My Parents just picked up a Linclon Town Car (2001) and it only has AM/FM & Cassette. They want to have a 6 changer CD player added to the package. Not known if a premium package is installed yet.
I am assuming nothing here as I have not checked out what this package has in terms of potential upgrades. I will be looking into this shortly but am hoping the present system is all prewired for CD changer add on already??? Just get the changer, install the prewired data link and power, mount in trunk, then hit the select source button off they go???
Do I have to use a Ford OEM Changer only here or are there other options that do not require pulling the stock HU and and installing Aftermarket? This present system does have HU controls on the steering wheel and they wish to keep that feature.
Comments... suggestions?
Swez
PS This is not my forte, so I do want to know my options before diving in... Tks!
Replies (10)
ttocs on 09/7/2003 13:17:25
if it has cd chngr controlls you can get a adaptor from pereiferal(sp?) that plugs into the factory deck, or factory cable, and will then normally plug into a panasonic or alpine cd chngr. send me an e-mail if you have troubles finding one. The shop I started at carries them and I could help you out.
Swez on 09/7/2003 13:37:32
Hey thanks for the fast reply... will look this system over cloesly and report my findings... then we can take it from there.
Again... TY!
Swez
carfreak on 09/7/2003 21:14:48
Could You not use a aftermarket Changer that has a FM modulator? Or is that not what you want ? I am not even sure how they work . I have just heard that they run off of a Fm Freq on you deck.
Swez on 09/8/2003 07:11:49
Yes, FM modulated versions are possible here... but I know my parents are not up on such toys and techs... they are 70 + years old and basically techology confounded.
Will stick with the hardwired unit as that is what they want. But ,the modulator wll work, but I hear that the CD loses some of it frequency range due to FM modulation and perhaps some compression. Dunno?
Swez
Tray on 09/8/2003 09:19:51
The music loses so much sound quality when you use the RF module, it is ridiculous.
I'd definately look into the factory option if at all possible.
What I've found when looking for CD changer options is that the HU needs to have a button for 'CD', or it will not have the harness plug in the rear of the HU, nor the functionality to control a CD changer. Depending on what the 'rents are looking for, you have a few options.
Visteon makes a 'premium' player which is a 6 disk changer within the HU itself.
Upgrading to a factory deck which has CD changer controls would be as easy as removing existing, replacing, and then running the cable to the trunk for the new changer.
I don't know what your parents are looking to invest in this upgrade, but it may be more economical to look for an aftermarket HU/changer combo, and get the adapter which allows the use of steering wheel controls.
Swez on 09/8/2003 10:33:39
Thanks Tray... just what I needed to know and yes, this existing HU does have a CD conrol button on it already so just a matter of what...
1. Getting the cable link and a factory (aftermarket) changer
2. Remove HU and run cable from Player (in trunk mount)
3. Hook up and test before hiding all wiring etc.
Am hoping that is all that is needed here and they are "willing" to pay for a factory CD player... but I may lead them into Alpine or the like if link and functions are compatible. If I can buy a better unit that drops right into factor HU... cheaper and such... that will fly.
Probably do this within 2 weeks or so...
ttocs, ever pull a factory CD player system out (cable and all) and keep them on hand for resale. I would consider buying a clean used one if the price is right....
This is the Ford Premium Series HU... not Alpine version... bummer!
Comments?
Swez
ttocs on 09/8/2003 11:28:14
it is possible the new shop could have one in the stockroom. I will check into it.
Swez on 09/8/2003 11:32:48
Great... thanks for the efforts
Swez
compvr15s on 09/10/2003 00:14:34
bummer,too bad you wernt looking for this like a month ago. i dunno if it would have worked or not but my neighbor and i removed his ford f150 head unit and 6 disc changer, he sold it for like 75 dollars, i told him to get more for it since dealerships want like 375 jus for the head unit part and probably another 150 or so for the changer, but he dont have it anymore but im sure we coulda worked sumtin out
Swez on 09/10/2003 17:38:42
Oh well.... thanks for thinking of me... (in an Eyour voice)
Probably look at aftermarket here if I can find one that links up properly with the stock Ford HU.
Swez
I am assuming nothing here as I have not checked out what this package has in terms of potential upgrades. I will be looking into this shortly but am hoping the present system is all prewired for CD changer add on already??? Just get the changer, install the prewired data link and power, mount in trunk, then hit the select source button off they go???
Do I have to use a Ford OEM Changer only here or are there other options that do not require pulling the stock HU and and installing Aftermarket? This present system does have HU controls on the steering wheel and they wish to keep that feature.
Comments... suggestions?
Swez
PS This is not my forte, so I do want to know my options before diving in... Tks!
Replies (10)
ttocs on 09/7/2003 13:17:25
if it has cd chngr controlls you can get a adaptor from pereiferal(sp?) that plugs into the factory deck, or factory cable, and will then normally plug into a panasonic or alpine cd chngr. send me an e-mail if you have troubles finding one. The shop I started at carries them and I could help you out.
Swez on 09/7/2003 13:37:32
Hey thanks for the fast reply... will look this system over cloesly and report my findings... then we can take it from there.
Again... TY!
Swez
carfreak on 09/7/2003 21:14:48
Could You not use a aftermarket Changer that has a FM modulator? Or is that not what you want ? I am not even sure how they work . I have just heard that they run off of a Fm Freq on you deck.
Swez on 09/8/2003 07:11:49
Yes, FM modulated versions are possible here... but I know my parents are not up on such toys and techs... they are 70 + years old and basically techology confounded.
Will stick with the hardwired unit as that is what they want. But ,the modulator wll work, but I hear that the CD loses some of it frequency range due to FM modulation and perhaps some compression. Dunno?
Swez
Tray on 09/8/2003 09:19:51
The music loses so much sound quality when you use the RF module, it is ridiculous.
I'd definately look into the factory option if at all possible.
What I've found when looking for CD changer options is that the HU needs to have a button for 'CD', or it will not have the harness plug in the rear of the HU, nor the functionality to control a CD changer. Depending on what the 'rents are looking for, you have a few options.
Visteon makes a 'premium' player which is a 6 disk changer within the HU itself.
Upgrading to a factory deck which has CD changer controls would be as easy as removing existing, replacing, and then running the cable to the trunk for the new changer.
I don't know what your parents are looking to invest in this upgrade, but it may be more economical to look for an aftermarket HU/changer combo, and get the adapter which allows the use of steering wheel controls.
Swez on 09/8/2003 10:33:39
Thanks Tray... just what I needed to know and yes, this existing HU does have a CD conrol button on it already so just a matter of what...
1. Getting the cable link and a factory (aftermarket) changer
2. Remove HU and run cable from Player (in trunk mount)
3. Hook up and test before hiding all wiring etc.
Am hoping that is all that is needed here and they are "willing" to pay for a factory CD player... but I may lead them into Alpine or the like if link and functions are compatible. If I can buy a better unit that drops right into factor HU... cheaper and such... that will fly.
Probably do this within 2 weeks or so...
ttocs, ever pull a factory CD player system out (cable and all) and keep them on hand for resale. I would consider buying a clean used one if the price is right....
This is the Ford Premium Series HU... not Alpine version... bummer!
Comments?
Swez
ttocs on 09/8/2003 11:28:14
it is possible the new shop could have one in the stockroom. I will check into it.
Swez on 09/8/2003 11:32:48
Great... thanks for the efforts
Swez
compvr15s on 09/10/2003 00:14:34
bummer,too bad you wernt looking for this like a month ago. i dunno if it would have worked or not but my neighbor and i removed his ford f150 head unit and 6 disc changer, he sold it for like 75 dollars, i told him to get more for it since dealerships want like 375 jus for the head unit part and probably another 150 or so for the changer, but he dont have it anymore but im sure we coulda worked sumtin out
Swez on 09/10/2003 17:38:42
Oh well.... thanks for thinking of me... (in an Eyour voice)
Probably look at aftermarket here if I can find one that links up properly with the stock Ford HU.
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
