2000 Windstar Radio upgrade

[catdan8]

I want to upgrade my current factory radio/cassette to a factory radio/cassette/ Cd player. I can find a lot of Ford radios on ebay (in my price range) but am not sure which ones will fit and work with my van. There are so many different ID numbers and the units look the same. How do I get the right one? Thanks

[CraigRK]

Hi catdan8

I didn't go with a replacement Ford unit, but thought I'd share what I just did. Perhaps it might help you & others.

I just finished replacing the radio/cassette unit in my 1998 Windstar with a new single CD/tuner unit. I picked up a SONY 200 watt peak (50x4) CD/receiver unit that plays CD-R/RW's, has an input for iPods and MP3 players (have a teenage daughter permanently wired to these gizmos), and removable faceplate from WALMART for $79.88 (SONY Part# CDX-GT11W). This is one of their lowest priced units, and it looks and plays great. The kit for wiring the new unit directly to the existing Ford harness cost $6.94 at WALMART (SCOSCHE Part# FD021 @ WALMART), and the DIN tools (for removal of the old radio) was $3.96 (SCOSCHE Part# DT-1 @ WALMART). Total cost $90.78. Unit is very nice. Installation was very straight forward and took about 1.5 hours total. The only modification I had to make was slight filing of the plastic at the sides of the hole in the dash plastic to fit the carriage for the new SONY unit (included), as it was just slightly wider than the existing hole. Total filing time maybe a minute, removing perhaps 1/16" of material. Mating the wires from the new CD unit harness to the Ford connector kit was done in my hobby room (no need to do this while contorted under the dash), and then this bridge harness simply snapped into the back of the CD unit, and then to the existing Ford harness clips that used to plug into the old radio. This was about the easiest radio installation I've ever done.

Good Luck with your upgrade.

CraigRK

[idlemonster0]

My rear radio will not come on. I tried the combination 1 and 3 buttons on the stereo but can't get it to turn on the back radio. The headphone symbol will not come on. Anyone have any ideas why?
I have been looking for a replacement from my OEM cassette to a cd version anyways. I would like to know what Ford radios are interchangeable with the factory so my rear (back seat) radio will still work. Any one know other radio part#s that will work? I have 96 Ford Windstar.

[catdan8]

Hi Idlemonster0,

It has been over a year since I replaced my radio so i can not remember all the details. I called Ford and asked them for the part number and they refered me to the radio installers who do there business. They gave me a few numbers to choose from for my vehicle and I got the radio/cd from ebay. Please keep in mind next year we will be switching to HD radio. I am not sure how that will work myself but though it worth mentioning. Hope you can get what you need. Oh and it takes a pulling tool that I got I think at Walmart. Hope that helps.
Catdan8

[mark v]

Crutchfield: Car Audio, Home Theater, Speakers, Home Electronics will give you a wire harness and install kit if your van requires one plus they will list radios guaranteed to fit your vehicle. They have an awesome warranty and lifetime support, cant get any of that from EBay.

[GraybeardAv]

Just bought the DIN radio removal tool for Fords and Foreigns at Autobone. The radio came right out. The $4 for it was sure better than the coat hanger gavme.

I rode my $10 ten speed, so no gas was wasted..

GB

[khooper]

here are some steps in using the DIN tool

STEP 1.
Insert radio removal tools into holes on radio face plate. Some radios have plastic/rubber covers that need to be removed

STEP 2.
Push tools into radio about 1/2" or until you hear or feel a "CLICK". WARNING do not insert tools too deeply into holes, this could cause damage to the radio retaining clips.

STEP 3.
Apply slight outward pressure on tools with thumbs. Pull out on radio using tools as handles.

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