Head unit replacement on 92xlt

[slagmelt]

I have a 92 Explorer XLT 4dr 4x4.
The premium sound headunit's cassette is stuck and wont eject. I have a cassette - 3.5mm jack adapter stuck in there which is fine, though I'm only getting sound out of the right side speakers unless I jam something in there and jostle it around I sometimes can get stereo.. lol.. I'm in favor of yanking it out and replacing it with a simple modern headunit that's cheap and painless as possible. I don't even use cd's hardly, I use a tablet or my phone loaded with mp3s. I've located my factory amp it's in the rear drivers side next to the rear wiper fluid tank. I thought that was weird cause from what I've read it's supposed to be on the passenger side. All my speakers are currently working fine, when I can get stereo sound.

Here's the headunit I've picked
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-X2800UI-Single-Din-Receiver-Internet/dp/B01463VCMG

Here's the wiring harness
https://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-5511-Wiring-Harness-Integration/dp/B0002BESFU

My question is can I use this setup: HU, wiring harness, stock speakers, & amp? Or should I use the bypass harness and not use the factory amp?


I've only replaced one HU before in my old '80 Fairmont Futura.. I miss that car
That was a real hack job I used wirenuts and electrical tape to join the wires. All the old speakers were sun rotted and useless, no speaker wire to be found except in the dash hahaha.. $150 in 2004 for ghetto walmart sound system, yeah!

 

[timtimtimajim]

I think for the setup you are going for, you will be fine using the stock amp and maybe even better off as it will help provide better sound. I still use the stock amp for the door speakers with an aftermarket head unit and aftermarket speakers and it sounds great. Though I do use an aftermarket amp to power my sub. It's always something that could be upgraded in the future.

The factory amp is on the passenger side. Is your Ex auto 4x4? If it is, then the thing on the driver side is the control unit for the 4x4.

 

[slagmelt]

Yeah it's auto 4x4.. dang i thought I got lucky and wouldn't have to tear apart the passenger side.. I havn't messed with the 4x4 since I've had it so I don't know a whole lot about it other than I'm pretty sure my shift motor's kaput. Thanks for the info!

 

[larrydd999]

My $0.02 would be to replace the head unit but keep the rest of the system as is. You can get an adapter kit that will connect directly to the plugs that go into the back of the radio and interfaces to most any new radio/CD/whatever. I have the JBL in both of our GEN1's and I still use an OEM radio/cassette unit in my DD because I like the OEM look and use a plug-in transmitter to play from a memory card or USB into the FM. We're some distance away from a city with all of the megawatt transmitters, so the tiny RF unit works just fine.

 

[Jason94sport]

A decent HU with BT, ipod/android, CD etc costs all of $70 these days. You can buy the wiring kits on Ebay cheap. No reason to not replace it. And it's easy. Even the side panel in a 4 door should be 20 minutes tops with simple hand tools.
I WOULD replace the speakers. At least down the road. Again you can get decent speaks for $70 a pair. Again if you can pull a door panel they are easy to replace.
Look at crutchfield as well. They will give you the wiring harness, dash kit & instructions free most times with a HU purchase.

 

[cbach1997]

I have a 92 Explorer XLT 4dr 4x4.
The premium sound headunit's cassette is stuck and wont eject. I have a cassette - 3.5mm jack adapter stuck in there which is fine, though I'm only getting sound out of the right side speakers unless I jam something in there and jostle it around I sometimes can get stereo.. lol.. I'm in favor of yanking it out and replacing it with a simple modern headunit that's cheap and painless as possible. I don't even use cd's hardly, I use a tablet or my phone loaded with mp3s. I've located my factory amp it's in the rear drivers side next to the rear wiper fluid tank. I thought that was weird cause from what I've read it's supposed to be on the passenger side. All my speakers are currently working fine, when I can get stereo sound.

Here's the headunit I've picked
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-X2800UI-Single-Din-Receiver-Internet/dp/B01463VCMG

Here's the wiring harness
https://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-5511-Wiring-Harness-Integration/dp/B0002BESFU

My question is can I use this setup: HU, wiring harness, stock speakers, & amp? Or should I use the bypass harness and not use the factory amp?

I have a 91, formerly with the Premium sound. The amp for the sub and the sub itself were all in the passenger side void around the rear wheel hump. All of it came out 17 years ago and I stuck in a Pioneer 12 disc changer on the opposite side wheel hump, a Sirius tuner, a Pioneer head unit, and a Pioneer amp for the four doors. I ran new 16awg wire to the doors and installed Polk DB570's, which now I think have a new name. Either way they were 6x8 oversized speakers that fit perfectly, are 2 way drivers with 60w RMS ratings which match the amp I installed perfectly. The factory sub setup got replaced with a powered MTX special that was custom made to fit our Explorers and has lasted a long time - I had to replace the woofer itself but the amp is still getting it done. The grill for the new sub loves to fall off, so I screwed it into the molded opening so it would stay in place. I can run the radio long and loud and the truck will still start. The sub is only 100W class-D, plenty for a small party or in-truck blasting. The doors kick pretty hard, to the point they rattle the panels.

Back to your question, no matter what you pick, you will want a trim ring that hopefully comes with the head unit and also need to spend a little time shaving the opening to be a little larger all around so you can get that single-din radio installed. Whatever came from Ford was just enough smaller that it fits perfect, but aftermarket ones are a snug fit.

I would also recommend you consider a few extra nickles and get something with a powered USB port so you can run tunes forever without having to charge your player once a week. This option also gets you shuttle control from the head unit directly.