Best radio replacement

[redheck2017]

Hey all, I have a 2007 Explorer and I am looking for the best fit double din aftermarket radio replacement. Looking for an exact fit. I don't want any trimming. I would also need the interface so I can use my steering controls. and I do have the rear sub. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DiGiornoRisingCrust]

Go to Crutchfield.com and enter your car, they’ll supply you with wiring harnesses and dash kits for the Ex and will even wire it up for you for $25. (I recommend this)

Pretty much any double or single DIN will fit, but I’d recommend a double din touchscreen if you like to use the radio and won’t just plug your phone in and hit shuffle. The buttons on single dins are way too small for me and the interface on the double din non touchscreens is annoying to navigate for someone like me who likes to tweak the audio settings.

if you do get a touchscreen, I’d get one with an anti glare screen, glare is a big problem in the Ex especially if you have the tan/white 2 tone seats. (The white insert reflects like a mirror onto your radio)

 

[redheck2017]

Thank you! Definitely double din. Has to fit exact. I don't want any trim. looking to see if anyone has a good one that goes right in. with the other options I said.

 

[DiGiornoRisingCrust]

Thank you! Definitely double din. Has to fit exact. I don't want any trim. looking to see if anyone has a good one that goes right in. with the other options I said.

? As far as I’m aware, you won’t find a radio that drops right with no dash kit for any car. Definitely isn’t possible with the ‘sploder. I used the metra dash kit and apart from the disco look of the radio (I installed a Kenwood DPX303, which is a non touchscreen double din. Wouldn’t recommend it) you couldn’t tell it wasn’t stock. I can snag some pics tomorrow

 

[07EddyB]

if you do get a touchscreen, I’d get one with an anti glare screen, glare is a big problem in the Ex especially if you have the tan/white 2 tone seats. (The white insert reflects like a mirror onto your radio)

I have a JVC aftermarket in my Ex that I put in a few years ago. I have the seats of which you speak - they are my nemesis. During the day, when the sun is hitting the passenger seat, it's impossible to see the display - just the reflection of the off white seat panel. I tried a tablet anti-glare screen cover and it didn't help at all. I don't think they actually make an aftermarket radio that solves that problem.

? As far as I’m aware, you won’t find a radio that drops right with no dash kit for any car. Definitely isn’t possible with the ‘sploder. I used the metra dash kit and apart from the disco look of the radio (I installed a Kenwood DPX303, which is a non touchscreen double din. Wouldn’t recommend it) you couldn’t tell it wasn’t stock. I can snag some pics tomorrow

Your factory radio is actually a little bigger than a double DIN. You can get a trim kit which will take care of that problem but you aren't going to find a replacement the exact same size. The trim kit will make the radio look like it belongs there - really, it will.
While you're at it - go ahead and put a backup camera in the mix. Understand that the connector is too big to go through the wiring harness boot for the rear hatch so you can't mount it there. What I did was mount it on the bracket that held the 4pin trailer connection. It may sound like that's too low - but it's not.

 

[DiGiornoRisingCrust]

I have a JVC aftermarket in my Ex that I put in a few years ago. I have the seats of which you speak - they are my nemesis. During the day, when the sun is hitting the passenger seat, it's impossible to see the display - just the reflection of the off white seat panel. I tried a tablet anti-glare screen cover and it didn't help at all. I don't think they actually make an aftermarket radio that solves that problem.



Your factory radio is actually a little bigger than a double DIN. You can get a trim kit which will take care of that problem but you aren't going to find a replacement the exact same size. The trim kit will make the radio look like it belongs there - really, it will.
While you're at it - go ahead and put a backup camera in the mix. Understand that the connector is too big to go through the wiring harness boot for the rear hatch so you can't mount it there. What I did was mount it on the bracket that held the 4pin trailer connection. It may sound like that's too low - but it's not.

All good info. A backup camera is a good idea, but be careful of how you install it. I put mine on top of the trailer hitch, sandwiched in between the lower bumper and the hitch. However, the lip of the trailer hitch is in the image, and I think my camera is focusing on it which distort the entire image and seriously drops the quality. Make sure you test before screwing it in. 07EddyB’s spot seems good, but I’d make sure the camera is waterproof.

Also, if the radio you install is a full size double din, (not a short chassis) mounting depth will be tight. The radio will fit fine, but there won’t be much room for steering wheel adapters and stuff like that. I made it work with my adapter, but it took a lot of cussing and muscling my radio around. Not enough to warrant a short chassis radio (like the Alpine WLX-650 or Kenwood Excelon 706S) but just something to think about

 

[07EddyB]

Also, should you go the route of an aftermarket radio understand that there is a wire on the harness that supposedly will dim your radio when you turn the lights on. You will faithfully hook your Metra wiring harness to that wire and plug it into the factory harness thinking that all is well.
It is not - look at your factory harness and you will discover that there is actually no wire connected to that position!
Take the dimming wire from the radio and connect it to any wire you can find that controls a dash light. I think I hooked mine to the dash light wire for one of the climate control switches. Only then will your radio dim when you turn the lights on.

 

[redheck2017]

? As far as I’m aware, you won’t find a radio that drops right with no dash kit for any car. Definitely isn’t possible with the ‘sploder. I used the metra dash kit and apart from the disco look of the radio (I installed a Kenwood DPX303, which is a non touchscreen double din. Wouldn’t recommend it) you couldn’t tell it wasn’t stock. I can snag some pics tomorrow

Thank you, going with the full touch screen. Although a volume nob would be good.

 

[redheck2017]

All good info. A backup camera is a good idea, but be careful of how you install it. I put mine on top of the trailer hitch, sandwiched in between the lower bumper and the hitch. However, the lip of the trailer hitch is in the image, and I think my camera is focusing on it which distort the entire image and seriously drops the quality. Make sure you test before screwing it in. 07EddyB’s spot seems good, but I’d make sure the camera is waterproof.

Also, if the radio you install is a full size double din, (not a short chassis) mounting depth will be tight. The radio will fit fine, but there won’t be much room for steering wheel adapters and stuff like that. I made it work with my adapter, but it took a lot of cussing and muscling my radio around. Not enough to warrant a short chassis radio (like the Alpine WLX-650 or Kenwood Excelon 706S) but just something to think about

Thank you, I was thinking about getting
SoundStream VRN-DD7HB 2 DIN GPS Navigation and Audio System w/ LCD Touch Screens
but can't figure if it fits. Ever see this one?

 

[MotorCityFats13]

you can solve the glare issue with a double din with motorized face so you can tilt the display... this is pretty much an option on any unit that has the dvd/cd slot behind the face and by doing that the screen is bigger and i wired my orange wire into the bulb for the gear selector but can also be tracked down on the hvac controls and that is where I tapped in for my back lit light bar switch

 

[Paul Fithian]

Also, should you go the route of an aftermarket radio understand that there is a wire on the harness that supposedly will dim your radio when you turn the lights on. You will faithfully hook your Metra wiring harness to that wire and plug it into the factory harness thinking that all is well.
It is not - look at your factory harness and you will discover that there is actually no wire connected to that position!
Take the dimming wire from the radio and connect it to any wire you can find that controls a dash light. I think I hooked mine to the dash light wire for one of the climate control switches. Only then will your radio dim when you turn the lights on.

Or you can do this: Aftermarket Radio Illumination Wire for Dimming Display