2006 + ford radio in 1999 explorer mach?

[k12k08]

Would be possible to install a 2006+ ford radio in my 1999 explorer limited with a mach radio? I know I have resign the wiring harness to fit properly. Would it fit?

 

[k12k08]

Well my explorer has a sub woofer, does it apply to the same concept on these forums? Should I look for a newer radio that plays mp3s and has a aux input also mach option so I plug my sub woofer in ?


http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/757573-stereo-upgrade-ford-cd6-w-mp3.html

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=161152

 

[colintrax]

just get an aftermarket radio. They should sound better, and will probably look better.

 

[mic98xlt]

A lot of people on here will tell you to go aftermarket, however if you like an challenge it can be done reasonably. I'm in the process of putting an '07 Lincoln MKX 6cd player onto my '98 Explorer. Presently I have a installed working '05 Lincoln Aviator radio which has the "Sat" button in my '98. I have "XM direct" on it and the biggest change or challenge was making the wiring harness to adopt to the newer "Phase 2" gray plugs on the back of the '05 radio. My '98 Explorer has the black factory "World plugs" that the adapter (reverse harness) mates with the newer "phase 2" connections on the back of the radio. I had to dremel the original radio bezel opening (just like for an double din) to fit the '05 radio but it fits excellent.
The 06+ Ford radio's appear to be physically bigger in height than the earlier radio's and to take up more space behind the dash. The radio connections on the rear are gray (Phase 2) which is the same as the '05 I already have. The antenna connection is different and requires a adapter to fit the standard RCA type antenna found in the earlier Ford radios but it's readily available. I'm tried the '07 real quick the other day and it will fit in the dash with a tight fit but the radio bezel itself will require a lot of special modification to fit. I'm adventurist and going to try fitting this '07 radio which I got for a steal. Most of the newer '06+ radios (without Sync) have an extra sub woofer output connector similar to the extra output on the mach radios. If you have more questions feel free to ask. By the way the top link you posted is exactly on the money and one of the best radio conversion post I seen for the newer 6cd radios.

 

[k12k08]

Well it would be alot of work for a 2006 radio. Here is my radio:
F87F 18C868 AE

I Just want a newer radio that has aux and will work with my subwoofer and amp.

 

[mic98xlt]

OK I now understand your needs. Here is a link for an 6cd swap into a Mercury Marauder.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55866&highlight=trucks
This radio is from a Ford escape and will definitely fit with a little effort.This radio has the gray "phase 2" Plugs and sub woofer output like yours requires and would require the reverse harness adapter to fit the black "World plug" connectors on your Explorer. The radio bezel may minor fine tuning but it will fit with just a little effort. Once again the radio is out of a 2005-2006 Ford Escape and is model number
"6L8T-18c815-FD or FC". Please read the tread and it has a lot of info including how to hook up an auxiliary to this radio and the radio also has the "Sat" feature. Many people such as those on this Marauder website didn't want to lose the factory look of their vehicles but wanted to upgrade their older Ford radio to the newer type 6cd radio with more features. Good luck and feel free to ask if you have more questions.

 

[rhauf]

Well it would be alot of work for a 2006 radio. Here is my radio:
F87F 18C868 AE

I Just want a newer radio that has aux and will work with my subwoofer and amp.

a $70 aftermarket radio will give you those features.. along with MP3 playback and other stuff.. very easy to install too, no figuring out a bunch of crap.

well i'm lazy so that's what i'd do (rather than spend the whole entire day, or maybe two days, getting it to work correctly and fit etc)

 

[k12k08]

I hate the look and the feel of the aftermarket radios and I dont want to loose steering wheel controls ( without spending alot of $ on the harness) and have a reason for people to break in my car and look for valuables.

 

[k12k08]

OK I now understand your needs. Here is a link for an 6cd swap into a Mercury Marauder.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55866&highlight=trucks
This radio is from a Ford escape and will definitely fit with a little effort.This radio has the gray "phase 2" Plugs and sub woofer output like yours requires and would require the reverse harness adapter to fit the black "World plug" connectors on your Explorer. The radio bezel may minor fine tuning but it will fit with just a little effort. Once again the radio is out of a 2005-2006 Ford Escape and is model number
"6L8T-18c815-FD or FC". Please read the tread and it has a lot of info including how to hook up an auxiliary to this radio and the radio also has the "Sat" feature. Many people such as those on this Marauder website didn't want to lose the factory look of their vehicles but wanted to upgrade their older Ford radio to the newer type 6cd radio with more features. Good luck and feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Thank you so very much! I really appreciate it.

 

[rhauf]

I hate the look and the feel of the aftermarket radios and I dont want to loose steering wheel controls ( without spending alot of $ on the harness) and have a reason for people to break in my car and look for valuables.

Well those are all valid points. should be an interesting install then

 

[k12k08]

I just bought a 6L8T-18c815-FD audiophile for 40 dollars, fully working as stated but it is in some what bad condition, it is missing the volume/power button. Would my radio from my 99 explorer fit in it ? Also is it possible to replace the bezel and the buttons of it? I am having a hard time finding that pre made cable, do you what exactly I should look for?

 

[mic98xlt]

There a lot of similar radio's that share the newer front faceplate and knobs as yours. You can't just swap the faceplate from your earlier radio. The knob may fit but not the faceplate and buttons are different. Ebay has a lot of Ford radios for parts if you really need to change the faceplate. The faceplate and buttons are easily changeable by removal of a couple of screws and a ribbon cable inside. The reverse harness can be custom made by you or you can buy them sometimes on Ebay. If you want I can list the reverse harness wiring setup I have for my Explorer if it will help you. I retained the rear controls and the steering wheel controls also work. Nice find on the radio!

 

[k12k08]

ya that would be extremely helpful, should I just buy a world class harness and a phase 2 harness to make one, I rather not rip up my own.

 

[Steeda90GT]

just get an aftermarket radio. They should sound better, and will probably look better.

+1

They look better, sound better, will have many more features, and not to mention will be brand NEW...unlike the used Ford junk that doesn't last.

 

[mic98xlt]

I agree "K" it's best not to cut up your factory harness if you can avoid it. To make the adapter you will need this set of world plugs radio harness Metra 70-5700 that plugs into the Explorer original factory harness. On the other end which physically plugs into the back of the radio is a reverse harness for an 2007 Ford radio is Metra 71-5520-1. Of course the wiring between the two adapters are then wired appropriately together which makes for the mating of the "World Plugs to Phase 2 plugs". If I recall correctly they are matched basically color for color on each plug but the pins arrangements are in different locations on each plug. I know it sounds a little intimidating but it can be done reasonably easy.
I found a website that makes the first main plug for the adapter assembled plus wired together if you want to go that route. It's "Replacementradios.com" item "Fwa-wpp2" and the price is about $40.00. The other two remaining plugs would still have to be wired up for an complete setup. I still need to take my present adapter apart to confirm the exact wiring but the part numbers I gave you should be an great start.
I personally like the factory Ford radios and enjoy the challenge of making them work in older vehicles that they never were designed for. I enjoy proving those who say it can't be done for an cheap price and without tearing your hair out, wrong. Silly me.

 

[k12k08]

Thank you so much again you have been such a great help, ya I saw that cable and saw the subwoofer plug is not working with that harness, so I have been looking for others to confirm it can be done with the sub-woofer. But it is possible right?

 

[k12k08]

Would this work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-2007-Ford-...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35957b67c9

 

[mic98xlt]

Would this work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2004-2007-Ford-...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35957b67c9

"K" that's for the latter Ford's (2004 up) harness to an aftermarket sub woofer so that won't work. The Metra one's I mentioned before will mate right up and the sub woofer connector's included in the packages. My sub woofer does work and it's wired using the adapters. It only takes 3 or 4 wires in the sub woofer harness to be connected.

 

[k12k08]

Sweet thank you going to buy them now then.

 

[k12k08]

Never mind I found some that actually say:
Metra 71-5520-1

I will keep you updated when I get it and install it. Hopefully I can find a volume knob though, I am really stressing on that.