Lookin' to upgrade from my OEM audio unit. And I'd like to get some input as to what some of you folks might have to offer.

The unit I get should have the following features...

AM/FM Tuner
CD (Multi-CD deck would be nice.
USB Port (so I can play some music I have on a Data "stick"...or whatever they are called)
GPS Capability (w/Turn by Turn voice instruction if possible)
CB Radio (I haven't come across a stereo unit that has that capability...they may not exist...at least in my financial realm...and if not I'd like some ideas on small CB Radios. My preferred brand is Cobra but ya'll might have a better brand in mind)
...And anything I might have missed.

I know I could Google until the cows come home but I prefer to get opinions on what's on the market and the thoughts of those that have experienced audio equipment buying and what you think about getting as much "bang for my buck" as is reasonable.

I'm also planning to replace the OEM speakers as well. I ain't looking to shatter windows two blocks away but I want to get good, quality speakers that would mount in the OEM locations and sound good at a reasonable volume.

Lookin' to sink $4-5 Hundred on the deck. Don't know how expensive the speakers might be. All I know is no matter what one spends on an audio deck...it ain't gonna' sound worth much without quality, well matched speakers.

Thanks:

 

I would recommend taking a look on Amazon for pioneer head units. Don't think the CB bit in exists. But pioneer makes the best head units I've ever used. And Amazon usually has crazy deals on audio stuff. I got my head unit for 200 normal price was 500.

Speakers i have JBL components in the front and JBL coaxials in the rear. Love em. Tons of bass yet is not distorted unless you go crazy with the EQ.

 

It may be difficult to get a quality headunit within that price range with all but one of those requirements...the Citizen Band. I've never seen one aside from a stand-alone unit. As noted above, Pioneer is quality stuff and so is Kenwood and Alpine.

Since I use a GPS all day every day at work, I just find it easier to have a stand-alone unit...Garmin. Instead of having two GPS capable toys with both having different interfaces (excluding my cell phone).

I suggest going over to Crutchfield's webstore and narrow it down to the units that have your requirements. LINK: Car Stereos at Crutchfield.com. You may find cheaper prices elsewhere, but Crutchfield's customer service is absolutely top notch.

CB's.... The hard part about a Ranger is there's no really good location to place a radio. Especially the big Cobra 29LTD's. I've got mine on my roof. Many get the Cobra 19DX for it's small size, basic operation, and mount them on a center console, or ash tray, or kneeboard. I've seen others go for the Cobra C75 (the hand held unit) and mount it on their radio bezel or gauge bezel or kneeboard. I remember in the past there was a "show off your CB" thread, but I can't seem to locate it now.

For the speakers, I've become a VERY big fan of Infinity's Reference line of speakers. They are 5x7/6x8 and the tweeter rotates to aim the highs at your noggin', where it's desirable. Not too crazy priced either and sound great using the radio's amplifier or an external amplifier. I find the "rock" EQ to be best for my listening style. That's another advantage to an aftermarket stereo....tuning the settings to suit your listening style.

LINK: Infinity Reference X REF-8602cfx 5"x7"/6"x8" 2-way car speakers at Crutchfield.com



I'm no audio nut or pro, but I know just enough to really get me in trouble with my wallet! I like my tunes to sound goooood.

 

Thank You, Gentlemen.

 

I love my Kenwood Excelon KDC794.

I've always wanted a double din, but couldn't justify spending the money at the time I needed a new radio.

As far as GPS goes, I always use Google Maps on my phone, since I don't use GPS very much I can't justify buying a separate unit or getting a radio with it included.

 

i am new at this but i got a dual car radio to put into my truck and i got a ford apter for it and the 12 pin wire that came with the radio. when i put it in it worked but when i drove it the radio would skip i would want to say almost and would take a while to like restart again. skips on cd's, radio,and plug in. any body know how to fix it please help.

 

Would the headunit turn on and off?

 

What is the setback on your whees. Bitchin' Ride, by the way...

 

I really like my pioneer 4400 double din.
It has pretty much everything you mentioned minus gps & cb.

Browse around crutchfield & sonic electronix, they both have good products & most times they'll include the dash kit & wiring adapters if needed.

I never go far enough away from home to need gps but I can always use my cell phone's gps or google maps to find my way back home if I got lost

 

What about this one, will it work ?

A little older but brand new !

https://www.ranger-forums.com/interi...-dd-ma-138028/

 

^ That is a really good deal I have the ancient AVIC-D3 from pioneer. It even needed the add-on unit to be able to use Bluetooth. I've always dealt with Pioneer and love their products. My whole system is now straight Pioneer.

 

I am a Pioneer person also.
This one is still available if someone is interested !

https://www.ranger-forums.com/interi...-dd-ma-138028/

 

I'll add my .02 since I did this upgrade last year. My speakers were all thrashed and the stock CD wouldn't play. I spent ~$550 for everything. Wish I had taken pics... I went with a Kenwood double din unit. I had to trim the back edge off the opening for the stock unit with a dremel tool but it turned out quite nice. Almost looks factory. I can post a pic if anyone is interested. Pioneer is good like others have said. I've always been a Kenwood guy myself until the unit I have now. It works great but it is nearly impossible to use while driving. I wanted to point that out so you will consider that when picking a head unit. I didn't and pay for it everyday. Most of the units will come with USB, Bluetooth, and an option for Nav. I chose not to add the Nav because (1) It almost doubled the price of the HU. (2) Some of them charge for updated maps. (3) I have a smart phone that will play through the speakers for turn-by-turn (hate it and turn it off anyway) that is always on current maps. Now because I didn't want it doesn't mean its not right for you. I have not seen any with CB radios in them. I probably would've bought it if I had...

You will be surprised at what a quality HU will do for the stock speakers. Speakers are, to a point, relative on what sounds good. Go to somewhere that you can listen to them before you buy. I will second the Infinity speakers. I spent $300 for all 4 and they sound AWESOME and I'm an audio guy by trade (commercial applications). They are not quite as linear as I would like but for the price its money well spent. I had originally bought kickers for it but I didn't like the sound (very mid-rangy) and one of them blew up in the first 30 seconds. Do yourself a favor and pick up some of the plastic retaining pins for the door panels before you start.

 

RazorEdge, How did this work out ?

If you happen to find an Explorer with a Pioneer System in it, the system includes special front speakers, two speakers in one and labeled Pioneer.

The rear look OEM Ford but I could be wrong, but there is an AMP in the left rear compartment, also Pioneer.

Just something to look for when in the JY next time.

I installed a set of the Explorer Pioneer Speakers in the front, OEM Rear Speaker… they sound good on an OEM Unit then I added a US Spec iPod Adapter too, WOW, it only make the speakers sound better.

The OEM Head Unit and the US Spec adapter using the Ex Sport Pioneer Front Speaker was sounding great. I could hear the tweeter sounding off an caught more base from the rear.

Also, I JUST noticed the first Air Cav Patch, was wondering what years you were in ?