Shawn.G

Need help w/ car audio

I am getting my car tomorrow, a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT, and I am looking to get either a cd player or 2 speakers, and when I get a summer job I will buy the subs. But now I have to find which cd player and speakers will fit my Explorer. Can someone tell me or give me a link to a car audio forum that will tell me what fits and which are the best to buy? I am new to car audio and need some help from someone who knows what they're talking about. Thanks.

Cam S

Crutchfield.com has a good system to match speakers and head units with what fits in your specific car/truck, give their site a try.

MOOOOOO

Shawn.G

I tried Crutchfield, but for the speakers they gave me both oval and circle fitting speakers. I'll try agian, but in the mean time what is a good car audio forum?

Marshall Alsup

www.caraudioforum.com

You answered your own question. But seriously, its a great site, I consider it the HTF of the car audio world. They are a little hardcore, but like here, they're always willing to help a new guy.

later,
Marshall

Well thats just...like...your opinion man

Scott L

If you've never installed a cd receiver before I'd recommend to get it straight from Crutchfield. They charge retail but they include wiring harnesses for free and detailed illustrated instructions on how to install the player. The same goes for speeakers.

Plus they arguably have the best customer service in the world!

Bargain sites:
www.ikesound.com
www.zebaudio.com
www.carmedia1.com

DarrenH

Hi Shawn,
You might want to take a ride over to your local car audio store (not Best Buy but a smaller private place specializing in car audio). The guys there are usually pretty cool, and if you aren't ready to buy, tell them, and see what they have to offer, and tell them you are checking your options. On popular models like Explorers, they might know sizes off the top of their head, if not, they have books and computer programs to give specifics about each model. At least if something doesn't sound right, the guy can come and look at your truck. Good luck...

darren

My Home Theatre Page

JayV

Shawn, I purchased from Crutchfield for my 1997 Ford Explorer XLT.

I installed a Sony head unit and a Sony ten-disc CD changer. I think it was about $325 total. Their web site can be configured to only show you equipment that is compatible with your truck.

Crutchfield, as Scott pointed out, includes everything you need: the wiring harness, the amp bypass, a new fascia to give you a pocket above the head unit (because the new head unit is half the height of the OEM radio) and instructions specific to your (our) vehicle for free.

They also included an IR remote control for free for some reason. Dunno if it was an unadvertised special or a mistake, but I wasn't charged for it.

The amp bypass runs to the amp hidden behind the right-side rear panel in the cargo area (the one with the pocket).

I put the changer underneath the right rear seat (the wider one). There is enough clearance to fold the seat down properly. I secured it to the floor with self-tapping sheet metal screws.

You might want to pick up a panel removal tool from Pep Boys or whatever. It looks like a funky screwdriver and helps pop out the panel.

Also, empty your glove box and open it all the way. You can disengage it by pushing in the tabs while pulling on it. This will give you access to run the amp bypass and CD changer control cable under the paneling to the right.

The entire installation took about twenty minutes. No soldering required.

-j

Shawn.G

Thanks everyone. This helps a lot.

Angelo.M

Mathew Shelby

I would also check out cardomain.com AND sounddomain.com. You can actually see what your Explorer will look like with the audio equipment installed.

http://geocities.com/shelbrain/index.htm