STOCK Radio Interchange Info Please

[Brain75]

Anyone know what models of STOCK Ford radios will interchange.
The previous owner of my 1st generation (1990) pulled the radio, put some aftermarket radio in and when he sold it to the used dealer he yanked it.... The dealer grabbed any old ford radio and slapped it in - it sticks out 1 inch because of this I assume, some car radio is deeper and wont fit.
Bottom line, what I am looking for is this:
What other Fords can I grab a radio from and fix that issue + maybe even upgrade to a CD?
I don't want a security locked radio that takes a $1000 trip to the dealer for their rip off, or a generic statement like "any aftermarket $250 kit from car toys", I want to grab a FORD radio from the junkyard and have it plug in to stock wiring no mess just using the standard connectors. Anything that means spending $100+ is out. (My junkyard charges $35 for a stock radio)
Specifics you can add that are greatly appreciated:
What year did Ford start locking radios with security and computer?
What year did Ford change to double DIN and abandon single DIN?
Does a single DIN that is security locked even exist, or am I safe to just hunt for any single DIN since they are all plain with no lockout?

 

[franklin2]

So you still have the stock connectors? Your harness wasn't cut? If so, you won't be able to get too far from 1990 if you want it to plug in. I will see if I can look up what is the same as 1990.

If the harness is already cut, that can open up your options, since you will have to modify the harness anyway.

I like the stock radios also. Even if they are cassette. The radio part picks up better than any aftermarket radio you can buy. AM radio is awful on most aftermarket radios. It works good on the old stock radios. You can get one of those FM transmitter things if you want to hook up your phone or a walkman cd player.

 

[2011Supercab]

Have you pulled the radio out to verify the factory plug is still there?

My guess is that it's not, and there is a big bunch of wires stopping the radio from going in all the way

 

[Brain75]

I pulled the radio out, it was snug snug snug, much worse than any other Ford single din I have ever had to pull. The harness is "intact" has the ford factory connector on it - it is obvious that 5 or 6 wires had been cut and then carefully re-spliced back together, there is no more of a large ball of wire than I have seen in the other radios in the junk yard.
I think the reason it is sticking out 1 inch is because the dealer was afraid to just jam it in hard since it is soo snug. I am probably going to either file the opening bay 1/32" so it isn't so bloody tight or just buy a brand new el cheapo. (I hate having an aftermarket radio since that seems to be an automatic "smash out my window and steal me" to thieves).
The radio itself is ~6.25" deep and heavy as a brick, I was surprised how stout it is given how light and cheap everything is made now a days.
I found this as the "honorable mention" on crutchfield reviews and the amazon ratings are higher than 4 star, I don't care about CD specifically so much as I want 'something newer than a tape deck' since I don't own any tapes anymore and I live out in the sticks where there is no decent radio station. With the Aux, USB, SD card being common if I can get something like that for $30 and just load up a spare SD that seems to be the way to go.

Amazon.com

Alternatively I found this which has the SD slot and is also sub $35...

Amazon.com

If anyone has experience with either of these I would appreciate your thoughts/opinion.

If you can suggest a good cheap unit similar I would consider those as well.

From my research so far, ALL 2nd generation Rangers (1993+) have double DIN, so I am guessing that is the dividing line roughly - somewhere around 1993. It also seems that maybe my assumption all single DIN units are "dumb" - meaning no theft lock, dealer codes, etc.

 

[superj]

the radio should slide in and have some bolts or screws holding it in. slide it and align the holes and put some bolts in it. that should get it flush and looking good, if you can get it to align.


i would imagine you can hit explorers, broncos, f series trucks, e series vans, anything from a very similar year.

 

[RobbieD]

Should be single DIN through 1994; the dash design changed in '95.

 

[franklin2]

These will work with any radio, even the ones from the 70's.

Amazon.com

Here's one powered from the lighter socket, and uses bluetooth, no aux cord required.

Amazon.com