Simplest CD Install for Current '95 Non-CD Vehicle

[caucapon]

We have a nice 1995 with the JBL non-CD system. For the last two years, I've toyed with the idea of installing some type of CD player. A few days ago, the on/off switch began to malfunction. This is probably as good a time as any to make this improvement.

My wife and I are not audiophiles on any level. We're just interested in playing the occasional CD. I am assuming that the simplest and least expensive route would be to install the Ford trunk-based CD player with the appropriate Ford head unit for this year. Of course, I could be wrong.

I am also assuming that the car comes pre-wired for the changer. that my current amp would be fine in such a system, and that I would only have to purchase the appropriate in-dash head unit and the proper Ford CD changer. Of course, I could be wrong.

I suspect that going after-market in any reasonable way would make both cost and job complexity much greater. Of course, I could be wrong.

Any advice/suggestions gratefully received.

Al

 

[Austin]

Al, I could actually see going the Ford route being quite expensive. A good quality aftermarket headunit with CD player can be had at about the $100 mark. Add in +/- $20 for a wiring harness and you could very well install it yourself.

 

[steve]

iPod or mp3 player with a hard wire, cassette or antenna adapter. cassette is the easiest and they cost $10, CD players are obsolete, why bother with one when you can put all your music on one ipod or mp3 player. If your head unit is falling just looked for a used one on ebay.

 

[tixer]

Wow, That's a whole lot of assumptions. My own experiences tell me that the trunk-mounted changer may not be the way to go. Unless the unit available for '95 was superior to the '97 that I have experience with. The 10-disc factory changer that came with my '97 is of very poor quality. The unit is made by Sony, but is prone to failure. I've gone through three in the 9 years that I've owned my car.

If the wiring is a match, I'd be tempted to locate the in-dash CD unit that I believe was available in '98. These days the OEM radios seem to be quite affordably priced, as most everyone else is going with the aftermarket touch-screen double-din units. It would not surprise me if a member here has one in their parts bin.

I'm afraid that the only way I'd be reasonably confident that it would be "plug and play" however would be to see shop manuals for both '95 and '98, to see if they reference the same wiring harness connectors.

I guess this is promising, but I'd hardly accept it as gospel. This vendor seems to list the same harness for 95-98
http://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Harness-Lincoln-wiring-installation/dp/B000KKXTZS

 

[billcu]

I think the in dash CD player would be the easiest.

I have installed a 1994 10 disc changer in a non CD 1994. Your wiring will be different, but the post link below might give you an idea of what's involved.

This one was from my 94 red Mark VIII and still works great, same with the one in my green Mark VIII. I'm not sure about the Gen 2 10 disc units, I've got the 6 disc units in my Gen 2's.

http://lincolnsofdistinction.org/vb...-a-CD-player-in-a-non-CD-car&highlight=player