'95 CD Changer with a '98 Head unit?

[Crash513]

I am buying out the lease on my '98 Explorer, and now that I am keeping it for a while, I want to do some mods. I have a factory Mach 290 system in the truck now, which I am happy with and would like to keep for now. I also have a Factory CD Changer that I snarfed from my old '95 Explorer when I traded it in on the '98. The head unit from the '95 was NOT a Mach system, but did come from the factory with the changer and has the shuttle controls for the changer.

According to my local car Stereo shop, the Mach head unit in my truck has the shuttle controls, and is compatible with the changer from the old truck. However, they also claim that the vendor (Clarion, I think?) changed the firmware in the changer, and that the controls might not work. They also told me I would need to get a new harness to plug the changer into the head unit.

Here are my questions:

1. Is there any way to upgrde the microcode in the old changer so it will work with the Mach head unit?

2. Is there a Ford P/N for the harness I need?

3. Is this even worth the effort, or should I ditch the whole Mach system and wait unitl I can afford a good aftermarket system with a matched changer?

Any ideas???

Thanks!

Crash

 

[sphaugh]

Try calling Crutchfield. Every time I've asked questions such as yours - they've been on top of things. They'll know what can be linked to your factory Mach system & very likely have a harness for the wiring if one is needed.

good luck

 

[Alec]

It should be able to be done. The factory changer from the 95 is I think the same changer they used in the 98. I've also heard of people adding aftermarket changers to the Ford head unit.

 

[Crash513]

Good advice...

Thanks for your advice guys. I don't know why I didn't think of calling Crutchfield, those guys are always good!

Regards,

 

[01EB5.0]

I used a headunit from a 98 expedition and hooked it up to the 95 changer I bought and it works great...T think ford's changers have all been same. good luck!

 

[Jim F]

You might check out this site:

Dead Link Removed

and see model numbers and harness info.

 

[sphaugh]

link for crutchfield

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[Brian97V8]

Check radiosandmore. I called them and they got me going with my 95 changer and 97 head unit