I have a 98 ranger i want to upgrade the radio to the pioneer one that comes in explorers is it any better would you recommend it and also will it fit and work correctly will it make my trucks sound quality any better?

 

Will it fit? Size-wise it should. Will the plugs and/or wires match up... maybe, but being that they're both Ford, shouldn't be hard to figure out regardless. Don't know what's up with the "mute" button on there, but that might cause complications in wiring. Will it improve sound quality? Probly not, at least not noticeably. Improving sound quality is going to come from replacing with an aftermarket head unit, speakers, and possibly amp. Another issue I see is that the Pioneer head unit in explorers is like a premium sound system, much like eddie bauer, which run factory amps (usually under a seat) and pump more power into the factory speakers. If this is the case, it might be a pain the *** to wire it up. I know wiring an aftermarket head unit to a premium ford system requires completing re-wiring to each speaker and if I'm thinking correctly you have to replace speakers too. Your 98 probly does not have this premium sound, unless you have splash or sport I think. It all kind of depends I guess. I recommend just saving your money and getting a good aftermarket double din Pioneer touch screen head unit, those are f'in sweet.

 

i got a stereo similar to that for my 02 and the only thing i needed to do was get a new harness as the plug in the stereo is the new style . i got the wiring harness at best buy and it was very simple to do . you will probably want to get an old style one too and splice them together so you dont have to cut the wires in the dash just in case you want to put the old stereo back in .

 

That looks just like mine, the plug should be the same, but that system may have a had a stock sub option too

 

[QUOTE=RLong31;1617010] Don't know what's up with the "mute" button on there, but that might cause complications in wiring. /QUOTE]

The mute button should be an internal function of the head unit. It just mutes the audio output so you can talk on your cell phone without all the back round noise.

Kris