I have a '96 xl and really don't listen to the radio that much, It's a standard am/fm with door speakers. I would like to plug in a ipod to play but I want a stereo that looks as if it belongs and has always been there. My question, is there a company that makes stereos that look like period style radios and offer modern playability? Any information would be helpful.
Thanks.

 

I've seen factory stereos with a aux port added on ebay. Have also seen a fake cover that sits in front of the stereo but thats more theft deterent.

 

Does it have a tape player? If it does (like mine) find one of those old school tapes that plug into the headphone jack of a Walkman! Remember Walkmans? It still works with iPhones! If yours doesn't have that... You could find one at a junkyard that does have a tape deck.

 

Look for an old but good (1988- 1998, aftermarket, at least 20 watts per channel ) deck on fleabay. (tape player + tape adaper = ipod plug in

 

at walmart they have a pioneer cd player that comes with 4 speakers on sale for 99 dollars that would do what you want.

 

Take a look at crutchfield.com. You can also txt them with your wishes and they will respond back with recommendations for you to consider. No pressure to buy from them but they are very helpful.

 

Yea, no tape player. We do that in my sons explorer. And I think we still have a walkman here somewhere.

Is fleabay a site, or a play on words?

I assume later model stereos don't fit a '96 hole. Has anyone tried that? I like the original looking equipment over aftermarket.

 

Whatever you do, don't do the wireless fm transmitter. I've had a dozen or so from various companies and they all seem to sound terrific for the first few times I used them. Then they seem to start picking up strange alien type contacts and whistling from other planets. Lol.
I've got one now that I paid $50+ for and it now picks up the electrical noise from my phone charger. Unplug the phone charger and it sounds great. Plug it up and you have to put up with a God Awful whine and digital processing sound. Year one makes aftermarket, factory look stereos with hidden or remote accessory ports, but only in early model styles such as mustangs and camaros.

 

Fleabay = ebay

motors.ebay.com look at the parts section. if you have to have a stock radio with a tape player, you can use one from a 1988-1996 pick up, a 1993-1994 ranger, almost any 1989-1995 ford/mercury with the same size radio that you have (pre 1997 escort, contour, sable. WITHOUT premium sound) think junkyard lol.

car-part.com (you can find used parts and local junkyards on this site)