How to Double din stereo/radio on 2003-11 Grand Marquis, Crown Victoria,

[@ffas23]

I purchased a Kenwood DMX7704X for a 2006 Corvette that I own but I am having 2nd thoughts as to installing it in that car and taking the Factory Chevrolet GPS Radio CD/DVD Player out of it trying to keep it original plus I don't drive the car that much. So I have been kicking it around to install the Kenwood in my 2000 Mercury Marquis my main vehicle for everyday because of the Apple Play feature in the Kenwood and just remove the Mercury Factory Cassette/Am/Fm Radio from the car. The dash set up is the same as a 2003-2011 Mercury Marquis but I read on Crutchfield that it won't fit. It is double Dinn like yours . Guess I will need to take it out of the box and just pull the factory radio out of the Marquis and see if I can make it fit as I have done with Car Stereo's in the past. I hate the idea of having to grind off all that excess material just in case I was to sell the car down the road where I could just put the orginal back in the car.

[@Superado2006]

1992-2002 Ford's and Merc's had a defrost duct that interferes with the double din, it can still be done by swapping ducts, or by heating it up with a heat gun to reshape it to clear the stereo... check out my post on the forum, others posted links to help 1992-2002 owners. www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3673898

[@ffas23]

@@Superado2006 I already had the tools that release the Radio from the dash being I purchase them for a Ford Van years ago. I had pulled the Radio out and did a test fit with my Kenwood before I saw you answered me back here. Could see right away I need to Dremel the top and bottom opening no big deal but I also saw the slanted duct that will not let the radio go in all the way. Funny many years ago back in the 70's I had a Corvette with the same problem being back then I was installing a 8 Track in a '72 Corvette and they didn't come with them back then. I ended up taking the heater duct out and had plenty of room but I wanted heat working the correct way then so I remember cutting the ducts width to make it smaller and I fiberglassed it closed again which gave me plenty of room but I always smelled the smell of Fiberglass Resin when turning the heat on in that car. I like the idea of using a heat gun. I guess I could do that and use the back of a wood handled hammer to collapse that duct some hoping that would do the trick. Looks like it might be a tough job getting to that piece to replace it with a later duct from a newer Marquis. Have you read of anyone replacing it and what trouble they may of had? Just curious before I start this job. Looks like I only need to order a Mantra 70-1771 Radio Wiring Harness 16 pin for my 2000 Merc. Shouldn't need anything else I am guessing being there is only one harness coming from the dash into the factory radio.

[@Superado2006]

@@ffas23 Sounds like you have it pretty well figured out. I haven't looked into replacing the duct so I wouldn't know about that. I would just heat it up and clearance as you described.

[@ffas23]

@@Superado2006 I got the Kenwood in today. A lot of grinding and heating the heater duct and using the back of a large hammer to try to reform it while heating it with my heat gun. Trick was to push the new Radio in while it was still on the hot side in the end. I did that and got it where I want it for the time being. It should re-form the duct now as it cools down and sits with the radio in position. Waiting for the Mantra 70-1771 Wire Harness coming from Ebay. Surprised the Kenwood fit so well. At one point I didn't think I was going to be able to push the radio in enough to look right. Spacing is great on Top and not bad on the bottom. Sides a little more of a gap but I will do what I did with that old Corvette I mentioned about above and probably use some Automotive Vacuum Hose to fill in any gaps. It works on some cars where you can't tell there is any spacing and it cleans up nice looking like part of the dash. There was no way I could of used any kind of a facial kit in this installation from what I could see. Hey thanks for responding back to me right away today. You put out a nice Video and believe it or not it was helpful in my situation.

[@nathanmartineau3998]

What kit did you get for this with the side plates cause I can’t find them anywhere

[@Superado2006]

Metra 95-5817 it's in the video.

[@jeffflowers729]

just a suggestion, it's in snug but what if you still used those side plates but busted off the locking tabs so it's not stuck in there? Might just look slightly nicer finish.

[@Superado2006]

I did install the side plates after.

[@robertnewhook5115]

Does the steering wheel volume control still work with that harness?

[@Superado2006]

Robert Newhook my car didn't come with steering wheel mounted radio controls so I wouldn't know about that.

[@devariusdixon6910]

I have and kenwood about the same size but it will not go in all the way like that it sticks out about 3 inches

[@Superado2006]

Is yours older then 2003?

[@chrisoconnor3119]

You have to cut the plastic that the back of the receiver at the bottom i read. There is a section in the dash deep back you need to cut supposedly

[@chevy2599]

Only short chassis double Dins will fit into 1997-2002 Grand marquis. With that, it'll only be digital music and video thru USB stick. Not cd or dvds.

[@edwinalramsey7107]

Why is my Bluetooth stereo system draining my battery?

[@Superado2006]

If you have it run with constant power it could drain the Battery. But thats not an issue if you use the harness adapter and follow the instructions, so that it is wired correctly.

[@liverslap8249]

What model is the new radio?

[@Superado2006]

Liver Slap I clearly showed the model in the video, it is a JVC KW-V220BT but of course any double din will fit.

[@BvbJude]

Did you have to do any complicated wiring ?

[@Superado2006]

Corey Lawson Not at all, I used the wire harness adapter to plug into the factory wiring. On the radio side, it is simple, just match the colors.

[@BvbJude]

Ok gotcha. I've never done this before so I need help haha. Does that stereo come with everything you need to install it? And do you like that stereo? Like would you recommend that I get the one you installed in this video?

[@Superado2006]

Corey Lawson You need to buy the harness separately, I show the part numbers and brands in the video. Also I like my stereo, it has been great to me, but that's just my opinion. What you should buy is up to you.

[@BvbJude]

Cool man. thanks for the info! Keep up the good work!

[@BvbJude]

Where did you connect the ground wire? Did you just connect to the ground wire on the harness or did you connect them to a bolt or something inside the car

[@mrstealyogurl07]

What kind of tool did you use to saw it down

[@Superado2006]

nique l Just a rotary dremel tool, it was pretty easy.

[@bossmino36]

What size is your radio?

[@Superado2006]

Double-din or 2-din, whatever they call the double size.

[@hnic2k7]

What are the dimensions of the player?

[@Superado2006]

Bj Bj 7-1/16'' x 3-15/16'' x 6-7/16'' (178 x 100 x 162mm)

[@Fett-bt2rc]

Was the a/c vent in the way of the back of the unit?

[@Superado2006]

Fett2083 no the A/C was not in the way at all. I believe that is only a problem with the 2002 and older models.

[@threr9]

Superado2006 is there a way to install the double din in the 2001 model without losing my A/C?

[@Superado2006]

Darrius Hall Sorry, I'm not sure. I obviously only have experience with the 03+

[@52YOUNGHOGGHGC]

How do you install a double din in the 1993 model

[@Superado2006]

52YOUNGHOGGHGC not really sure, never done it. This video is for 2003 and newer.

[@darrylthedrywaller3362]

You wanna part with your old factory radio?

[@Superado2006]

Darryl The Drywaller how much is it with to you?

[@chrisoconnor3119]

I have one that is a 6 disc factory im willing to sell ya

[@tjeffers97]

So how do you get it out?

[@Superado2006]

Watch my other video...

[@tjeffers97]

I meant the double din

[@Superado2006]

@@tjeffers97 it will just pull out if you use a little strength. It's in there snug but not locked in our anything.