I have a '99 V6 with what I'm guessing is the stock sound system. With the tuner/cassette player and cd player as 2 separate units. I was wondering how difficult it would be to replace the cd player portion, possibly with an upgraded unit (The cd player has stopped ejecting the CDs). Or would I be better off ripping both units out, and putting a newer one in. I don't need anything crazy, just curious if there is anything special I need to know before I dive in to this project.

 

^^ bump ^^ ^_^

 

Well, there are a few things you could do.

1. Rip out only the bottom unit with the CD and install an aftermarket changer...although I haven't done that.
2. You could take out both, install DVD player above, and DVD changer below.
3. Or do what I did, put in aftermarket CD player above, take bottom out and put in a 10 dollar delete pocket from Cardomain.com.

To remove the stereo and CD player you'll need the Ford CD player removal tool for lack of better name. It's two U shaped prongs that kind of ease the removal process. People say you can insert nails...etc...into the holes, but I didn't want to cause any damage, better safe than sorry. This can take a little work, as it requires to pull out at the same time on both ends, while applying outward pressure on the prongs. The CD slave unit below is a bit tougher to remove, tighter fit, but done the same way...Although with an auto, you'll need to put the ebrake on and shift into first gear. Do this by not starting the car, but simply turning it on so all the lights on the dash appear. Apply brake shift, shut off.

The CD delete pocket just snaps in, I took one out of an older mustang, trimmed it abit so it fit, and then snapped the tabs off. The tabs keep it from pulling out, but I'm not sure if I want it there forever so I broke those off, otherwise your stuck. Plus mine was such a tight fit, the tabs weren't needed.

Anyways, the above stereo can be installed like most other stereo systems. The one problem we encountered was that the plug in where the wires were on the stock radio were not the same as the after market. So we had to cut those off and manually insert each speaker wire into the correct place. I'm sure exactly how to get the wires set up, I don't do that that much and it was such a straight forward process that I didn't need to study up, just went through the instructions.

I would recommend putting in a differnt Head unit though, the stock one is fragile and obviously (as yours doesn't eject) subject to problems. Mine had the plastic snap apart during the removal and that was the whole reason I had to go get a new one. Hope this helps a bit.