BlackBII's white ranger

[Curious Hound]

I am going to paint the dash bezel as well, because now the two finishes don't match.

That's how it starts.

 

[BlackBII]

That's how it starts.

I know.

If I am not careful I'll end up with something like this.

 

[BlackBII]

On a side note, I did get this in the mail yesterday.

 

[Curious Hound]

nice.

I was just on Crutchfield's website looking at single DIN stereo receivers with flip-out nav displays and backup cameras. It's fun to wish. I might have an expensive Christmas list this year.

 

[BlackBII]

nice.

I was just on Crutchfield's website looking at single DIN stereo receivers with flip-out nav displays and backup cameras. It's fun to wish. I might have an expensive Christmas list this year.

I looked at some of those as well. I really wanted to go with the factory look though so I got this NOS stereo off eBay.

I am going to be adding an AUX input and Bluetooth though, so I can actually listen to music off my phone.

 

[JRR1285]

Just read through the entire thread. Lots of good information and it is great that you put the part numbers of the items that work for you. Will probably come back from time to time for reference. Would love to do a 4.0 swap but they don't appear to be as plentiful here.

 

[STPL]

On a side note, I did get this in the mail yesterday.

Is this an upgrade off of the factory radio? Or is it just another factory radio? It looks like the same radio that I have in my 94, just without the cassette player. I would love an upgraded sound system, but want to keep the dash looking original.

 

[BlackBII]

Just read through the entire thread. Lots of good information and it is great that you put the part numbers of the items that work for you. Will probably come back from time to time for reference. Would love to do a 4.0 swap but they don't appear to be as plentiful here.

The majority of 4.0's that I have found have been in first gen explorers with bad automatic transmissions. Good luck!

Is this an upgrade off of the factory radio? Or is it just another factory radio? It looks like the same radio that I have in my 94, just without the cassette player. I would love an upgraded sound system, but want to keep the dash looking original.

It's not an upgrade, it's just a factory radio. I wanted it to look new though, so I bought that new old stock faceplate. It came in the original Ford box.

I want the dash to look original as well, which is why I am going this route. I have a little bluetooth receiver board that I am going to put inside the radio and tap into the pre-amp Left and Right channels. We'll see how it goes.

 

[STPL]

I want the dash to look original as well, which is why I am going this route. I have a little bluetooth receiver board that I am going to put inside the radio and tap into the pre-amp Left and Right channels. We'll see how it goes.

That sounds like a much better option than using one of those FM receivers. Can you link to one of those boards? I'll look into that option for myself, I know my way around a soldering iron!

 

[BlackBII]

That sounds like a much better option than using one of those FM receivers. Can you link to one of those boards? I'll look into that option for myself, I know my way around a soldering iron!

I have one similar to this one -> LINK

I've had good luck using these in the past on other projects, so I think it'll work. I need to pull the radio apart and take a look.

 

[BlackBII]

Picked up all the cruise control parts today. All of this only set me back $23. Gotta love pick n pull yards.

We'll see if I can get it to work.

 

[BlackBII]

Got the cruise control working today.

If you do this swap make sure you grab the horn relay as the 'On' circuit gets it's power from that relay. I first thought I could get the cruise working and worry about the horn later... Until I looked at the diagram.

Cruise is done. Next should be the radio, then the lift and then steering.

 

[BlackBII]

Getting rid of the chrome side mirrors in favor for the black flappy ones. I think they'll match my black grill and soon to be black bumpers much better. Plus, they're mounted further forward than the chrome ones. I hate having to turn my head to see out of the chrome ones.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Gawd, I hate the curved passenger side mirrors, especially for backing a trailer. Whenever I get the chance I swap the mirror for flat and add a small 2" round stick on.

Totally off topic.....

 

[BlackBII]

Gawd, I hate the curved passenger side mirrors, especially for backing a trailer. Whenever I get the chance I swap the mirror for flat and add a small 2" round stick on.

Totally off topic.....

You and me both.

Fortunately, I won't be towing much of anything with this truck, save for a small trailer to carry all my camping/overlanding gear.

I'll be building something like this.