Phase II (Grey). In '04 base units got the old stype while the grey plugs are used with the Audiophile (Sub Woofer) in '04 and newer. In my '04 i had black the older style plug. To upgrade to CD6 i had to find an '03 radio. If i had the Grey plugs they should work with '05 and up.

Start by finding out what color plugs and go from there.

For steering there is after market HU adapters to enable those controls.

12-17-2008, 05:07 PM	#1
Melon Wannabe Elite Explorer Blair, NE 02 XLT Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 159 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	3rd gen Upgrade I'd like to upgrade the stereo in my 04. I like the 6disc changer, but I'd rather have an in dash MP3 player even if it's just a single disc. I know an upgrade to aftermarket is easy - what I'd like to try and keep are the steering wheel controls. Is there any way to go aftermarket and keep those controls? And is there a factory MP3 deck that will fit the 04 Explorer? Thanks -Melon __________________ 1994 Thunderbird 4.6L V8 2002 Explorer 4.0L V6 2003 F150 5.4L V8

12-17-2008, 06:23 PM	#2
jad2411 I'm a jackass! El Paso, TX blue 02 xlt & white 02xls Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,141 Vehicle Specs	I have a 6 disk in dash cd changer that plays mp3's, it is from a 2006+ explorer, altho' some people have told me that it comes in the aviators as well, hit ebay, it uses the grey plugs __________________ If interior is to exterior and include is to exclude, then increment is to:

12-17-2008, 08:05 PM	#3
Melon Wannabe Elite Explorer Blair, NE 02 XLT Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 159 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Steering wheel controls still work? -Melon __________________ 1994 Thunderbird 4.6L V8 2002 Explorer 4.0L V6 2003 F150 5.4L V8

12-18-2008, 02:22 AM	#4
jad2411 I'm a jackass! El Paso, TX blue 02 xlt & white 02xls Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,141 Vehicle Specs	I don't have those, but it has 3 plugs, I think it should, I'll try to get the PN __________________ If interior is to exterior and include is to exclude, then increment is to:

12-18-2008, 11:07 AM	#6
jad2411 I'm a jackass! El Paso, TX blue 02 xlt & white 02xls Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,141 Vehicle Specs	My 97 doesn't play MP3's, it doesn't even like all of the burned cd's, it'll play some and on the others say "Cd error" or something like that __________________ If interior is to exterior and include is to exclude, then increment is to: