Escape Audiophile 6-disk installed

[mrjones]

My 04 had the radio problem start up on it. Radio would fade out after being on for a bit, and finally just became unusable. I would use the cassette adaptor and my iphone for tunes and that worked OK, or at least better than me singing!

Last week I ordered an 07 Escape Audiophile 6 disk player from LKQ and it came in yesterday. I swapped them out yesterday and it took less than 5 minutes. It had a slightly harder time locking the clips in than the factory radio, but it was not an issue.

I'd heard about how this radio sounded much better than our factory radio, but so far I'm not hearing it. It sounds good for sure, but I don't think it's as crisp and clean sounding as our factory radio. Everything is working great on it and it fits and blends in the interior perfectly. My youngest daughter helped me with the install, but when the older daughter got in and started messing with it after dark, she quickly realized it wasn't the factory radio. I even burned an MP3 CD and it works great.

I've got to find some way to hook up the iphone again. I guess one of the PIE connectors may work.

I'm glad to have radio again, but based on what I'd heard here about the Escape Audiophile, I guess I was expecting more.

[SC Cheesehead]

My 04 had the radio problem start up on it. Radio would fade out after being on for a bit, and finally just became unusable. I would use the cassette adaptor and my iphone for tunes and that worked OK, or at least better than me singing!

Last week I ordered an 07 Escape Audiophile 6 disk player from LKQ and it came in yesterday. I swapped them out yesterday and it took less than 5 minutes. It had a slightly harder time locking the clips in than the factory radio, but it was not an issue.

I'd heard about how this radio sounded much better than our factory radio, but so far I'm not hearing it. It sounds good for sure, but I don't think it's as crisp and clean sounding as our factory radio. Everything is working great on it and it fits and blends in the interior perfectly. My youngest daughter helped me with the install, but when the older daughter got in and started messing with it after dark, she quickly realized it wasn't the factory radio. I even burned an MP3 CD and it works great.

I've got to find some way to hook up the iphone again. I guess one of the PIE connectors may work.

I'm glad to have radio again, but based on what I'd heard here about the Escape Audiophile, I guess I was expecting more.

Hmmmm, very pleased with mine. Not a 2X improvement over the OEM radio or anything like that, but I do think it sounds better, more definition on bass and treble it seems, but that could just be me, too.

+1 on the MP3's, that's really what I like about it.

[Ktorres1]

I have one of these for sale if anyone's interested pm me for price

[ctrlraven]

If you want a real difference you need to go aftermarket then. This is a factory a-like option for people ALSO while still retaining factory sub. This is why I went with one for now cause I knew I'd have to do other stuff along with a new aftermarket radio like get a 4-ch amp to run the front aftermarket components I installed and bridge the rear ch to run my upgrade sub.

[SilverBirch]

I installed one a few months ago when my orig CD player quit working. I'm happy with it and love the updated look but think the sound is about the same.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I'm happy with my Audiophile unit after the original radio had the fm fade out reception problems. I think it sounds better than the original stereo, not a vast difference but a tad crisper and better bass response in my opinion.

[ctrlraven]

As long as it works and does what it's suppose to that's all that matters.

[rayjay]

I rarely use my radio tuner since I bought into XM/Sirius. I use the cassette adapter and it sounds great. Best thing I ever did for mine is install Infinity Reference speakers in the OEM locations. Night/day difference. Still kind of irks me though that I dropped approx $700 on aftermarket equipment into my Aveo commuter car and that system way out performs the MM stock system, even with the Infinities. For the original price of the car, Ford should have done better in the audio dept. from the factory.

[DEFYANT]

Make sure the settings are correct and set for "all seats". I had the same feeling until I realized the settings were set for the "rear" listeners.

[SC Cheesehead]

Make sure the settings are correct and set for "all seats". I had the same feeling until I realized the settings were set for the "rear" listeners.

True, that. ^^^^^

[gpfarrell]

Make sure the settings are correct and set for "all seats". I had the same feeling until I realized the settings were set for the "rear" listeners.

So you like your Audiophile then? I've been on the fence, but I'm getting tired of swapping out factory Marauder radios as they fail!

[rayjay]

So you like your Audiophile then? I've been on the fence, but I'm getting tired of swapping out factory Marauder radios as they fail!

Have you tried sending a OEM unit to United Radio for repair? It may be cheaper in the long run.

[TFB]

The fact it looks stock and it's ability to play Mp3 discs, the Escape/Mariner unit made it a no brainier for me... A Mp3 CD can hold somewhere between 100 & 200 songs on a disc(depends on length & bit rate)...

[SC Cheesehead]

The fact it looks stock and it's ability to play Mp3 discs, the Escape/Mariner unit made it a no brainier for me... A Mp3 CD can hold somewhere between 100 & 200 songs on a disc(depends on length & bit rate)...

True, dat!

Nothing like hundreds of disco's finest, hour, after hour, after hour....! :D

[Glenn-ho]

I will looking at installing one soon as I am on my third MM radio. All have had the same FM problem. Has anyone had any problems with the Audiophile system failing?

[DEFYANT]

So you like your Audiophile then? I've been on the fence, but I'm getting tired of swapping out factory Marauder radios as they fail!

Yes. I like it a lot actually. But I also upgraded all the speakers and swapped the sup with a basslink. All in all, I would have liked a bit more thump, but this is good - and it looks factory.

[rayjay]

I will looking at installing one soon as I am on my third MM radio. All have had the same FM problem. Has anyone had any problems with the Audiophile system failing?

Look up United Radio in Syracuse, NY or in NC and ship them your broken unit for repair.

[tbone]

I love my 9 1/2 year old factory radio. Sounds great, perfect reception and nary a problem. Maybe I'm just lucky........:beer:

[Rob]

I just bought the 6L8T-18C815-FD 2006 Mercury Mariner head unit to replace the stock 2004. The only reason was I wanted Sirius without adding an ugly external display. I haven't received it yet but I want all the parts in my hand before I install it.

Does anyone have the part numbers of exactly what I need to buy in order to get Sirius satellite radio on the unit? I've been searching but I come up with a dozen different kits. Maybe even an ebay link?


Thanks in advance,

Rob

[marauder410]

you need to get pioneer 7' touchscreen with gps and dvd player build in sound awesome and look to bad azz with our interior looks like came like that awesomee

[Rob]

I don't like flashy stuff and have absolutely no need for a DVD player. Plus I wanted to use my steering wheel controls.

On the other hand I have a very conservative looking yet absolute amazing detail audio system in my supercharged 97 Crown Vic. That's my fun project car. The Marauder is my new 'executive' car.

[AzMarauder]

Will the Escape Audiophile control the factory changer in the trunk?

[bigmerc'03]

Will the Escape Audiophile control the factory changer in the trunk?
NO it wont but the new unit has a 6 disc changer in the head unit the the one in the trunk isnt needed

[Roadwarrior]

According to a local car radio repair technician that I visited recently, the FM tuner on the factory radios for the Marauder, Town Car, Grand Marquis & Crown Victoria have been a common problem for some time & to repair them, the assembly that includes the tuner part would have to be replaced & its only available from Ford & the individual part {FM tuner} is not available either from Ford or the electronics parts aftermarket. :( I have been having an occasional problem with the FM radio & debating on repairing it or doing the Ford Escape 6-CD upgrade.

[AzMarauder]

Which part number is the one we should use for the Escape Audiophile swap? (are there several?)

[Rob]

Which part number is the one we should use for the Escape Audiophile swap? (are there several?)

6L8T-18C815-FD is the one I've seen that people recommend for the stock look, better quality head unit. There is one on ebay right now. Maybe a little pricey even though I bought mine for the same amount, but that's it. Experts please chime in if I'm wrong.

[Roadwarrior]

6L8T-18C815-FD is the one I've seen that people recommend for the stock look, better quality head unit. There is one on ebay right now. Maybe a little pricey even though I bought mine for the same amount, but that's it. Experts please chime in if I'm wrong.
Could also use 6L8T-18C815-FC. Both part #'s work for the Escape audiophile upgrade.

[Rob]

Could also use 6L8T-18C815-FC. Both part #'s work for the Escape audiophile upgrade.


Yup sorry. Forgot that one.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I used car-part.com to find my Audiophile unit. I found it at a local junkyard so no shipping and 3 month warranty. it was $150.00.

[AzMarauder]

Thanks for the answers....

I know I considered this some years back... but didn't want to lose my factory changer.

Is there anything besides the head unit that needs to be purchased or is it strictly a plug and play swap?

[RubberCtyRauder]

Plug and play..less than 5 min. to swap, prolly more like two minutes unless the Ford radio removal tools are being fussy.

[AzMarauder]

Thanks all for the responses....

[RoyLPita]

So you like your Audiophile then? I've been on the fence, but I'm getting tired of swapping out factory Marauder radios as they fail!

Gregg,
Get one. For the price that a salvage yard offers with at least 90 days coverage, you cannot go wrong.


I just bought the 6L8T-18C815-FD 2006 Mercury Mariner head unit to replace the stock 2004. The only reason was I wanted Sirius without adding an ugly external display. I haven't received it yet but I want all the parts in my hand before I install it.

Does anyone have the part numbers of exactly what I need to buy in order to get Sirius satellite radio on the unit? I've been searching but I come up with a dozen different kits. Maybe even an ebay link?


Thanks in advance,

Rob

Rob,
See my signature.

[Rob]

Rob,
See my signature.

Thanks for the offer but since my posting I was able to track one down. No time to install it so unfortunately it's sitting in a box. I'll get to it soon enough. I miss my good tunes!

[SC Cheesehead]

Thanks for the offer but since my posting I was able to track one down. No time to install it so unfortunately it's sitting in a box. I'll get to it soon enough. I miss my good tunes!

Installation should be 15 minute job or less, you're gonna love it.

[RoyLPita]

Thanks for the offer but since my posting I was able to track one down. No time to install it so unfortunately it's sitting in a box. I'll get to it soon enough. I miss my good tunes!

Thanx for letting me know.