Wondering if i can swap out my factory base model am/fm stereo for a factory cd/am/fm. My radio only has one connection + ant. I noticed that the radios i looked at at the pull a part had more plugs on them than mine does, so before buying one i wanted to see what would work, if anything will.

 

You're specifically looking for a factory replacement, rather than a newer aftermarket alternative?

 

Yea, id rather have a cheaper factory cd player,than a walmart or parts store pos that takes an add on wiring harness & a $50 install kit to put in. I don't need anything fancy, just something to play my Slayer cds.

 

Maybe this will help...
On my 2009 base Ranger, it came with just the am/fm radio, with only the one plug.
I found a factory am/fm/cd on e-bay from a 2007 Ranger, but it had 2 plug inlets on the back. Turns out the second plug is for stuff like amps, extra speakers, ect. My one plug from the original am/fm plugged into the rear of the new radio, and everything works...all controls, cd player, clock.
I paid $80 which was a bit high, but it is in brand new condition with not one blemish on the face.. For your older model I would expect it to be alot cheaper.

Grumpaw

 

The 1996/97 Ranger CD Player units didn't have amplifier built in, they used a separate amplifier, so not a simple swap, totally different wiring

Most of the Ranger "Premium" sound systems had separate amplifier

So you would be better off with a 3rd party unit that has the options you want

You can add an FM modulator to add a source to any Radio, and listen on an unused FM Radio channel

 

He's not looking for a radio with an amp...he wants to up grade from the base am/fm radio to an am/fm/single cd disk radio. He's asking if the swap is a simple plug n play, even though the am/fm radio wireing is a one plug attachment.
The up graded units with cd player/cassette/amp fit into the same dash area, but used 2 plugs in the back.
I believe it will be a stright plug n play with the one plug on the base Ranger plugging into one of the recepticals on the upgraded radio.
I researched all this garbage several weeks ago when I wanted to do the same swap on my 2009 base. Base Ranger was supplied with radio wireing harness with one plug. Wireing harness for the Rangers that had cd players, amps, ect consist of 2 plugs and the radio has 2 seperate plug areas on the back.
The one original plug on my Ranger fit into the main plug area on the up grade radio, and the radio works perfectly. I think you will find it's a stright, easy swap. When I did mine it took less than 5 minutes to swap my radio out to the new up graded am/fm/cd player.
Before you buy, look at the one plug on the back of your stock radio as mine was square, and the radio I had to buy was from a 2007 and newer Ranger. Your older 1997 may have a different shaped plug, and you might have to source a radio from the earlier series...the same series as your 97..
Most radios sold on e-bay will have photos of the back area so it will be easy to see if your plug will fit.
Grumpaw

 

Well after further inspection my radio actually has 2 plugs in the back, both are long plugs & plug right next to each other, making it look like 1 big plug. I got a cd player, but it has 1 long plug & 1 square plug. I tried it anyway & it comes on, but no sound. I will go back & get the speaker plug today & see if the colors match & check the wiring diagrams. It is an 8 pin connection like my factory plug, just a different shape.