adsm08
Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2009
- Messages
- 34,623
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- 3,614
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- Location
- Dillsburg PA
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- 4.0 V6
- Engine Size
- 4.0
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Tire Size
- 31X10.50X15
For those who have looked at my build threads it is no secret that I am partial to Sony radios. Anyway, we sold out 2010 Escape, bought an 05 Explorer, and I was looking for something that would replace at least some of the functions of the Sync system that was in the Escape.
So I looked around the internet and found the Sony WX GT90BT. It's spec sheet says it supports Bluetooth audio streaming, phone calls, and it has the auxiliary input, USB input, and the standard RCA amp jacks in the back.
It is a double DIN radio, so it fits pretty much every Ranger from 93 up, and every Explorer from 95 up. It installs easily with wire adapter and install cage, same as every other radio I have ever put in. The only problem I ran into was having the cut quite a bit out of the side panels of the cage to get the radio centered up, but I think that is a vehicle design issue, not a radio issue.
The Bluetooth phone function does require an external microphone, that comes in the kit with the radio, and running the wire for the mic was the worst part of the job. I wanted the wire run where it wouldn't be seen.
Once the radio was installed I only had a chance to play with it briefly, but so far I like it better than a factory Sync system. Streaming audio from my phone was easier, pairing was easier, and call quality was identical. I did initiate the call from my phone, and I haven't played with it enough to know if there are any voice command functions for starting a call.
Overall, I am very impressed. For all you guys with late model Rangers who were all sore about the last year not getting Sync, go get this radio and do what Ford should have.
So I looked around the internet and found the Sony WX GT90BT. It's spec sheet says it supports Bluetooth audio streaming, phone calls, and it has the auxiliary input, USB input, and the standard RCA amp jacks in the back.
It is a double DIN radio, so it fits pretty much every Ranger from 93 up, and every Explorer from 95 up. It installs easily with wire adapter and install cage, same as every other radio I have ever put in. The only problem I ran into was having the cut quite a bit out of the side panels of the cage to get the radio centered up, but I think that is a vehicle design issue, not a radio issue.
The Bluetooth phone function does require an external microphone, that comes in the kit with the radio, and running the wire for the mic was the worst part of the job. I wanted the wire run where it wouldn't be seen.
Once the radio was installed I only had a chance to play with it briefly, but so far I like it better than a factory Sync system. Streaming audio from my phone was easier, pairing was easier, and call quality was identical. I did initiate the call from my phone, and I haven't played with it enough to know if there are any voice command functions for starting a call.
Overall, I am very impressed. For all you guys with late model Rangers who were all sore about the last year not getting Sync, go get this radio and do what Ford should have.