Help with install in 2004 explorer

minimagpro · 03-12-2005, 09:57 AM

I have a 2004 explorer xlt and im doing a cd deck install by myself

I have my cd player installed in my 1997 ford ranger so my first question is will my harness work in my explorer or will i have to get an entire new one?

ALso, how do you get the stock cd player out. there are 4 little holes that im guessing are screws but i dont want to mess anything up so can anyone help me out with this or direct me to another thread or another site that can help me?

falls guy · 03-12-2005, 10:55 AM

I don't know about the newer ones, but that sounds the same as my '91 deck. Mine looked the same . It was an original tape deck that didn't work so I forced it out to find a black spring steel barb style clip on either side of the unit. I think if I would have pushed in on these things one side at a time, it would have slid right out! It looks like you will have to push in on both top and bottom of each side . I'll bet all you can see of the clip, until you get it out, is about 1 eighth" on top and bottom of each side. After that it slides out on what looks like a drawer rail. Hopefully this helps you out. Let me know if it does. Good luck!! Oh yah, if this doesn't help, try the audio section of the forums. I'm sure someone can help you there.

falls guy · 03-12-2005, 11:00 AM

Oh. I see you are in Explorer audio, sorry man!LOL

minimagpro · 03-12-2005, 11:25 AM

ok well i got my cd player and harness out of the ranger but i dont know which wires to cut

i got the wiring adapter from best buy so if anyone can help me with that it would be great.

i still cant get the stock cd player out

what did you use to release the playerc cause mine is locked in tight

*ntrpriz* · 03-12-2005, 11:43 AM

There is a special tool to get the radio out. It is real cheap and you can ususally get one at just about any auto parts dealer or dealership. You slide the tools into the holes on the radio, press out on the tool, and pull, the radio comes right out. The same thing can be accomplished with a set of 4 mini screwdrivers.

I cant help with the wiring harness, Id need to see all the wires and the harness directions to figure that out.

minimagpro · 03-12-2005, 03:10 PM

well im gonna make this one easy and take it to best buy and let them do it

thanks for all of yalls help thought, i was able to get pretty far, i just got stuck with the wires

minimagpro · 03-12-2005, 04:34 PM

ok well bestbuy install was going to be 60$ and i prefer to do it myself so tomorrow im going to go to any autoparts store and get ford radio keys

then ill get my digi camera and take some pics of the wires and ill let you guys tell me where to cut/attach the wires

davesexplorer · 03-12-2005, 05:59 PM

walmart, well at least here has the metal radio removers as well. Look like metal "U"s.

You will probably end up going to an audio store anyways and getting a wiring harness specific to your 2004 and its options. And unless you have a ford cd player, you'll probably have to get a DIN head unit adaptor to fit the CD player cleanly in your new ex. I would be suprised, very suprised if the harness from the 97 ranger would work with the 2004 explorer.

*boominXplorer* · 03-12-2005, 06:07 PM

head unit keys wont work on a 04' You have to take the trim off and there are 4 8mm bolts holding it in in all 3rd gens

minimagpro · 03-12-2005, 10:29 PM

what do u mean by trim? like the sealing around the cd player?

but i know you need the radio keys because there are 4 little holes just like in my rangers

i dont know about the harness but tomorrow when its light outside i will take a look and see if the harness wires match up

ill be back on here tomorrow to let yall know what happeend

EricM · 03-13-2005, 07:21 AM

If it's a stock deck, it should look something like this:

There were no holes for the keys in mine or any other 3rd gen X I've seen. You have to pop off that trim piece that goes around the radio, vents and climate control knobs and then remove two 7mm screws at the bottom of the deck.

MonumentalX · 03-13-2005, 07:34 AM

Mine wouldn't take keys either. Removed trim with a putty knife and once in there the radio was easy to remove as Eric M said

minimagpro · 03-13-2005, 09:40 AM

well mine is the same as that put i have radio keys so this morning im going to run by walmart for the keys. Ill post pics when i get somewhere

davesexplorer · 03-13-2005, 07:56 PM

As soon as you said you needed radio keys I figured you either had a sport or a sport trac - I believe the newer models of those still utilized the 95+ style radio's.

White97Jimmy · 04-05-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricM

If it's a stock deck, it should look something like this:

There were no holes for the keys in mine or any other 3rd gen X I've seen. You have to pop off that trim piece that goes around the radio, vents and climate control knobs and then remove two 7mm screws at the bottom of the deck.

How does this trim piece pop off? I tried prying at it, but it doesn't seem to budge.

davidmmm69 · 04-05-2005, 04:37 PM

just pull it will pop right off, it will seem very tight. do it even all the way around though.

White97Jimmy · 04-07-2005, 05:19 PM

Anyone have a pic of this bezel off? I am having a hell of a time getting this thing off, it seems like it is about to break. I just want to see where/how this thing is connected to the dash.

davidmmm69 · 04-07-2005, 05:20 PM

i will take a pic tomorrow if nop one does yet,

White97Jimmy · 04-07-2005, 05:28 PM

Thanks a lot. All I want is to put my Pioneer HU in, and this thing is giving me so much trouble!

A1C_Snowman · 03-15-2006, 08:30 PM

I'm having the same problem White97. Its cold here and I'm affraid the plastic is going to break. I guess I'll have to try a putty knife.

03-12-2005, 09:57 AM	#1
minimagpro Wannabe Elite Explorer Jackson, Tennessee 04' XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Help with install in 2004 explorer I have a 2004 explorer xlt and im doing a cd deck install by myself I have my cd player installed in my 1997 ford ranger so my first question is will my harness work in my explorer or will i have to get an entire new one? ALso, how do you get the stock cd player out. there are 4 little holes that im guessing are screws but i dont want to mess anything up so can anyone help me out with this or direct me to another thread or another site that can help me?

03-12-2005, 11:43 AM	#5
ntrpriz Elite Explorer Gilbert, AZ 05 XLT Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 487 Vehicle Specs	There is a special tool to get the radio out. It is real cheap and you can ususally get one at just about any auto parts dealer or dealership. You slide the tools into the holes on the radio, press out on the tool, and pull, the radio comes right out. The same thing can be accomplished with a set of 4 mini screwdrivers. I cant help with the wiring harness, Id need to see all the wires and the harness directions to figure that out. __________________ 2007 Titanium FJ Cruiser PIAA Fog Lights Cobra 75WXST 4' Firestick w/ Bandi Mount BFG AT/KO KF7LEG (No rig yet)

03-12-2005, 05:59 PM	#8
davesexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Central PA 2001 F350 7.3 Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,808 Vehicle Specs	walmart, well at least here has the metal radio removers as well. Look like metal "U"s. You will probably end up going to an audio store anyways and getting a wiring harness specific to your 2004 and its options. And unless you have a ford cd player, you'll probably have to get a DIN head unit adaptor to fit the CD player cleanly in your new ex. I would be suprised, very suprised if the harness from the 97 ranger would work with the 2004 explorer. __________________ 2001 F350 Extended Cab Long Bed Lariat 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4 1999 Mustang GT 5spd vert

03-12-2005, 06:07 PM	#9
boominXplorer Elite Explorer Virginia Beach, Va 00 4x4 Mounty Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 6,029 Vehicle Specs	head unit keys wont work on a 04' You have to take the trim off and there are 4 8mm bolts holding it in in all 3rd gens __________________ 1998 Mountaineer 5.0 2wd - Mac intake, Ported intake, FMS headers, 3" Exhaust, E-fan, SCT tuned, Baumenn Shift Kit, MSD, 4.10 l/s, Lowered 3/2 on 18x9 Cobra r's, HID's 2002 F250 Crew Cab SB 7.3 Diesel 4x4 - 4" MBRP exhaust, AIH delete, SCT Livewire 2001 Ranger ext cab 4x4 - 5.0/4r70/4406 swap in progress (2) 97 Mountaineers for parts 98 Sport for Parts My eBay auctions

03-13-2005, 07:34 AM	#12
MonumentalX Wannabe Elite Explorer Grand Junction, Colorado 2003 XLT NBX Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 162 Vehicle Specs	Mine wouldn't take keys either. Removed trim with a putty knife and once in there the radio was easy to remove as Eric M said __________________ '05 Dodge Grand Caravan, I know but had to for work!

03-12-2005, 10:55 AM	#2
falls guy Wannabe Elite Explorer St. Catherines, ON '91 XLT Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 374 Vehicle Specs	I don't know about the newer ones, but that sounds the same as my '91 deck. Mine looked the same . It was an original tape deck that didn't work so I forced it out to find a black spring steel barb style clip on either side of the unit. I think if I would have pushed in on these things one side at a time, it would have slid right out! It looks like you will have to push in on both top and bottom of each side . I'll bet all you can see of the clip, until you get it out, is about 1 eighth" on top and bottom of each side. After that it slides out on what looks like a drawer rail. Hopefully this helps you out. Let me know if it does. Good luck!! Oh yah, if this doesn't help, try the audio section of the forums. I'm sure someone can help you there.

03-12-2005, 11:00 AM	#3
falls guy Wannabe Elite Explorer St. Catherines, ON '91 XLT Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 374 Vehicle Specs	Oh. I see you are in Explorer audio, sorry man!LOL

03-12-2005, 11:25 AM	#4
minimagpro Wannabe Elite Explorer Jackson, Tennessee 04' XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	ok well i got my cd player and harness out of the ranger but i dont know which wires to cut i got the wiring adapter from best buy so if anyone can help me with that it would be great. i still cant get the stock cd player out what did you use to release the playerc cause mine is locked in tight

03-12-2005, 03:10 PM	#6
minimagpro Wannabe Elite Explorer Jackson, Tennessee 04' XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	well im gonna make this one easy and take it to best buy and let them do it thanks for all of yalls help thought, i was able to get pretty far, i just got stuck with the wires

03-12-2005, 04:34 PM	#7
minimagpro Wannabe Elite Explorer Jackson, Tennessee 04' XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	ok well bestbuy install was going to be 60$ and i prefer to do it myself so tomorrow im going to go to any autoparts store and get ford radio keys then ill get my digi camera and take some pics of the wires and ill let you guys tell me where to cut/attach the wires

03-12-2005, 10:29 PM	#10
minimagpro Wannabe Elite Explorer Jackson, Tennessee 04' XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	what do u mean by trim? like the sealing around the cd player? but i know you need the radio keys because there are 4 little holes just like in my rangers i dont know about the harness but tomorrow when its light outside i will take a look and see if the harness wires match up ill be back on here tomorrow to let yall know what happeend

03-13-2005, 07:21 AM	#11
EricM Wannabe Elite Explorer Kansas City, MO '02 XLT Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 51 Vehicle Specs	If it's a stock deck, it should look something like this: There were no holes for the keys in mine or any other 3rd gen X I've seen. You have to pop off that trim piece that goes around the radio, vents and climate control knobs and then remove two 7mm screws at the bottom of the deck.

03-13-2005, 09:40 AM	#13
minimagpro Wannabe Elite Explorer Jackson, Tennessee 04' XLT 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 46 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	well mine is the same as that put i have radio keys so this morning im going to run by walmart for the keys. Ill post pics when i get somewhere

03-13-2005, 07:56 PM	#14
davesexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Central PA 2001 F350 7.3 Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,808 Vehicle Specs	As soon as you said you needed radio keys I figured you either had a sport or a sport trac - I believe the newer models of those still utilized the 95+ style radio's. __________________ 2001 F350 Extended Cab Long Bed Lariat 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4 1999 Mustang GT 5spd vert

04-05-2005, 04:37 PM	#16
davidmmm69 Wannabe Elite Explorer 1995 2wd 4dr explorer Fall River Ma... 2002 XLT Explorer 4WD Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,578 Vehicle Specs	just pull it will pop right off, it will seem very tight. do it even all the way around though. __________________ 1995 Explorer 2WD on 33"BFG Muds 7" lift... 2002 Explorer Sport 4X4 255/75/16

04-07-2005, 05:19 PM	#17
White97Jimmy Wannabe Elite Explorer Detroit, MI '06 Explorer Limited Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 337 Vehicle Specs	Anyone have a pic of this bezel off? I am having a hell of a time getting this thing off, it seems like it is about to break. I just want to see where/how this thing is connected to the dash.

04-07-2005, 05:20 PM	#18
davidmmm69 Wannabe Elite Explorer 1995 2wd 4dr explorer Fall River Ma... 2002 XLT Explorer 4WD Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,578 Vehicle Specs	i will take a pic tomorrow if nop one does yet, __________________ 1995 Explorer 2WD on 33"BFG Muds 7" lift... 2002 Explorer Sport 4X4 255/75/16

04-07-2005, 05:28 PM	#19
White97Jimmy Wannabe Elite Explorer Detroit, MI '06 Explorer Limited Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 337 Vehicle Specs	Thanks a lot. All I want is to put my Pioneer HU in, and this thing is giving me so much trouble!

03-15-2006, 08:30 PM	#20
A1C_Snowman Wannabe Elite Explorer Elmendorf AFB, AK 2002 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 152 Vehicle Specs	I'm having the same problem White97. Its cold here and I'm affraid the plastic is going to break. I guess I'll have to try a putty knife.