'00 Mounty CD/tape with RDS, need info/help

[Jbrobeck]

Alright, I have spent the last hour searching the differences behind all these Ford stereo's and only became more confused.

What I know as of right now:

I have a 2000 mountaineer with the CD/Tape player with RDS and a factory sub.

This is the stereo with the infamous Display problem (mine works fine as of right now)

I do not have a cd changer, but have the plug/ controls if I desire to install one

I have steering wheel controls and rear console controls


What I am trying to accomplish:

I LOVE THE LOOK of the factory Head Unit, and the functionality of the steering wheel and Rear console controls, and DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE THEM.

However, I would like to improve the sound quality and add a little more bass, I would like to do this by replacing the factory speakers and sub, and drive them with 2 new amps (one 4 channel and one Mono) but..... I know that if the stock head unit has an internal amp with a distortion as high as whats been stated (~10%) I don't dare try to add an aftermarket amp on as it will sound like crap!

<<<<<<EDITED>>>>>>

What I need to know:

This is the info I got from the Sticky:
Audiophile Systems are rated at 145 Watts RMS @ 2% THD (4X15W from the head unit or remote Parametric Amp; 1X85W from the SW Amp) Audiophile Systems have an Advertised Peak Power rating of 290 Watts

Now this is showing 2% THD from the head unit to the 4 speakers without running through an external amp, I should be able to hook this up to a 4 channel amp with good results shouldn't I?
And, I should be able to just remove the factory amp/sub and replace them with an aftermarket setup correct? (wiring aside)

Thanks in advance for the help.

Josh

 

[justin146]

Your best bet would be replacing the stock speakers with the most efficient speakers you can find. It is pretty easy to add an amp to the stock sub... you wont hear any distortion. I have done this in my old Eddie Bauer and my current Explorer. What you do is get a line converter and run the inputs of it in series connected to the output of the stock sub amp.

If you wanted to replace your head unit, you can get an adapter from Crutchfield that will allow you to use the steering wheel controls. I am not sure if the rear audio controls will still work though.

 

[Jbrobeck]

I guess my biggest problem with the factory system is that I have too little control over the sound. It tends to sound a bit to muddy to me, If I turn the bass down to make the door speakers sound like I want them to, then I loose the thump of the sub. I am one of those people who likes a lot of trebble and a fair amount of bass (depending on music)with a very conservative midrange, and I am not able to achieve that with this factory system. I think I may go ahead and just upgrade the sub/amp first with and see If I can tune it that way, perhaps keeping the bass on the radio at about a mid level, and run the aftermarket sub/amp a little higher on the gain but with the crossover set fairly low, thus defeating some of the mid range.

Does this make sense to anyone else or am I just crazy?

Later

Josh

 

[CDW6212R]

Hello Josh, I had last year gone through the thoughts you are having, and my display went out. I spoke with a repair tech who advertises on Ebay.

As explained to me, the Explorer Mach radios all had the display problem, plus they make it harder to add amplifiers. He told me that the Premium version doesn't have the display problems(different manufacturer), and easily takes extra amps.

You should consider eliminating the display problem by changing the HU, the place I spoke with would have traded mine for the other, waranteed for $160. After some AC work, my display has come back on. Later I will be adding amps, as well as changing the HU, and speakers. Good luck,

 

[Jbrobeck]

Ok, what is the "Premium radio" ?? Is that the one with the Pioneer logo on it? Or do I just look for the CD/Tape headunit that does not support the factory subwoofer?

A couple of the reasons I wanted to stick with this head unit is that I like the steering wheel controls, and rear controls, and I like the look Factory head units (they just match the vehicle so much better)

That said, if this Premium radio will still allow the use of the steering wheel controls, It would seem that it is the way to go.

Thanks again.

Josh

 

[CDW6212R]

Josh, I have all of the steering wheel controls, EATC, etc. also. I am keeping a factory HU if possible because of that, and the larger buttons.

I am not sure which models specifically the Premium HU came in, but it does have the RDS button, and will control the CD changer and subwoofer. I believe any good large radio repair shop will know the differences. I haven't started to look for one myself yet.

I will likely look for a best deal, and swap my Mach unit for one that has gone through a repair shop. I have a local radio shop that is fairly high, supposed to be good, and may be my best option to try to match a best price.

Let me know if you pin down the exact models, etc. that the Premium came in. A later unit would be better to start with, for its younger age. That's why I'm leaning towards a waranteed unit. The age issue will make buying one from a 95-01 vehicle less reliable. Regards,