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Thread: OEM Stereo wanted

  1. #1
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    OEM Stereo wanted

    It's been a couple years since I've driven the Marauder and noticed that the OEM stereo has kicked the bucket.

    A couple trips to local wrecking yards yielded no results. I also need the steering wheel mounted controls. I must have gotten something on them. The black ink has softened and the buttons are very sticky and the ink is smudging.

    If anyone can help out, let me know. Thanks!
    "No one is useless if they can still be used as a bad example." ~ SSgt. Miller.

    "Loud pipes lose rights."

  2. #2
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    My FM station reception recently bit the dust. The easiest and simplest solution I found was finding and installing the Ford Escape radio. My very first trip to the salvage yard yielded a "new" Audiophile radio for $42.76. It is plug and play, steering wheel controls still function, sub-woofer functions, etc. Only difference is that the head unit contains a 6 disc changer, so your trunk installed unit will no longer function. The internal CD changer functions as it should, so you're out nothing. The head unit sounds better, to boot.

    If you want the true OEM radio, I think at this point, your best bet is to send it off to United Radio to have them refurbish your existing unit.

  3. #3
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    I sill have the OE radio taken out of mine in 2005. Not sure if I wanna part with it. The sticky buttons are common. Get a stiff toothbrush and some Goof Off or mineral spirits, microfiber towels, and some patience. Both my Panthers did this and it comes right off leaving the buttons looking brand new. No, the white printing will not be removed. Scrub until it softens, then wipe. Repeat. You'll discover your best method as soon as you begin progress.
    '04 Silver Marauder w/ sunroof - HID lighting, JL Audio / Eclipse DVD/NAV/iPod/camera, 4.10's, 2" drop, Progard Bumper Baffle, Delete tips, Billet Pedals, BC4E dead pedal, Lidio Tune, Mach1 chin spoiler, K&N CAI, TCE lines, Super40's, tinted tails, SS Inserts, Heinous Control Arms, Real oil gauge, lighted door handles. Currently installing Eaton M112.

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  4. #4
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    StoobyMcdooby, You got lucky. I bought one off ebay and the cd player didn't work. They sent me a replacement and it didn't have any display. I finally got another one and the cd player works but is picky about which discs it will play and most of the time will not move to the next disc automatically. I guess I'll have to put up with doing it manually.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by BAD MERC View Post
    I sill have the OE radio taken out of mine in 2005. Not sure if I wanna part with it. The sticky buttons are common. Get a stiff toothbrush and some Goof Off or mineral spirits, microfiber towels, and some patience. Both my Panthers did this and it comes right off leaving the buttons looking brand new. No, the white printing will not be removed. Scrub until it softens, then wipe. Repeat. You'll discover your best method as soon as you begin progress.
    That's interesting about the sticky buttons. Do you know what causes it? I have Goof-off and odorless mineral spirits. I'll give that a try.
    "No one is useless if they can still be used as a bad example." ~ SSgt. Miller.

    "Loud pipes lose rights."

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by StoobyMcdooby View Post
    My FM station reception recently bit the dust. The easiest and simplest solution I found was finding and installing the Ford Escape radio. My very first trip to the salvage yard yielded a "new" Audiophile radio for $42.76. It is plug and play, steering wheel controls still function, sub-woofer functions, etc. Only difference is that the head unit contains a 6 disc changer, so your trunk installed unit will no longer function. The internal CD changer functions as it should, so you're out nothing. The head unit sounds better, to boot.

    If you want the true OEM radio, I think at this point, your best bet is to send it off to United Radio to have them refurbish your existing unit.
    Good info. Thanks. I'm leaning towards keeping the car as close to OEM as possible. I think I'll make another round of phone calls to the local salvage yards. These units can't possibly be rare. United Radio, I suspect, is going to be pricey.
    "No one is useless if they can still be used as a bad example." ~ SSgt. Miller.

    "Loud pipes lose rights."

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Use Isopropyl alcohol on steering wheel buttons. The oils in your skin build up on them
    2004 SB Ported Trilogy 48
    Has supporting mods and stuff
    Thanks to Marty O for his help in updating this car.

    R.I.P.
    Rex "SC Cheesehead"

  8. #8
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    I am having the same "sticky buttons" issue, so I was happy to come across this thread. I tried the isopropyl alcohol with microfiber cloth and toothbrush, then Goof Off. That got the letters nice and bright-white again but while the stickiness was reduced, it wasn't eliminated. So I tried some Goo Gone. Well, I thought I was being gentle but the rubbing or one of the products caused the rubber/plastic covering over Set Accel to come off! So I have stopped, but I wanted to warn others.
    --Morton
    Black 2004 MM
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    Bought: June 3, 2004
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Leadfoot281 View Post
    United Radio, I suspect, is going to be pricey.
    When I spoke to them in 2023 they said they could no longer repair the factory head units because the Integrated Circuit needed for the repair was no longer available. I found another company that can do the work:

    https://www.cd4car.com/

    https://www.cd4car.com/repair-your-0...Model=Marauder

    The repair cost $299 plus shipping.
    Administrator, Mustang 428 Cobra Jet Registry
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