Aftermarket radio for 99 Ford Ranger / Mazda B2500

Question: I'm looking to add an aftermarket in-dash radio to my 99
Mazda B2500 (cosmetically identical to 99 Ford Ranger), and can't find
any straight answer as to what mounting my dash can handle. It appears
that it can take a "double DIN" mounting radio, which is the standard
size for the type of system I'm trying to add - combination
radio/cassette/CD.

Can anyone clear up whether or not that is the case?

Best Buy has all the install kits you need. You can put just about any
radio you want in there.

--
Steve Barker


> wrote in message
s.com...
> Question: I'm looking to add an aftermarket in-dash radio to my 99
> Mazda B2500 (cosmetically identical to 99 Ford Ranger), and can't find
> any straight answer as to what mounting my dash can handle. It appears
> that it can take a "double DIN" mounting radio, which is the standard
> size for the type of system I'm trying to add - combination
> radio/cassette/CD.
>
> Can anyone clear up whether or not that is the case?
>

Steve Barker LT wrote:
> Best Buy has all the install kits you need. You can put just about any
> radio you want in there.
>
> --
> Steve Barker
>

That's what I figured, and Best Buy also did my CB radio a while back.
I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't buying something that was just
too damn BIG to go in there.

wrote:
> Steve Barker LT wrote:
> > Best Buy has all the install kits you need. You can put just about any
> > radio you want in there.
> >
> > --
> > Steve Barker
> >
>
> That's what I figured, and Best Buy also did my CB radio a while back.
> I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't buying something that was just
> too damn BIG to go in there.

As a previous poster suggested go to www.crutchfield.com and choose the
option for "what fits my car". They'll show you want the sizes are for
the speakers and radio that you can fit in your car. Take that info,
and go shopping.

Mike H wrote:
> wrote:
> > Steve Barker LT wrote:
> > > Best Buy has all the install kits you need. You can put just about any
> > > radio you want in there.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Steve Barker
> > >
> >
> > That's what I figured, and Best Buy also did my CB radio a while back.
> > I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't buying something that was just
> > too damn BIG to go in there.
>
> As a previous poster suggested go to www.crutchfield.com and choose the
> option for "what fits my car". They'll show you want the sizes are for
> the speakers and radio that you can fit in your car. Take that info,
> and go shopping.

Did that before I posted the message, Crutchfield only has one unit
that is an AM/FM/CD/Cassette combo, and the reviews of it are pretty
lousy. I poked around online, and there are numerous websites selling
double DIN install kits for "Ford Ranger / Mazda B 1995+," so I think
that answered it.

Thanks for all your help!

wrote:
> Mike H wrote:
>> wrote:
>>> Steve Barker LT wrote:
>>>> Best Buy has all the install kits you need. You can put just about any
>>>> radio you want in there.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Steve Barker
>>>>
>>> That's what I figured, and Best Buy also did my CB radio a while back.
>>> I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't buying something that was just
>>> too damn BIG to go in there.
>> As a previous poster suggested go to www.crutchfield.com and choose the
>> option for "what fits my car". They'll show you want the sizes are for
>> the speakers and radio that you can fit in your car. Take that info,
>> and go shopping.
>
> Did that before I posted the message, Crutchfield only has one unit
> that is an AM/FM/CD/Cassette combo, and the reviews of it are pretty
> lousy. I poked around online, and there are numerous websites selling
> double DIN install kits for "Ford Ranger / Mazda B 1995+," so I think
> that answered it.
>
> Thanks for all your help!
>

If you *really* need the cassette capability, I've got a takeout Subaru
Double-DIN AM/FM/CD/Cassette unit that's not all that bad. It's free if
you pay the shipping. I can find the pinouts for it online.

Post here if your posting address is valid, or post a munged version of
your real address if interested.

Personally, I'd rip those cassettes to MP3 CD and go with a Kenwood
DPX501 or 701 if you want to stay double din. Single DIN gives you a lot
more choices and a storage pocket for your CDs.

I'm pretty sure yo have a double DIN, maybe you have a DIN and a half.

Single DIN is the standard radio of most aftermarket products. Some make a
DIN & a half, and even fewer make the Double DIN.

It is difficult to find larger than Single DIN radios on the aftermarket.
Perhaps Crutchfield has them.



> wrote in message
s.com...
> Question: I'm looking to add an aftermarket in-dash radio to my 99
> Mazda B2500 (cosmetically identical to 99 Ford Ranger), and can't find
> any straight answer as to what mounting my dash can handle. It appears
> that it can take a "double DIN" mounting radio, which is the standard
> size for the type of system I'm trying to add - combination
> radio/cassette/CD.
>
> Can anyone clear up whether or not that is the case?
>

wrote:
> Question: I'm looking to add an aftermarket in-dash radio to my 99
> Mazda B2500 (cosmetically identical to 99 Ford Ranger), and can't find
> any straight answer as to what mounting my dash can handle. It appears
> that it can take a "double DIN" mounting radio, which is the standard
> size for the type of system I'm trying to add - combination
> radio/cassette/CD.
>
> Can anyone clear up whether or not that is the case?


Your truck DOES NOT take the double DIN, although with a bit of
screwing around and the correct adaptor kit, you can make a double DIN
fit.

Try this place:
http://www.westcoastradios.com/page/page/613732.htm

I have a 97 Mazda B4000 that came with only AM/FM/cassette. I wanted a
CD player -- they had an OEM AM/FM/CD that replaced the original one
perfectly. Also, they will answer questions about wiring, etc. The
radio I bought from them needed a wiring harness that they supplied.

"Kickin' Ass and Takin' Names" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> wrote:
>> Question: I'm looking to add an aftermarket in-dash radio to my 99
>> Mazda B2500 (cosmetically identical to 99 Ford Ranger), and can't find
>> any straight answer as to what mounting my dash can handle. It appears
>> that it can take a "double DIN" mounting radio, which is the standard
>> size for the type of system I'm trying to add - combination
>> radio/cassette/CD.
>>
>> Can anyone clear up whether or not that is the case?
>
>
> Your truck DOES NOT take the double DIN, although with a bit of
> screwing around and the correct adaptor kit, you can make a double DIN
> fit.

HMMM, I have a 2000 Ford Ranger with the single CD and I have a DOUBLE DIN.
His is a 99 so it WILL have a double DIN. If you look at that page that you
supplied the link to, it will be the head unit right next to the single CD
head unit. The dashes were changed in 98 to the one in my 00 ranger, and
they kept them till 01. They changed after that I believe.
>
> Try this place:
> http://www.westcoastradios.com/page/page/613732.htm
>
> I have a 97 Mazda B4000 that came with only AM/FM/cassette. I wanted a
> CD player -- they had an OEM AM/FM/CD that replaced the original one
> perfectly. Also, they will answer questions about wiring, etc. The
> radio I bought from them needed a wiring harness that they supplied.
>

When I bought my 1978 Dodge van in 1989,it didn't have a radio or even a
hole for a radio antenna.I bought a cheap Audiovox AM/FM/Cassette player
radio at a K-Mart store.The radio quit working about eight years
ago.That's ok with me though because listening to a radio makes me
nervous when I am driving anyway.
cuhulin