85 BII Premium Sound Update

[ford4wd08]

Thinking about replacing my receiver in BII I daily drive because I am tired of hunting the radio stations each time I get in when there is a temp change. I do know it is a premium sound setup with what I assume is an amplifier in the dash under the cover with the bolts.

I have already changed out the speakers in the dash and the body panels behind the front seats.

Trying to find an appropriate looking head unit that doesn't look like it belongs on a spaceship.

Anyone done this change recently, got any leads on good replacements?

I believe '85 is the first year of the single DIN radio size vs the '84 and earlier RBV's.

@RobbieD any advice on this?

 

[ford4wd08]

Current Radio in BII.

 

[RobbieD]

Thinking about replacing my receiver in BII I daily drive because I am tired of hunting the radio stations each time I get in when there is a temp change. I do know it is a premium sound setup with what I assume is an amplifier in the dash under the cover with the bolts.

I have already changed out the speakers in the dash and the body panels behind the front seats.

Trying to find an appropriate looking head unit that doesn't look like it belongs on a spaceship.

Anyone done this change recently, got any leads on good replacements?

I believe '85 is the first year of the single DIN radio size vs the '84 and earlier RBV's.

@RobbieD any advice on this?

Yes, 1985 was the first year model with the single DIN head unit.

If memory serves, the OEM opening may need minor filing to front-load an aftermarket single-DIN head.

I hope that somebody comes along with suggestions for the head unit, as I'm in the same boat as you.

I have three trucks, a '90 B2 and 2 '94 Explorers, that I would like to get matching AM/FM/CD head units. They all have the same second-generation dash.

I doubt that I can find three working Ford head units, that vintage, that are working and affordable. So I'm going to be looking for a basic, no frills black faced head unit, current manufacture, that I can put into all three. Until I start looking, I'm just afraid that nobody's making such an animal anymore.

I kick myself, for not stocking up on such units when I installed "back in the day". Some of the old Blaupunkt and Sony units looked right at home in these trucks.

My '84 still has an uncut "3 holer" dash panel, so it's got an OEM Ford AM/FM in it (a shafted radio). Unmolested '83-'84 dash panels aren't easy to find anymore.

 

[ford4wd08]

Yes, 1985 was the first year model with the single DIN head unit.

If memory serves, the OEM opening may need minor filing to front-load an aftermarket single-DIN head.

I hope that somebody comes along with suggestions for the head unit, as I'm in the same boat as you.

I have three trucks, a '90 B2 and 2 '94 Explorers, that I would like to get matching AM/FM/CD head units. They all have the same second-generation dash.

I doubt that I can find three working Ford head units, that vintage, that are working and affordable. So I'm going to be looking for a basic, no frills black faced head unit, current manufacture, that I can put into all three. Until I start looking, I'm just afraid that nobody's making such an animal anymore.

I kick myself, for not stocking up on such units when I installed "back in the day". Some of the old Blaupunkt and Sony units looked right at home in these trucks.

My '84 still has an uncut "3 holer" dash panel, so it's got an OEM Ford AM/FM in it (a shafted radio). Unmolested '83-'84 dash panels aren't easy to find anymore.

Have you seen this Pioneer unit that came out last year?

New SXT-C10PS. Retro outside, smart inside.

New SXT-C10PS. Blend retro aesthetics with cutting-edge technology such as Bluetooth®, DAB+ Digital Radio, multi-colour illumination, advanced audio features and Pioneer's Smart Sync App.

pioneer-car.eu

I think they did a great job for the styling, but it's pretty high dollar, might only be available in the EU as well.

 

[Jim Oaks]

​

Factory radio converted to Bluetooth.

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[ford4wd08]

You can find decent looking Blaupunkt units on ebay, but they're not exactly cheap either.

Blaupunkt Milano 200 BT 1 DIN In-Car Radio Stereo CD Player Bluetooth AUX iPhone retro | Black | 2 Year Warranty | Aftermarket Branded | RDS | MP3

Whether you're phoning hands-free with the built-in microphone and the car speakers via Bluetooth or navigating and selecting your music program with the signature ease of operation for which Blaupunkt is renowned. Function keys are reduced to the absolute essentials and, what's more...

www.ebay.com

 

[ford4wd08]

View attachment 138657
​

Factory radio converted to Bluetooth.

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I've technically got BT currently with my radio, but it is through a hardwired FM transmitter that plugs in through the port of the antenna, it works great unit you hit a bump and loose the FM station

 

[ford4wd08]

I forgot about it until recently, but I rented a U-Haul truck a couple of years back and thought the receiver in it would look decent in an older vehicle, but I have no idea what the part number is or if it would be an easy swap. I snapped a picture of it though.

 

[RobbieD]

Have you seen this Pioneer unit that came out last year?

Thanks. I had not seen that one. The look is nice but . . .

Factory radio converted to Bluetooth.

I just want a simple AM/FM/CD unit. I don't need Bluetooth, nor even any kind of USB inputs.

Simple digital readout; hell, I could even dig an analog dial for the radio part. Four-way balance / fade, separate bass and treble. That's it.


Shit, I don't even have a cell phone at the moment. I don't want one, either, but I do need to get a flip phone (easier to carry) though, for possible emergencies considering my age, health and my alone and rural living location.

Basically, I just want something to fill the hole in the dash, that makes pleasing noises.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Oh man....

Analog radio, no cell phone, and planning trips with a paper map. I miss those days.

 

[RobbieD]

Oh man....

Analog radio, no cell phone, and planning trips with a paper map. I miss those days.

Yes; some of us choose to still live this way.

A simple life, is a happy life.