Installing a New Radio in the 1988 Ford Ranger, Sony MEXGS810BH

[@scottlorenz6192]

Just bought myself a 1992 Ford Ranger that needs some work done to it. My first truck. Love your station keep up the good work.

[@radozeman]

Should be fun to work on! Thanks!

[@dustinkey8885]

​@@radozemanred goes to the key yellow goes to the battery black goes to ground

[@skylerschiefelbein5134]

Love the videos! Really enjoy the American Truck Simulator videos, keep up the great work!

[@radozeman]

Thanks!

[@jonathanbryan7691]

All I wanted to see was the dash face being taken apart, oh well!

[@radozeman]

Just pry the trim pieces off, then there is 4 screws along the top and 4 that were hiding under the trim.

[@el_maestro501]

Jonathan Bryan IKR. same here

[@lomgshorts3]

Just sling it under the dash like a CB!

[@donovanrape9812]

I just changed mine the wire harness you got to change the one blue wire and it was pretty easy to install the new radio

[@anthonydavis7971]

All I need was the dash disassembly thanks bud you helped a lot

[@BudgetingwithFalyssa]

I haven't gotten around to replacing my radio. Stock Mustang stereo with both a CD player and cassette deck. CD player works, barely. Laser is getting worn out. Cassette player has an adaptor in to allow for phone use. Still need to decide what I want as far as a head unit goes because I can get the double din display.

[@radozeman]

Nice, I was looking at some of the double din radios, but obviously don't have the area to put something like that in.

[@BudgetingwithFalyssa]

Well... in a way, you do have space for a double din, but that would involve an a/c and heater delete. But whats the point in being miserable??

[@radozeman]

I thought about that, move climate "control" controls down to the little tray. Seemed like too much work, would have been cool though.

[@BudgetingwithFalyssa]

I mean, looking at the setup, that isnt a race truck, its a daily driver, right? Also, have you checked to make sure that the back right speaker isnt busted? If its staticy, there could be a short in the wire or even a blown speaker. My rear left gets fuzzy if I crank it beyond half way, but not to the point of replacing.

[@radozeman]

Correct, daily driver. I haven't looked into the rear speakers yet, probably a this weekend project looking into those.

[@ryancarr2028]

Yellow is the permanent live from the battery. Red is the live from the ignition switch. And black is negative

[@radozeman]

Any idea what the orange/black one is then? It is a positive as well when the ignition is on.

[@Delekham]

This is hypothetical, but the reason (and it makes sense to me) there was no black wire, is that the Stock radio/cassette player was grounded by the metal brackets and the four screws. Since the new adapter is made of plastic they need a ground wire. The orange/black wire was also showing 12-ish volts. I can not say for sure, but my guess is that is the ACC. The yellow wire keeps all your programming (radio stations and clock and possibly Bluetooth) The Red wire is for when the vehicle is running of course. Process of elimination means the Orange/Black is for Accessory. That is my guess. I am far from being an Electrician.

[@radozeman]

That is the part I am trying to figure why would there be 2 acc? Both red and the orange are hot in run.

[@radozeman]

On the good side, everything seems to be working, I do need to address the rear speakers as they seem to be staticy.

[@Delekham]

TBH, there needs to be two hot-wires. The yellow wire is to keep all the programming active. The red is to give power once the key is turned on. The Orange/Black wire should give power in both circumstances, the the key is turned on and also in Acc mode. Since you are running a 12 volt system, there is not problem....IF you were running a 24 Volt system then there would be a problem. As for the staticy speaker, Two possibilities. A bad connection, or a faulty speaker. IF both are staticy, then it is bad connection, quite possibly a ground. I know very little about Fords speakers since I have never taken one apart. GM had only one connector for factory speakers.

[@nathanielarias3411]

How did you get the front panel off..I see four screws up top but can’t find the remaining

[@radozeman]

Pull the narrow trim off, it just pulls off and behind it are more screws

[@kyleyost9977]

What are the color on that power side I lost you on the colors while you were doing that I’m having the same problem

[@joe3973]

Where are the screws located did you prying out the radio panel ?

[@michaelpalmisano6788]

Not all wires are needed. You do not have the premium radio in that truck. Your wires from the deck are as followed.. yellow is battery which is constant 12 volts no matter what position the key is in. Red wire from deck is 12volts ace which means that wire will have 12 volts when key is in acc position but 0 volts with key off. Black from deck is ground negative which you can ground to anything metal to the chassis . Your orange wires are irrelevant they do not need to be connected , they are for illumination and dimmer . Blue/white wire us for external amp which you not using so that wire isn't used. Solid blue wire if it's present is for antenna .

[@radozeman]

Ah thanks!

[@joshuadannais]

Hey RDAllen, what are the two rocker switches for on the trim just to the right of the steering wheel? When I bought my 87 turbo diesel ranger it had two just like those already installed. I figured out one is for the fog lights but can't figure out what the other one goes to. Thanks

[@radozeman]

These are switches I installed, and yes one is for Fog lights and the other one in my case is for a light bar.

[@jamesprice6381]

one word.................CRUTCHFIELD...............................

[@FFAcod]

I just wanted to see you take the dash trim off.

[@radozeman]

It just pulls off, just take it slow.

[@austingaither4686]

Where did he get the harness from? I'm working on a similar project and need one really bad.

[@radozeman]

Ebay

[@that1kidjr]

@@radozeman Do you have the link for the correct one? Same thing happened to me, and they sent one that doesn't fit.

[@EdwardZNorton]

Nice radio, that blows my Sony xplode outta the water. You should put a good set of tens behind the seat to replace the rear speakers

[@radozeman]

It would sound good with some 10s! And probably some better front speakers.

[@EdwardZNorton]

If you get some subs get a good 800 amp to power em

[@winslowlybbert]

Edward Z Norton no

[@albertofierro664]

Hi,how can you replace the oil pan gasket in a 1986 ranger 4x4 looks kind of tricky ,4x4 is on the way ,any input,thx 2.9l engine same as yours

[@radozeman]

Ha that is an excellent question! I'd like to know as well, I damaged the gasket when I replaced the timing chain. No easy way that I know of, looks like you have to pull the motor. There's some gimmicky ways but I couldn't get any of them to work.

[@TyBudAdventures]

Take the motor mount bolts off lift the motor as far as your able to with a picker and get to work. Should be just enough space to finegal the pan out and the new one in for damaged pans.

[@albertofierro664]

@@TyBudAdventures is this method works for a 4x4? looks pretty tight

[@TyBudAdventures]

@@albertofierro664 it should give you about 5 inches of clearance. if you need more you will have to disconnect o2 ground, and chassis ground at the back of the upper intake then unbolt trans, remove radiator, slide motor forward till it slips off the trans (I have the FM 146 5 speed) raise motor ab 10-12 inches remove ur pan and slap a new one should take you about 6 hours or less. Ive rebuilt the motor twice due to pushing it hard off-road and in the mud its been great this second time though! It is not a difficult motor to pull rebuild and install and doing the pan should not be that difficult either just think through it and plan well.

[@albertofierro664]

@@TyBudAdventures thx buddy I'll take a deep look before starting, I'm not good with mayor car repairs just replacing simple things plugs, brakes , ball joint but remove transmission etc kind of too much I'll show this info to my buddy and we can go from there ,thx for your time and info 🤙

[@Justin-qe8kj]

Hey do mine has a red wire bolted to the back. What is it?

[@radozeman]

To the back? If it is to the case, only thing I can think of would be ground/negative.

[@chriscreech6349]

i have a 1985 ford ranger could i pry the trim off like your 88? it had a older style cd player in it thats worn out if i bought a new one would the old cd player connecter fit the new cd player or would i still need to splice them?

[@radozeman]

I think it is the same for the trim as far as I know, you'll probably have to splice the wires though.

[@emman5830]

Hello did you ever figure out your stereo ? I’m working on a 84 ranger and someone messed with it before and it haven’t got the stereo to turn on .

[@emman5830]

Can either one of you help

[@clydedecker765]

I have this Ford Ranger extended cab V6 - the radio's not premium in any way and I suspect the antenna is not connected in the back. My manual stinks but I see a reference to a special removal tool ... You didn't show that nor how you got the dash panels off. That wiring thing is a nightmare - I will not be trying your method cuz it was totally disorganized and inconclusive. Help?

[@clydedecker765]

Oh -- and it IS a 1988 model.

[@radozeman]

No, I did not need any special tools to remove anything, the main dash panel is held on by 8 screws, the trim pieces hide 4 of the screws and you can just pry them off carefully. The radio was held in with 4 screws and just slides out. If you have an electrical test you should be able to figure out the wiring easily. I didn't have to do anything with the speaker side of the wiring just connected the "Ford" connector the new radios connector with butt connectors, they were all color coded and matched exactly. The trouble part was figuring out were all the hot wires were connected as they did not match up exactly and best I can tell the trucks connector has an extra hot wire that I have no idea what is for.

[@clydedecker765]

Mine has a clock function that needs the power so ....

[@fernandorubio9268]

I want the oldest radio. How much??

[@radozeman]

It's long gone sorry.

[@Diego-w1l5p]

If you’re still looking fir a old radio in these trucks i have mine that I’ve been meaning on swapping out it works fine

[@matthewtitterington1227]

can someone break this down green and yellow =yellow yellow black =red black =?? is there a wire for ground my head unit turns on when I hook it to the batt. but not working in the car

[@radozeman]

Yes there is a ground, there’s a ground connection below the radio you can connect to

[@matthewtitterington1227]

what wires went where mines not working

[@gregorysmith3913]

Hello RDAllen! Do you have a video on how to access the front speakers (in the dashboard)? Thanks!

[@radozeman]

I do not yet. They still seem to be working.

[@Bird76Mojo76]

Go to TheRangerStation.com for those answers..

[@obiedientservent]

Oh and the make and model of that adapter wires

[@joshuamatteson9462]

Can I buy that original radio from you?

[@radozeman]

Sorry I threw it away a long time ago

[@joshuamatteson9462]

Do you know any one that has that same radio with slight problems because I will work on one if they want less then 100 for it

[@radozeman]

@@joshuamatteson9462 eBay?

[@joshuamatteson9462]

Stupid expensive for one that is in perfect working condition and i fix one cheaper than buying it there

[@joshuamatteson9462]

Do you know where they sell radios that are messed up like the one you had?

[@jessenp20162725]

What other mods are you planning for your pickup?

[@radozeman]

Nothing else yet.

[@zarancebillington7101]

Is your truck a standard or automatic

[@radozeman]

Automatic!

[@dakotamarr8099]

I just sold my truck same year everything and same color inside

[@gunthere2278]

Is it a Delco?

[@radozeman]

The old radio?

[@gunthere2278]

@@radozeman yes

[@aaronanstett6622]

I will never recommend Sony head units again and I've had two now. My 88 Ranger I bought has an aftermarket Sony unit in it and it's the second one I have had. Sony head units are LOUSY. Yes, you read right, they are lousy. I will never buy another Sony head unit again. No no, I'm not referring to the sound quality. I'm referring to their lousy controls and quirks. Whenever I press a volume knob, I expect it to mute or pause. Does the Sony? It does not, it goes into options. Zap mode? Useless. I don't need it. Whenever I'm adjusting the volume, if I happen to hit a bump in the road, I'd often slip and press zap or the volume button, now I have to fuss with backing out of options or zap mode. No, the controls are anything but intuitive. I had a higher end one in a Jeep once and the same problems happened, and after a while that one would make beeping noises as though I were pressing buttons whenever I'd hit a bump in the road. Junk. On the other side of this, I have an 88 Ranger with the exact same setup inside as yours. Love my truck!

[@dayton.adviento]

classic

[@radozeman]

yep

[@lomgshorts3]

Send me your old radio for repair and it will be used in my 1990 Ford Ranger! I fix them from tube to transistor! Tape deck, cd, or usb.

[@egartkw]

Email me about fixing these radios, I have questions for you! [e-mail]

[@edwardsandoval1550]

This guys doesnt even seem to know what he's doing

[@jaycefranzen5737]

Hey randy could u play farming simulator on Xbox one

[@radozeman]

I do not have an Xbox one.

[@braydonmichealgrimes4913]

How is it like being a KZbinr

[@radozeman]

A lot of fun, but also a lot of work!

[@bman9938]

This isn’t brain surgery

[@562skillz]

Wow what a newbie 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@luarm1247]

Yo tengo una

[@duckiemf1978]

So useless. Radio is the easy part just not trying to brake the dash. A 0 from me

[@TyBudAdventures]

Figure it out bud

[@jackalblood-bourne6622]

Another guy taking something simple and making it complicated. Those harnesses are "plug and play" I have done quite a few Ford's. If you would only had plugged it up and left the connector alone guess what? Radio would have came on first try. No offense man but if your going to do that with everything you do you are either really stupid, or just like making things simple turn into a nightmare

[@radozeman]

So simple in fact that the harness does not fit in the radio, nor does the adpater I bought that was supposed to adapt from my trucks connection to the new radio. So just a suggestion, before you open your flap and insert your foot next time and make your self look like a complete idiot you check your information.

[@kevindavis4709]

The big black plug on that harness is for 2000 up too 2010 Ford male radio plug. Just cut that off use those two female plugs too plug in your 89 up too 2000 male Ford radio wiring harness.