Installing 99+ premium (CD player) into 98 or older

[VDub2625]

Hello,

I bought a 99+ head unit (premium, with CD/tape, RDS, etc), and I want to put it in my '97 Sport. I have most of the wires figured out (basic power, ground, and speakers, via aftermarket wiring diagrams). I still need to know which pins are the data lines for the rear controls, which are the amp turn-on wires, etc.

At Dead Link Removed site (PDF), the radio I have is the last in the list, and my Explorer has the middle ones. Problem is, like I said, all it shows is the basic hookup, nothing too technical for amp turn-on, or rear controls, etc.

I have wiring diagrams for my current vehicle wiring (from that site that everybody here knows about, but it escapes me), all I need to know is what goes where on the back of a 99+ stock premium unit. Thanks!

Also, if someone could tell me what the extra connectors do... I have 4 connectors on the back, only one of whihc is used on this new radio. I would like to know what the rest are for (which might possibly be explained by an OEM diagram). Thanks again!

 

[TerryS1980]

my factory cd/tape deck only used one plug with the rear controls. the extra ones are for vehicles with factory amps and subs.

 

[VDub2625]

Well, almost all Explorers use a factory amp 9except the most basic), I have an amp and rear controls.

I have all the speaker pins worked out (I think), and the power lines, etc. All I'm confused about is 2 or 3 wires, really (of which, 2 are data for the rear controls). What's weird is the truck i got this out of had one single wire in a second connector on the back of the radio,a gray/black. No idea what it does.

I assume the extra connectors are for, as you said, accessories, like sub, telephone hookup, and CD changer. I'd like to know the wiring anyway, in case I decide to hook these up (telephone sounds particularly interesting, like it could possibly be used as a line-in).

 

[VDub2625]

Ok... just spent some time with diagram programs as downloaded off FordCDs.com... here's what I found.


EDIT: see attachment for an easier explanation.

With this data, it should be easy to convert from one to the other Note that the speaker colors are the only real differences. Also, the later model radios are all pretty much the same. THe truck i got my radio out of had no rear controls, or amp, so the accessories harness was not there. I need to get a connector from a truck with those things so i can hook up the amp and such to the right places.

Funny thing, this radio looks like it was a "base" model (see above, no amp or rear controls), yet the radio has connections for those things, and a sub. I'm betting if i hooked those things up, they'd work.

Does this get me Eliete Explorer status?

 

[section525]

I would like to see a write-up on this when you're done. I have a '96 which I removed the center console from so the rear speakers stopped working. So I would like to throw a '98+ indash CD player (as I have no CD player in it now since the changer is gone) so I can have something besides tapes and radio.

 

[VDub2625]

Well, the problem witht aht is... the rear speakers are wired directly to the rear control panel (at least one side). I can help you figure ut which wires you need to tap into to run to the radio though

 

[IAmTodd]

You will also need to by-pass the rear amp and either run new leads to the speakers or new leads to the rear where the amp is located and splice accordingly.

You can also purchase this kit which is plug and play:
http://oem-auto-accessory.com/harness_p100_to_t100.html

 

[VDub2625]

You will also need to by-pass the rear amp and either run new leads to the speakers or new leads to the rear where the amp is located and splice accordingly.

You can also purchase this kit which is plug and play:
http://oem-auto-accessory.com/harness_p100_to_t100.html

I didn't need to

I used a tiny screwdriver to switch pins between connectors (between the small black connectors), and used an adapter on the big gray one. But if you are not familiar with his sort of technique, I recommend using an aftermarket radio adapter harness on both connectors in your dash, and use my connection guide provided above to connect it to the OEM 99+ radio harness (if you downloaded it before, do it again, I edited it a bit).

I ended up using the factory amp, but i had to connect the power line to the power antenna wire. It works great

$70 for an adapter harness, and no amp?! It took me all of 45 minutes to do it myself, and my amp works

 

[IAmTodd]

You're also putting an amp'd signal into an amp. Not good for the radio, amp, and sound quality. I prefer to do things the right way.

 

['97 V8]

Todd, i need your help on something.

Will buying this stereo, and the adapter plugs you mentioned make this stereo work in my 97? Check out his auction.

 

[VDub2625]

You're also putting an amp'd signal into an amp. Not good for the radio, amp, and sound quality. I prefer to do things the right way.

Something bothers me about that. I got this out of a basic truck, with 4 speakers, no amp, no CD changer, not even rear controls. yet, it says "premium" on the bottom. Did only the JBL systems come with an amp in '98? My '97 Premium has an amp (obviously).

Looking at all the different diagrams for '98s (base, premium, and JBL), they all use the same pin locations, and, presumably, are interchangeable.

EDIT: ok, jsut checked... you're right. Sounds hissy. So I guess I need a JBL head unit to be able to use the amp.

This one has RDS. i thought the JBL system was the only one with RDS?

 

[IAmTodd]

Something bothers me about that. I got this out of a basic truck, with 4 speakers, no amp, no CD changer, not even rear controls. yet, it says "premium" on the bottom. Did only the JBL systems come with an amp in '98? My '97 Premium has an amp (obviously).

Looking at all the different diagrams for '98s (base, premium, and JBL), they all use the same pin locations, and, presumably, are interchangeable.

It dosen't sound overamped...

Regardless of the radio, in '98 and new units the door speakers were powered by an internal amp within unit itself. You won't find an amp in any '98 or new vehicle unless it has the Mach system which will have an amp for the sub.

97, I didn't see an auction link posted? I would also shoot the owner of that site an email to make certain that will work in your truck. I'm fairly sure it will though. I just don't want you spending $70 and it to not be the correct harness.

 

['97 V8]

oh, oops. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=180106552790&rd=1&rd=1

 

[VDub2625]

Ok... I'm confused. Mine looks like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...ryZ38640QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It says "Premium" on the bottom, but dosen't look like theis:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-9...7QQihZ006QQcategoryZ38641QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(mine has RDS, clock on the right, tuner on the left, volume across the middle instead of the bottom, but says "premium" on the bottom, and came out of a very basic 98)

Any ideas on what I have?

 

[IAmTodd]

The first one is the older one, second is the newer. The one you have is notorious for the display issues. Both are premium units. I'm actually in search for the same radio you have.

If steering wheel controls, rear controls, and changer controls are not important to you, I would find the 6 disc MP3 radio out of a Ranger, 97. Its a very good radio. I have the single CD/Cassette version of it currently in my explorer.

 

['97 V8]

sweet, i asked him if his harness will make it work with my 97. Thanks for the help todd.

 

[IAmTodd]

If you do get this harness let me know how it goes and the quality of it.

I'm sure it can be easily pieced together for cheaper, but there's always the opportunity cost.

 

[VDub2625]

Just wanted to say:

Thanks Todd! I got the amp out of there, and spliced the wires together (not the ideal way to do it, but it works). Sounds great!

I think you said that the '98 HU put out 145w combined, speakers and sub included. What does the OEM 97 amp put out? Thanks!

 

[IAmTodd]

Not sure what the amp puts out. I just spliced my connections together as well. Ended up having to put it back to stock when I sold it, which was a pain, but worked none-the-less.

 

[VDub2625]

I really like this radio. I might keep it for my VW! The Explorer is always for sale, but I'm liking it more and more. I plan to add auto climate and the trip computer next. i've been reading up and it seems pretty easy (for me, anyway ).

Now, if I wanted to convert to all green lights inside... all I'd need is a new filter for the overhead console, right? How about the cluster? Is a 1998 cluster plug and play, or do i need to swap pins, or is it even more involved? Eh, maybe i'll save that for a new thread