Which aftermarket CD receiver did you install?

[stephenson]

So, after a couple of evenings taking the original Pioneer HU apart and putting it back together, I can't find anything medhanically wrong with the CD component ...in the other hand, I have very little idea what constitutes anything in this case

Yep ...time to say goodbye to it ...radio is fine, except the volume control increases in either direction If turned quickly ...

Reviewed all the double DIN options at Crutchfield ...most are rated pretty well, but many look like jukeboxes ...

Like the Bluetooth calling and music streaming from smartphones to the HU.

Don't want to spend more than about 150 or so ...

Recommendations?

How about paint that is an exact match to the interior silver in the bezel?

 

[chefduane]

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[chefduane]

Kenwood DPX500BT is the one I have. Crutchfield lists the 502BT at $159. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DPX...with_promotion&awnw=g&awcr=90679206985&awdv=c
Nice unit.. Bluetooth, USB, Pandora.. etc. No Nav or cameras tho. But I like mine. Get the Metra pigtail and DD mounting kit and you should be good to go. The mount kit is matte black and *probably* would be ok with the silver console bezel, but if you gotta' match it exactly then... I dunno.

 

[HELMUT RONER]

Kenwood kdc-bt645u

There's one good way to fix a factory head unit once and for all.

I'm not fanatical about car audio stuff. It's annoying enough to have hear someone else booming their ghetto system next to me in their raised up 80s sedan on 100 inch Donks. My old head unit wasn't playing CDs anymore, the cassette player still worked (but played the tapes muffled even after using a head cleaner), and the volume knob had a mind of its own upon touching it.

I kept a Kenwood head unit that I used to have installed on my old 2003 Ranger Edge (wiring is identical to my 2002 Trac). Ford Explorers, Mountaineers, Sport Tracs that DID NOT have factory installed amplifiers required an adapter harness made by Scosche part number FD16B for a clean, plug and play installation. There is a plug made for those that did come with factory amps.

I don't listen to radio anymore. I put all my favorites on a USB thumbdrive and play from it through the front USB port on the stereo. It's an earlier bluetooth model, so it will only work with hands free calling, but not streaming music from a portable device.

 

[HELMUT RONER]

The dash install kit, believe it or not, is from Walmart. Scosche part number FD3090

It took some time trimming and figuring it out, but after bending the required tabs on the sleeve that comes with the stereo it is in there nice and tight. Looks factory (almost).