Changing 98 stock head unit

[M Darrah]

Lots of questions...

Anybody know if the AM/FM/CD head unit is a direct replacement for the cassette/CD changer unit? Basically, I want an in-dash CD player. I hate changers.

What were the stereo options in the '98 anyway? Are there any other units from other cars that would work? The ideal situation would be in-dash CD plus changer controls, but I don't know if that's possible.

Here's the deal: I'm considering going ahead and installing the Focals I've got for sale, along with subs and aftermarket amps. After thinking about it for a while, I'd prefer to use a stock head unit rather than aftermarket, mainly because of the reduced threat of theft, but also because it's too hard to find an aftermarket unit that looks right in that huge opening. What does this entail (hooking aftermarket amps to the stock stereo)? I'd like to bypass the stock amp completely.

 

[crash]

RE: Changing 98 stock head unit

"The other thing you could do (WAY more custom than anything), is change the radio out for an aftermarket radio (one of your liking that is) and do a custom install. What that would entail is setting the radio back far enuf so that you can take the face plate off of the factory radio and use it as a blanking plate, so that when you park your car you can just 'clip' it into place and it will look factory so that the 'anti theft' deterrent is there."


Great minds think alike Ray! I just did the same thing on mine. You have to glue all of the buttons back on to the face plate. You also have to use a dremel and clear out the inside of the face plate in order to get it to fit over the aftermarket head unit. I haven't figured out a way to get it to "clip" over the aftermarket unit. It just kind of sits on it.

 

[M Darrah]

RE: Changing 98 stock head unit

Thanks for the info Ray. I guess I should have stated that I've done a few installs myself using some fairly high-end components, so I'm familiar with how to wire a system using all aftermarket stuff. But I've never had any experience building a system that uses a factory head unit.

Is there any tradeoff sound-wise using the converter you suggested, i.e. extra noise?

I had considered doing the "dummy face plate" thing on my old T-bird, but never got around to tearing the old AM/FM head unit apart. I suppose it's an option, but I kind of like the idea of using the stock unit anyway. The only thing that would steer me away is if it has the same awful controls as the changer unit. The FF and RW buttons are just terrible - one speed only (slow). Plus all I get is the disk and track number for display. I like to see time-elapsed. Oh yeah, and I like the fact that it's got a really decent AM tuner. I listen to a lot of talk radio, and aftermarket CD players tend to have really crappy AM tuners. The stock radio even gets AM stereo!