Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ron Dittmer on September 30, 2010, 12:39:29 pm
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Maybe this applies also to the newer style dash boards, but certianly for the pre-2009 chassis, you can easily swap the single CD radio with a 6-CD one. When selecting a 6-CD radio, be sure to first take out your old 1-CD and match up the connectors before buying it's replacement. There are two differnet style radio connectors. I learned the hard way, removing my old radio after I had the replacement in-hand.
Removing the old radio should be fairly easy, though it didn't work that way for me. The way it is designed, you insert nails in those 4 holes in the face of the radio to release the two side retaining clips. Then simply pull the radio out from the dash. But I had trouble there. I ended up removing the engine cover/dog house to expose the entire back side of the radio. I then reached from behind to unclip the radio and then pull it forward.
I will report back once the new 6-CD radio is in.
I bought my 6-CD radio used, off ebay quite cheap. Just be sure to get the right one with the right connector in-back.
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There is a tool for removing the Ford radios that makes things a lot easier (pretty cheap too).
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rmmpe, I knew there was a tool for that, but thought nails would work just the same. But NO, the tool works, nails don't.
Being a used replacement, I electrically plugged in the 6-CD version of my Ford radio, loaded it up with CDs, and ran through all the button features. Everything checked out perfectly so I slid the radio all the way in the dash until it "Clicked" to lock in. All done!
Not bad for $60.
My wife and I will be burning CDs of our favorite tunes. You can get near two purchased CDs recorded on one computer-burned CD. The 6-CD radio then becomes more like a 10-CD radio. Stuff the radio with CDs and you're good for the entire trip.