Replacement for 2005 Explorer Radio

[Tills]

I'm going to apologize in advance for my little knowledge about car radios. I hope that with more research on my part and some guidance from the members here, I can make an informed decision.

My wife's radio has gone crazy in her truck and I am looking for replacement. And by crazy I mean the radio will turn on and off for no reason, radio will be on but you cant change channels, power to it cuts in and out, etc. Now most of the time it just sits there in a powered off mode.

From the research I have done it is a double DIN size radio. I am trying to keep the cost down on the radio as GPS, slide out screens, and other bells and whistles are not needed. The only thing that my wife wants is a port to connect her zune into to play music.

Is there a direct replacement for factory radios that does not require you to have to do any wiring splicing or anything else of the sort? What are some good sites to look at when it comes to radios? I have been looking at crutchfield mainly to see what aftermarket options are available.

Thanks in advance for any help that can be provided.

 

[Nixthebomb]

Well if you just want something that simple, you can get decent single din radios for around $150, then you'll need a dash kit and wiring harness, which will match colors of new radio wiring and will plug into factory harness, and that's really about it, just make sure whatever radio you choose has a zune control, or aux input

 

[Tills]

Well if you just want something that simple, you can get decent single din radios for around $150, then you'll need a dash kit and wiring harness, which will match colors of new radio wiring and will plug into factory harness, and that's really about it, just make sure whatever radio you choose has a zune control, or aux input

So the wiring harness just plugs into the factory harness and then back into the aftermarket radio?

I like the idea of a single din model since there is a greater selection. I assume the dash kits are pretty straight forward installation wise.

Are there any favorite places you like to look at for radios? So far crutchfield is the only place I have looked at.

Thanks for the info Nix!

 

[Mr. Griffith]

Yea I have a single Din in my explorer it's pretty straight forward to install. The dash mount will come with instuctions most of the time and after you get the dash mount in just connect the two wiring harnesses and slide it into place. May take a lil extra pushing. And as far as brand I say keep it simple and get a pioneer best for the money in my opinion.

 

[techboj]

I'm going to apologize in advance for my little knowledge about car radios. I hope that with more research on my part and some guidance from the members here, I can make an informed decision.

My wife's radio has gone crazy in her truck and I am looking for replacement. And by crazy I mean the radio will turn on and off for no reason, radio will be on but you cant change channels, power to it cuts in and out, etc. Now most of the time it just sits there in a powered off mode.

From the research I have done it is a double DIN size radio. I am trying to keep the cost down on the radio as GPS, slide out screens, and other bells and whistles are not needed. The only thing that my wife wants is a port to connect her zune into to play music.

Is there a direct replacement for factory radios that does not require you to have to do any wiring splicing or anything else of the sort? What are some good sites to look at when it comes to radios? I have been looking at crutchfield mainly to see what aftermarket options are available.

Thanks in advance for any help that can be provided.

As an alternative to crutchfield...

http://www.bestkits.com/SearchResults.aspx?mk=Ford&mkid=9&md=Explorer&mdid=289&yrg=2002 - 2005

Here you will find the dash kit and harness required.

As for the replacement deck, Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood make good entry level SINGLE-DIN units with a universal front / aux input that allows connection of a zune or any mp3 player via the headphone jack. Units start below $100 so if you factor in the installation kits it should land you about $150

Installation is simple. Mate the included harness that came with the new deck with the aftermarket harness. Plug this combined harness into the existing Ford's harness, plug the other end into the new deck

If you want a double-din unit crutchfield has other decks that should fit your dash opening. My advise is to stay with known name-brands both for quality and reliabilty.

 

[agonz91]

Don't waste ur money @ crutchfield...if u buy from sonicelectronix you can get a deck that has aux input on the front. Fyi no aftermarket deck will play a zune. Anyways if u order from sonic they most the time will throw in a dash kit and wiring harness for free. Idk but u might need an antenna adapter too, they don't give those out...u could get this: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_20179_Dual+XR4110.html nothing special but it has front usb port, sd card port, and aux input. For $50 not bad...for something a lil nicer and will last a long time: http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17190_Clarion+CZ109.html this clarion deck is nicer and it has the front aux input. And again this deck will come w/ free dash kit and wiring harness.