I have a 2003 Ranger with the stock audio system and CD player. The manual says it will play MP3 format, but it will not play anything I record. I spend alot of time in the Death Valley area (no radio reception) so I want to record some CDs that play much longer than standard cd format.

Has anyone recorded any MP3 format CDs and what is the secret?

 

Do you have a pic of the stereo? Rangers came with like 4 different radios and not all of them played MP3s. Mine will, and there really isn't anything special that has to be done to play them. IIRC, just copy them to a disc and it will work. I used to do that before i got a Zune, and I would get like 150 songs on a disc without a problem.

 

Thanks for your help. I am attempting to attach a picture . . . so bear with me.

 

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Thanks for the help. I am attempting to attach a pic I took few minutes ago, so bear with me.

I think I figured it out.

BTW . . . I have recorded the mp3 files I wanted, can play them on my computer but not on the Ranger cd deck . . . so if this is what you have done, then it is probably a lost cause. I have bypassed the problem by purchasing a COBY radio ($45) with a USB port and playing what I want through that, but it has its own audio problems. A CD play fix would be great.

Let me know if the picture comes through.

 

It doesn't look like the MP3 units. Those ones usually have "MP3" written on them somewhere. If it helps, MP3 single disc units from later models are plentiful and they will bolt right in. They look a little different, but they work and are pretty cheap.

Id wait for some of the >03 guys to chime in to be sure though. Ive only had 04+ trucks :) both had the MP3 capability and had it written on the face of the unit.

 

non-mp3. If it was to play mp3 discs, it'd say "mp3" on the front of it. Your stereo however CAN play burnt cd's, just not Mp3 format cd's. I had that same head unit in the truck when I bought it. The mp3 capability was an option on at least 01+'s....They may be standard equipment now, I'm not sure.

 

Alright! Thank you very much for your help . . . I must have burned 20 mp3's and wasted a lot of time researching.

I also very much appreciate the Ranger Forum.

Alan Aguilar
Sacramento, CA

 

Not a problem at all. Me personally, I'd be getting an aftermarket stereo long before a replacement stock stereo for all it's huge advantages over stock(HD radio, mp3's, aux input, sub preouts, door preouts, etc)....hell, I DID do that! lol.