I started a new job a month ago after being out of work for so long and finally have some money to throw around, so I spent the last couple of weeks taking on a few projects that I've been putting off.
I decided I wanted the stock look back to my dashboard and got myself a factory CD head unit out of a Windstar. The head unit that was in it previously was a Pioneer that the previous owner put in probably in 2008 or later. There was a lot I didn't like about that thing, but the last straw was when my new phone wouldn't connect to it after pairing, that and the mounting cradle prevented me from getting the dash apart because of all the tabs bent out to hold it in place. Thankfully the previous owner didn't permanently modify any of the harness, but I found out upon installing it that the Amplifier had been bypassed because all I heard out of the speakers was low level audio that was distorting and clipping like crazy.
View attachment 342121
I figured since I have to remove the rear section of the interior that I would finally address my leaking rear quarter window as well.
View attachment 342122
View attachment 342123
It looks like I'll be having this apart again soon, I have some bad rust spots to take care of.
View attachment 342124
...and this is when I found out that the amp was not only bypassed, but removed entirely, forcing me to make yet another trip to the only salvage yard that still has 1st gen Explorers.
View attachment 342125
1 week later (My Tuesdays off are the only time I can make it to these salvage yards)
Amp's put in and it works great! Oh, and the window doesn't leak anymore. Mission accomplished.
View attachment 342126
It's so nice to have a gentle green (or slightly blue in this case, I don't mind) glow that matches the rest of the dashboard, and I missed the ease of use that comes with these radios. That and I believe it'll hold accurate time after a month and not gradually speed up like the Pioneer did, man I hated that.
View attachment 342127
View attachment 342128
Oh, and the third thing I did was replace the overhead console I put in two years ago with another one. The last one had to be either cycled through the modes or tapped to get it to work nearly every time I started it up, and a few weeks ago it finally died for good and wouldn't power up at all. Got this one out of a 97 Eddie Bauer Explorer, which worked out perfectly because it glows blue and matches the display on the radio.
View attachment 342129
Still got plenty more planned, including wiring up a 2nd gen rear door lock switch (I may do a tutorial on this) and replacing the headliner and cargo carpet.