part # needed

[duhtroll]

Howdy -

I'm in search of a part # for the Ford replacement stereo/radio head unit that plays mp3 discs (and cassettes if possible).

I know Ford makes one and getting it is the only way I can think of to keep the interior look and be able to listen to mp3s.

Or has someone else solved this problem in a better way? I don't have a portable mp3 player, nor do I need one. This would only be for when I'm in the car.

Thanks,
-A

[the_pack_rat]

I like many of the features of the factory MM radio, but was never a big fan of it's layout. While it may be a dual media unti(cass-CD) ... it just doesn't look "natural" to me. Reminds me of something originally designed to be only one or the other(cass OR CD but NOT both) ... but was then taken & re-done half-ass to be a dual media. Mind you this is just my OPINION.

I always liked the Mach cass-CD that my Mountaineers had ..... here's one :

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38640&item=7958834838

While this style/layout radio came in just cassette versions(not sure about CD only) ... I think they did an excellent job in the layout of this dual media one. IMHO, it just looks NATURAL & it looks like it was designed from the get go to be a dual media unit. It's just a nice looking layout.

Once you repair the typical dead display problem these are prone to have, I don't think they are bad radios. I think it would look good in a MM ... especially how the illumination looks to be about the same.

I am NOT a big fan of most aftermarket stuff ... most of it looks more like some kids electronic toy than a piece of audio equippment meant for an adults automobile. Too much platinum trimmed - funky colored stuff out there for my taste. I prefer stuff that looks more factory & looks like it trully BELONGS in the car ... if something decent is out there & available. 20+ yr old cars ... well that's a totally different discussion, aftermarket is pretty much a must.

I'm pretty sure the harness plugs are different on the older Mach stlye Explorer/Mountaineer radios compared to our MM's. Getting back to YOUR original idea ... I'm pretty sure I know what radio you have in mind ... & I'm pretty sure the harness plugs for that are different than our MM's as well.

I snagged a photo of a dual media MP3 capable unit off of Ebay awhile back ... see the pics below. Is this the one you had in mind ?.

I like the layout of this radio ... looks natural to me. Only downfall to it in my eyes is the fact the display is of a different style. The backlighting illumination I'd imagine would be about the same as a MM tho, so that's a good thing. The Solara we had had a JBL radio w/a similar set up ... I got used to the display. Had a pretty neat seek feature when a cassette was in there ... you could tap the seek button once to go to the next song(or previous song) like most any other radio ... but if you tapped it say 2 or 3x ... it would advance(or go back)2 or 3 songs. Too bad I never realized this neat feature until I was somewhere in North Carolina while on my way up to Maryland to trade the damn thing in !. :stupid:.

Anywhoo ...

Wasn't trying to hijack this thread ... but I'd love to know more about the different plugs & harnesses. Assuming one could swap any MM specific brackets over to say an old Mach style radio as mentioned above as well as one of these MP3 jobbers pictured here ... the wiring is what we need to concern ourselves with. I'm not a big fan of hacking up in vehicle wiring unless absolutely NECESSARY.

Too bad there wasn't some sort of harness out there that would allow you to swap in different year/style radios between Ford vehicles(none that I am aware of - but would love to be proved wrong) w/o hacking all sorts of wires up. There's a nice harness out there for GM cars that allows one to install later style dual media units into GM cars going back to the early 80's. On my to do list for my 84 Cutlass one of these days ... snag a radio off Ebay - pick up that harness & out w/the aftermarket Kenwood cassette player in there.

[duhtroll]

Exactly. I think almost all aftermarket units belong in a bad sci-fi spaceship set.

They beg "STEAL ME!" in addition to their gaudy appearance.

All I want is a factory look and the ability to play mp3 discs. If I can't get it, I'll leave it stock before I put a freakin' disco ball in my dash.

Thanks - I'll call the dealer and see what they say.

-A

[LCSO34]

I had the same problem when trying to put a radio in my 74 260z. Everything was silver, but I wanted something that was black and not noticible. I ended up buying a JVC Kameleon that goes completly black when off. It looks good and you hardly see it when its off. I don't why they make everything in silver now when most car dash are still black.

[duhtroll]

:bump:

Bueller?

I called the local parts dept. and got nothing. Of course he was just searching under "Marauder" so that's probably why.

-A

[fastblackmerc]

:bump:

Bueller?

I called the local parts dept. and got nothing. Of course he was just searching under "Marauder" so that's probably why.

-A
Why not install a CD changer in the trunk? I replaced my factory changer with a JVC 12-CD changer, it plays MP3's thru the factory radio. And it looks stock just a small sub-credit card sized remote.

[wchain]

:bump:

Bueller?

I called the local parts dept. and got nothing. Of course he was just searching under "Marauder" so that's probably why.

-A


www.radiosandmore.com talk to BIll. Tell him Wes from Texas sent you.

[duhtroll]

Now there is something I had not thought about. Great idea - thanks. and incredibly easy to implement.

One thing. I did not get the CD changer option - is the wiring there?

-A

[QWK SVT]

Howdy -

I'm in search of a part # for the Ford replacement stereo/radio head unit that plays mp3 discs (and cassettes if possible).

I know Ford makes one and getting it is the only way I can think of to keep the interior look and be able to listen to mp3s.

Or has someone else solved this problem in a better way? I don't have a portable mp3 player, nor do I need one. This would only be for when I'm in the car.

Thanks,
-A
Ford makes several MP3 decks... The problem would be finding one that works with the Audiophile system (amp and sub)...