Swapping receivers between model years??

[CVirgo]

I have a cd player that is eating cd's, which I understand to be a common issue with the '05 receiver, and because I want an aux port I'm in the market for a new unit. The problem is that nearly every unit on crutchfield or anywhere else I look was designed for a 16 year old boy and his first car. I want something plain, just like the stock unit was. I don't need rotating colors, sound bars, or anything else; I literally want the exact same stock unit with an aux port.

So I got to thinking, why not just use a stock receiver from a later model year? It would still be pretty basic and would have the aux port. I called the Ford dealership down the road and they said it wasn't possible, even referred me to an aftermarket store. If I can put an aftermarket stereo in, why can't I put a factory stereo from a different year in?

 

[Number4]

You can't use any stereos from '06+, their chassis is too big.

 

[CVirgo]

Good to know, Number4. I took my radio out and searched for the item number online; this will likely be purchased soon: https://www.amazon.com/Mercury-Explorer-Radio-Player-4L2T-18C815-EA/dp/B00LLO4K5K