Will all Ford Ranger Radios work in any model or year?

[Lefty]

I've got a dead Ford Ranger radio in my 2003. It's not the first time either. When my old one gave up the ghost, I just went to the U pull yard and picked up another. Now that one has died. I looked on Ebay and saw a number of different makes. The seller always specifies the year. I don't care if the thing plays a disc or even an 8 track, just as long as the radio works.

Aren't they all interchangeable? Anything from 95 -08?

 

[RonD]

Size wise yes, wiring wise not always

Ford used same 16 pin connector starting in 1998 and thru 2006 it looks like
That's for the basic system, not the "Premium", pay extra, sound systems

Have a look here at the wiring diagrams: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-ranger-radio-wiring-diagrams/

 

[Lefty]

Brilliant as always! Thank you Ron.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Well, size did change, First and Second gens (83-88, 89-92) had single DIN radios. Second gen dashes actually carried into early 3rd Gen trucks, I know at least for 93 and maybe up to 95, can’t remember exactly because I’ve never owned one of those yet. So early 3rd Gen at least would have single DIN. 98-11 used the same size units I know for sure. Think they claimed it was like a DIN and a half, but you can squeeze a double DIN unit in if you go aftermarket. My green Ranger has a double DIN DVD player

 

[scotts90ranger]

Dash splits (basic design, there's a bunch of small changes over and between these...) were '83-88, '89-94, and '95-11. Whether the wiring changed I don't know... I grabbed a random $13 stock stereo with cassette a while ago for my '97 and it replaced the AM/FM stereo that was in there... if by any chance that would fit in yours you are welcome to it for the cost of shipping, I just put in the cassette stereo so I could get an aux cord... if I get a wild hair I'll snap a pic of the back of the stereo tonight, I even know where it is...

 

[RonD]

I think 1995-2011 all used the "almost" double DIN, it could be trimmed to fit double DIN 3rd party radios

Like this: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/images/double_din/IMG_4540.jpg

1994 and earlier used single DIN, like this: https://cdn.dealrimages.com/OA/4O/5W/4XCXZTD0DJSI22.jpg?h=500

1995 is when Ford switch climate control from cables to Vacuum control/Electric, so redesign center of dash

 

[97RangerXLT]

I can confirm that the wiring changed from 97 to 98. Some company had an adapter so you could use a 98 or newer radio in your 95-97 Ranger. But that's been 10 + years ago

AJ

 

[RobbieD]

Single DIN started in the 1985 models. 1983 and '84 models had the old-school "3 hole" radios.

Kind of hard to find an uncut 3 hole dash panel these days.

 

[19Walt93]

Single DIN started in the 1985 models. 1983 and '84 models had the old-school "3 hole" radios.

Kind of hard to find an uncut 3 hole dash panel these days.

Those were called shaft mount radios, by the way.
Henry Ford made his fortune by using common, interchangeable parts but that philosophy seems to have been lost over time.