Installing an aftermarket radio in a 2004 Ford Explorer Xlt

[Johnmc10]

Does anyone know if you need a special kit for this. The person at Best Buy was trying to sell me a special kit for $90 stating that the cruise controls on the steering wheel will not work without this kit. I have never heard of this before and was hoping someone out there has installed one.
Thanks, John

 

[FordFool2]

Does anyone know if you need a special kit for this. The person at Best Buy was trying to sell me a special kit for $90 stating that the cruise controls on the steering wheel will not work without this kit. I have never heard of this before and was hoping someone out there has installed one.
Thanks, John

John,

You must have stereo controls on your steering wheel, right? If so, your new stereo will not respond to them typically without an adapter (see link below). The cruise control buttons on the left should still work whether you buy an adpater or not. The $90 price tag seems a little high.

http://www.pac-audio.com/swi/

 

[Sdogg]

I have just put in an aftermarket radio in my 2005 explorer and as fordfool2 said above you will loose the ability to control your radio from the steering wheel but it does not affect the cruise controls.
I am still looking around for a good priced adaptor so I can use my steering wheel radio controls again , not that it matters much I just like buttons to work !

 

[Huskerbob]

Does anyone know if you need a special kit for this. The person at Best Buy was trying to sell me a special kit for $90 stating that the cruise controls on the steering wheel will not work without this kit. I have never heard of this before and was hoping someone out there has installed one.
Thanks, John

Yep you need that kit but not sure it has anything to do with the cruise. You need to train your steering wheel controls to work with your new system. I got mine from Crutchfield and added the steering wheel kit. Works perfectly. I think my kit was closer to $40 but it's worth it to me to have the wheel controls function. Good luck.

 

[chetrick87]

You will not lose your cruise control. But Does anyone know if it's hard to add a steering wheel with radio controls? What does it involve