Radio

I'm trying to put an aftermarket cd player in my wife's 1998 ford windstar. The speakers say premium on them. On the back of the factory radio there are three connectors, two large ones, and a smaller two pin connector. I am familiar with the chrysler infinity systems, but not with the premium systems in fords. I looked on cruthfield.com and the only question they asked to differentiate the stereos is "Does the cassette door say AUTOMATIC or not"? Does this system have a factory amp. If so, what do I need to do to install it. The van also has rear seat radio controls which I realize I will probably lose. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Doug:

Looking at my Haynes manual, the only thing that looks like it might be is a wire going to the headphone jack. But in the wiring diagram, the wire splits before it gets to the rear speaker. Other than that, maybe a base boost? Be interested what you find out.
Regards,
Patrick

IF the casette door does NOT say "Automatic" on it....most likely you do NOT have a pre-amp. The "premium" sound system....is...I think the "standard" electronic casette system....which is what I have in my '96. I took apart the center console part of the dash.....and found a module that I thought might have been a pre-amp......on the bottom driver's side of the console part of the dash......best as I can tell.....that is the airbag control module.......not something to play around with... From the diagrams that I have read (and they are not the most clear about exact locations) the pre-amp in cars that have one would be straight back from the radio....when looking at it from in the passenger compartment. Kinda up on the firewall.

I did install a 6 CD changer in my '96.
I got the kind that has a FM modulator that connects in between the radio and the antenna.....you unplug the antenna from the back of the radio....and plug the modulator in.....and plug the antenna lead into the modulator. Then....you set a radio station to a certain station.....and then play the CD player.
I placed the CD unit under the driver seat....and ran the wires up into the center dash (console)....then the remote wire comes out at the base of the center dash console. I made all the electrical connections up in there as well.

I also installed a subwoofer.......I installed one that takes "speaker level" inputs.....and it contains the amp.....and speaker in a nice solid enclosure..... I wired it into the wire harness for the radio as well......

I did all that and still have full use of the casette player.....all radio functions.....and the rear radio controls.

I also replaced the factory speakers with Pioneer 3 way speakers in the front....and Pioneer 2 way in the rear. I used the speakers that were listed as "direct fit" in the Crutchfield website....although, I believe that the 3 way speakers would have fit just fine in the rear. The replacement of the factory speakers did not do much for the bass...but made a big improvement in mid and high tones. I also installed dynamat around the front speakers.....about a 3ft x 3ft square....and I put a bunch of dynamat in the rear. I put the dynamat over the inside of the wheel wells....and over much of the sheet metal back there. It made a major difference in the road noise. The speakers, subwoofer, and dynamat cost me around $500.

I ended up with a very nice upgrade in sound....and still have the factory casette radio (less attractive to thieves).

My rear controls control the volume of all the speakers......But the volume setting at the front is the max. level that can be selected at the rear.....they can turn it down from that level....and back up to it. They can also select different radio stations. This is different from the description in the alldata information for my radio.

As a youth leader...who has kids in the car for long trips......it is nice to be able to let the kids control the radio from the back......but I still set the maximum volume level..... Definately one of FORD's better ideas. The kids can install their CD's into the CD player from the first bench seat....and listen to their CD's (the wired remote reaches back there from the center of the dash). A lot less distraction for the driver. Although.....now kids have their "I-Pods" ....and can play them through the casette deck...and even through the radio antenna.....

A subscription to alldatadiy might be a help in the wiring diagrams. 1 year is $25.... Then about $15 each year thereafter.