Any know is this will fit?

[Marauder]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2481664421&category=38640&sspagename=WDVW

Just curious because I'm a fan of the OEM look. My friend has an Expedition with a huge sound system all running off of the OEM head unit. :D

[rookie1]

fit won't be a problem, don't know if it will work with the steering wheel controls though

[Marauder]

fit won't be a problem, don't know if it will work with the steering wheel controls though

That's true....what about the sub?

[Logan]

You won't be able to use the sub, the connector's not there. To be honest, the connector looks different. I've got an OEM Marauder unit on my shelf in the garage, I'll check it for you.

[mmmmmmarauder]

Finally, we are back to Marauder related topics...

I happen to know a little something about home stereo
and consider myself an audiophile...

In fact, I have never heard a car stereo I thought even
APPROACHED the emotion of an electrostatic home speaker
and tube amplifiers (those in the know, know what I mean)...

OK, back to earth...to do the Marauder stereo acceptably,
the ONLY way to make it sound right while using the OEM
head unit (which I think looks and fits as it should) is to
get inside the schematics of the internal head unit and bypass
the internal amplifier and come out with two RCA cable line level
outputs...has ANYONE done this?

Does anyone know how to?

Does anyone know or care what I am talking about???

What I am proposing would render all discussion about aftermarket
head units and steering wheel control adaptors obsolete...

PLEASE COMMENT


Peter
greekchicago@hotmail.com:stupi d:

[Marauder]

You won't be able to use the sub, the connector's not there. To be honest, the connector looks different. I've got an OEM Marauder unit on my shelf in the garage, I'll check it for you.

cool...thanx for the info Logan.

[drgnrdr33]

Finally, we are back to Marauder related topics...

I happen to know a little something about home stereo
and consider myself an audiophile...

In fact, I have never heard a car stereo I thought even
APPROACHED the emotion of an electrostatic home speaker
and tube amplifiers (those in the know, know what I mean)...

OK, back to earth...to do the Marauder stereo acceptably,
the ONLY way to make it sound right while using the OEM
head unit (which I think looks and fits as it should) is to
get inside the schematics of the internal head unit and bypass
the internal amplifier and come out with two RCA cable line level
outputs...has ANYONE done this?

Does anyone know how to?

Does anyone know or care what I am talking about???

What I am proposing would render all discussion about aftermarket
head units and steering wheel control adaptors obsolete...

PLEASE COMMENT


Peter
greekchicago@hotmail.com:stupi d:

I like the idea, though I think it would be nice to have 5 RCA outs to cover each speaker and the sub. Not sure if this is possible. It would be much harder to do w/o schematics but enough tinkering with an o'scope peering at the radio innards and it could be figured out. Anyone know someone on the engineering team @ Ford or Alpine who could provide schematics?

I'm not sure the time required for figuring this out w/o schematics would be worth the sound improvement compared to the simplicity of using level converters on the speaker outs and feeding a decent aftermarket amp.

Other threads mention how much better aftermaket AM/FM receivers are than stock. Try to replace this and you might as well go for an aftermarket head unit and forget the steering wheel controls.

[Donny Carlson]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2481664421&category=38640&sspagename=WDVW

Just curious because I'm a fan of the OEM look. My friend has an Expedition with a huge sound system all running off of the OEM head unit. :DIt's a head unit out of a 2004 Ranger. My bet is no - notice the shape of the head unit is larger at the top than the bottom. I'm betting the cable is different, too.


Honestly? If you are trying to find something to play MP3's out of your car, I suggest getting an MP3 keg (Kenwood makes a fine unit) and using an interface cable from P.I.E. or Blitzsafe to connect to your OEM head unit. You can also interface an Apple Ipod, or the MP3 player sold by Dell. Both have car kits. Another alternative is an aftermarket CD changer that can handle mp3 files on CD's. Again, Blitzsafe and P.I.E. both make interface cables that will work with our cars.

The Ebay head unit and a shot of a 2004 Ranger with the head unit:

[MarauderMark]

Honestly? If you are trying to find something to play MP3's out of your car, I suggest getting an MP3 keg (Kenwood makes a fine unit) and using an interface cable from P.I.E. or Blitzsafe to connect to your OEM head unit. You can also interface an Apple Ipod, or the MP3 player sold by Dell. Both have car kits. Another alternative is an aftermarket CD changer that can handle mp3 files on CD's. Again, Blitzsafe and P.I.E. both make interface cables that will work with our cars.



will the steering controls still work?

[Donny Carlson]

will the steering controls still work?
Yes. The interface cables will send the signal from the keg (or changer or MP3 player) up through the data cable as if it were coming from the OEM changer. The display on the OEM head unit will show "CD1 TRACK 1" and play whatever you are sending. The steering wheel controls will allow you to change volume and select another input (radio, indash CD) and you should be able to switch back to the CD changer when you want. The control for the unit will be mounted somewhere, and should be within easy reach or have it's own remote.

[MarauderMark]

[QUOTE=Donny Carlson]Yes. QUOTE]



Thank you for the info... :up:

[01 Interceptor]

I have a Mach MP3 head unit in my '01 CVPI. There is a plug to accomodate the steering wheel controls as well as the factory amp (if so equipped.) I have an MTX Thunder 6500D amp powering a JL12w6 subwoofer. I had to splice into the rear signal wires to do so, and then use a converter from the wire to RCA. It sounds excellent. MP3s are so much easier to deal with, no fiddling around with CD after CD. Just place the some files in separate folders, so you don't have to hunt for certain songs. :D I thought about getting a steering wheel with the redundant stereo controls, but the wiring nightmare in the steering column and behind the dash turned me off to that idea, so only cruise control for me!

The factory look is a great way to stay, less tempting for a would-be thief. Good luck in your search!

[RCSignals]

Yes. The interface cables will send the signal from the keg (or changer or MP3 player) up through the data cable as if it were coming from the OEM changer. The display on the OEM head unit will show "CD1 TRACK 1" and play whatever you are sending. The steering wheel controls will allow you to change volume and select another input (radio, indash CD) and you should be able to switch back to the CD changer when you want. The control for the unit will be mounted somewhere, and should be within easy reach or have it's own remote.
As I understand, that's correct, the Marauder head unit will control stereo equipment like that. It has the newer plug system.

[Marauder]

Thanks for the great info guys.....you just gave me more options. :up: