DIY: iPod through factory radio in 2001 Explorer Sport WITH PICTURES!

[yourpalmike]

So I wanted to listen to my iPod in my Explorer without having to buy a new head unit.

From past experience, FM Transmitters really suck quality wise and they drain the iPod's battery so I bought the iPod2Car kit from Best Buy ($95.99) made by Peripheral Electronics model PXDP-KF.

The guy at Best Buy told me they could install it for $99. I rolled my eyes at him and came home.

Total time to install: 30mins.

Tools needed:

small socket set
phillips screwdriver (crosshead)
wire strippers
electrical tape

Here is what the kit looks like.

Switches 2 and 8 on the control unit need to be flipped down for an Explorer.

The kit comes with 4 harnesses. For the 2001 Sport I needed harness PXHFD3.

Take all the crap out to the truck.

Start by removing the 2 screws from under the radio. (You can disconnect the battery before this if you feel like you're the type of person who will touch a 12V to a ground, but I didn't feel the need.)

Gently pull the trim piece and radio off. It's held on by a couple of plastic and metal clips.

You'll need access to the back of the radio so gently pull the unit out.

Unscrew the 2 screws holding in the harnesses on the right side. One at the top and one at the bottom. Remove the rear washer button by pulling on it or else it will pop off and go flying like mine did.

Now you can swing the radio out and access the back.

Plug in the black part of the harness into the radios CD changer port.

Plug the clear white part into the white control unit.

Find 12V power and connect the yellow wire from the harness. Since the unit doesn't draw power unless it's on, I used 12V from the lighter.

Ground the black wire from the harness. Again I used the lighter.

Plug the white cable that will go to your iPod into the control unit.

Unravel as much cable as you need. In this case I needed about 16" since I was going to run it to the glove box. Wrap the rest of the cable up with the twist-tie.

Feed the cable wherever you want it. Glove box is easy and provides a nice hiding spot for the iPod.

Plug in the iPod.

Start the truck and test it out to see if you've f***** anything up. In this case, it worked like a charm.

Secure the thing to the top of the radio with some electrical tape to prevent it from rattling around in the dash.

Screw those switches back on top and bottom.

Tuck everything in and slide the radio back into the dash. Be sure all the clips are aligned.

Replace the pesky button.

Replace the 2 screws under the radio.

Now the iPod plays in high quality and charges in the glove box.

The thieves will never know (unless they just read this).

 

[Donner]

We know man...

"The thieves will never know (unless they just read this)."

We know everything... nice watch, by the way :shifty_ey Like that too.

That is a great hook up! And easy too... So how's it sound?

 

[Turdle]

Wow-
What a nice writeup.

For a first post, that wasn't to shabby--

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Nice write up! Good pictures!

On suggestion: you can disconnect those 3 connectors on the left side of the bezel and not have to unbolt the bank of switches. That way you don't have to mess with the knob/button things. Each of them has a little release button and come undone pretty easily.

 

[Donner]

Sticky! Sticky! Sticky!

 

[Flounder]

Great write up! Just a little hint--to bypass removing the radio by removing the bezel, simply get yourself some radio removal tools.

 

[iceman7329]

Great write up! Just a little hint--to bypass removing the radio by removing the bezel, simply get yourself some radio removal tools.

My first thought when reading the post, not bad though.

 

[Donner]

Not all gens use those hooks to remove the stereo... so the poster's method is great.

 

[Flounder]

Donner:

True. However, 02+ 4-doors will have a different bezel. The tools work on this style bezel, which applies to 95-01 4-doors; 95-03 Sports; 01-05 Sport Tracs; and of course, Rangers from the paleolithic age (okay, okay, 95-ish) to today.

That being said, I just need to reiterate what was said above--absolute golden first post, Mike.

 

[yourpalmike]

it sounds real nice, CD quality, but the best part is controlling the ipod from the factory radio (changing tracks, albums, etc.) although it still lets you control from the ipod too.

 

[Donner]

My 03 4-door uses that hook tool. The hook is good, but if you already have a socket wrench, you don't need to buy a hook tool. Save your money or download more iTunes.

 

[Donner]

What made you think about doing this write up?

it sounds real nice, CD quality, but the best part is controlling the ipod from the factory radio (changing tracks, albums, etc.) although it still lets you control from the ipod too.

That's a great write up there...

 

[DB_1]

Cool write up, so how do you listen to and control the ipod from the head unit...do you switch it to CD or how does that work?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Awesome writeup! You can also pop the connectors off the switches on the cluster, they are teh easy style releases over there, not the uber difficult screwdriver ones. I think it would be easier to work with the wiring and tape everything up nice and route the wire through the dash with the bezel off, so I like this method.

Nice job!