Radio question

[rusty ol ranger]

I have a question...

Im replacing this radio...

With this radio...

In my 86 B2.

The "new" radio is also an 86 (part number begins with "E6")

I read that all radios from this era are wired the same?

Reason i ask is the new radio has similar, but different color wires then the truck harness, and there are only 4 speaker wires...truck has 5. (Not sure why...only has 4 speakers)

I ordered the crutchfield splice on connectors so i dont have to butcher the truck harness.

My question is...are they indeed wired the same just different plugs? Would the wires on the radio appear slightly different color due to fading or something?

Anyone got a wiring diagram for either radio?

 

[WutUp Clegg]

They should be the same plug. You should be able to unplug one and plug the other in. The number of speakers does not matter. If they are different plugs, show a picture of the different plugs. I have been and installer for over 10 years, from 1997 to 2010. I have seen a lot of these.

 

[RobbieD]

Here are all of the radio pages out of the 1986 EVTM. They do note where there are differences between the Ranger and Bronco II.

Just make sure that you don't have a Premium Sound head in the mix.

Pics of the backs might help.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

They should be the same plug. You should be able to unplug one and plug the other in. The number of speakers does not matter. If they are different plugs, show a picture of the different plugs. I have been and installer for over 10 years, from 1997 to 2010. I have seen a lot of these.

Here are all of the radio pages out of the 1986 EVTM. They do note where there are differences between the Ranger and Bronco II.

Just make sure that you don't have a Premium Sound head in the mix.

Pics of the backs might help.

View attachment 117389

View attachment 117390

View attachment 117391

View attachment 117392

View attachment 117393

Ill get pictures of the plugs when i go back out to the old house in a couple days.

But the non cassette radio has the newer style long flat plug. The cassette radio has big square connectors that kinda look like the ones on the fenderwell under the hood.

I know the non cassette isnt premium sound. I doubt the new one is either. Its got pickup truck mounting brackets. IIRC it came out of a big bullnose bronco.

Definantly isnt the same plug lol

 

[RobbieD]

It's been way too long ago for me to remember the whats and whys, but the radios and harness plugs did change somewhere in those late first generation years. Pics will help, maybe even jog the old memory.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It's been way too long ago for me to remember the whats and whys, but the radios and harness plugs did change somewhere in those late first generation years. Pics will help, maybe even jog the old memory.

Yeah every early electronic radio ive seen (basically 86-93 style) were interchangable.

This one has a plug like the early to mid 80's analog ones.

Before that they had basically bullet connectors covered in rubber.

Ill get pictures. Early-mid 80's ford stuff is so weird. Just in general. So many goofy changes mid year and shit. Now im reminded why i stayed in the 70's so long lol.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

It sounds like you will need to make an adaptor using a Metra 71-1772 and a Metra 70-1770. I say Metra because that's the brand that has the model numbers, I'm familiar with. The 71-1772 will plug into the back of the cassette player, and the 70-1770 will plug into the Rangers factory harness. Take a look at those harnesses and see it that is what your radios plugs look like.

 

[RobbieD]

Before that they had basically bullet connectors covered in rubber.

I liked those. On the early 80's Escorts, Fairmonts and EXPs I used to slide that plug under the back of the radio and turn it 90 degrees. It made a great back brace. I was installing the radios at a Ford store that ordered everything radio delete, then we'd put a stereo and four in all of 'em. I did a shitload of those cars.

Now im reminded why i stayed in the 70's so long lol.

Far out. I still remain there. It's my comfort zone.


Get some pics; we'll figure it out.

 

[SenorNoob]

Any chance they are like this?
Metra 70-1772 Wiring Harness for Select 1982-1985 Ford

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Any chance they are like this?
Metra 70-1772 Wiring Harness for Select 1982-1985 Ford

bingo.

But the plugs i ordered are to splice on the radio so it plugs into the factory harness.

just need to figure out what wire goes for what

 

[SenorNoob]

So you have the factory connectors from the earlier truck?

If so the wire colors will be different but, they should line up pin to pin with that connector.
Crutchfield has pictures of those connectors from both sides. I'd suggest drawing the radio connection out to keep yourself oriented correct when you make the adapter.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

So you have the factory connectors from the earlier truck?

If so the wire colors will be different but, they should line up pin to pin with that connector.
Crutchfield has pictures of those connectors from both sides. I'd suggest drawing the radio connection out to keep yourself oriented correct when you make the adapter.

The radio haa the old style connectors.

The truck has the new style.

When i ordered it they sent me a PDF but all it did was tell me how to tear the dash apart to remove radio

 

[SenorNoob]

Sorry about that. I misunderstood.

So you have both 71-1772 & 70-1770?
If so then just match the colors and you're good.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sorry about that. I misunderstood.

So you have both 71-1772 & 70-1770?
If so then just match the colors and you're good.

Yes thats what i got.

Ill post pics when i get out there probably monday.

Ill double check the wire colors but it seemed like they were different. Close, but not exact. Like insaid maybe they were faded or something

heres what i ordered. Its got both style plugs in the kit.

 

[SenorNoob]

There is some variation in color. You should be able to tell more when have the parts together though.

That's the basic color scheme for aftermarket stuff. Notice the Illumination (Orange) and 12V Constant (Yellow) look nearly identical in this diagram.

Edit: I just noticed the left and right front both look white here too. One of them should be gray.