# What radios are compatible with a 97 Ford Explorer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 2, 2006, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830 "2006-03-02T22:53:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830/1 "2006-03-02T22:53:55Z")
I know very little about installing radios in cars. But the radio in my 1997 Ford Explorer konked out and I need to get another. I can go on ebay and find the stock radio of course. But what if I wanted to buy another? Would it be hard to match up the wires in the back and mount the radio in the car? Is there a database or some way I can check what other radios I could get and easily install myself? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830/2 "2006-03-02T23:56:07Z")
Since your car is relatively new, it probably has ISO connectors like this: [http://www.siocommunications.co.uk/Forum\_Pics/ISO\_Tel\_Mutes.jpg](http://www.siocommunications.co.uk/Forum_Pics/ISO_Tel_Mutes.jpg) You simply remove the old unit and put the cables at the new one. All you might need is a converter for the antenna cable like [this](http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/images2/ISO_TS29P.jpg) or [this](http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/images2/ISO_TS29C.jpg). But all kind of problems might arise if the old radio is integrated into the car console, or there are radio controls on the steering wheel, etc. In that case I strongly recomend to have a professional install the new radio. ---
**Author:** ![St.Urho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830/3 "2006-03-02T23:56:49Z")
Check here at [Crutchfield.com](http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7aJrtTPr7Af/cgi-bin/autoinfo/autoinfo.asp?cm_re_o=gzy5yBp_B0*ctzfubflFYgzy*ctzfubflFYgzy). It’s not to big a deal to install most stereos, unless you’ve got amps or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830/4 "2006-03-03T04:07:07Z")
If your Ford has one of the double DIN units with twin hole retainer clips, changing the radio will take less time than it’s taking me to type this. Swapped my stock AM/FM cass for AM/FM/cass/CD in less than a minute. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830/5 "2006-03-03T05:53:04Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > If your Ford has one of the double DIN units with twin hole retainer clips, changing the radio will take less time than it’s taking me to type this. Swapped my stock AM/FM cass for AM/FM/cass/CD in less than a minute. DIN…? ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830/6 "2006-03-03T06:07:10Z")
[DIN Plug.](http://www.pw-electronics.co.uk/Connectors_files/Photos/8%20Pin%20DIN%20Plug.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-radios-are-compatible-with-a-97-ford-explorer/346830/7 "2006-03-03T12:58:24Z")
> [@St. Urho](#): > > Check here at [Crutchfield.com](http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7aJrtTPr7Af/cgi-bin/autoinfo/autoinfo.asp?cm_re_o=gzy5yBp_B0*ctzfubflFYgzy*ctzfubflFYgzy). It’s not to big a deal to install most stereos, unless you’ve got amps or something like that. Go to Crutchfield. They will be able to supply you with the radio, the cables, the adapters and the proper mounting plates along with installation instructions for all of it. If a problem crops up you can talk to a human being who will walk you through it. While the process is never painless, they can make it as easy as possible.