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CD Changer
I just got this changer and installed it Friday night and thought it would help someone if I reviewed it. I wanted to use the stock Ford stereo to control a CD changer. I didn't want to use a RF Mod changer due to all the wires and the not so great sound quality. The goal of my system is to play CDs using the 6 speakers that came stock with my Sable. I also didn't want to pay $80+ to have it installed.
When I got this out of the box, it came with the control box for the RCU, short Ford harness cable, a longer cable that goes from the control box to the CD changer, the CD changer itself and magazine. It also came with instructions that were not really helpful BUT they pointed us in the right direction. It came with a 1-800 number to call in case you get stumped.
After pulling the carpet out, it exposed the RCU that is located on the drivers side wheel well. We noticed right away where to plug in the Ford harness cable. The harness cable came with a pig tail for the power connection. After looking around by the RCU, we noticed that there was already a power connector in place (for the factory changer?). We cut into that and was able to get power to the changer with no issue. Its hot all the time so it will be easy to change the magazine without starting the car.
After the power was connected, we used the longer cable to plug into the CD changer from the control box. It was just a DIN cable, so it was not a big deal. We tested the unit and the stock stereo found the changer and started playing.
We had a fun time trying to mount the changer. There is not a lot of flat surfaces in the trunk so we used the back seat for mounting. They didn't provide enough screws to secure the changer but my buddy had a few extra. After mounting it, the job was complete. It took us about 1 hour to do the whole thing. We had a lot of interruptions too with my friend's dog bothering us.
The performance on the changer is great! I had the RF mod version of this changer before and this new one is like night and day. Bass sounds really good and the highs are great as well. My car doesn't have a big system so I can't really say how it would sound with higher end equipment. MP3 playback is great! I wish I had enough MP3s to fill 10 CDs.. I would never have to touch this changer ever. You can put over 140 songs on it. It can also see all 10 dics, the factory changer was only 6. The display on the factory stereo displayed everything correctly.
Whats nice is that this changer can be used with many different cars/trucks by just flipping a couple of dipswitches. So if I sell the car and get something else, I can take it with me as long as the new car has CD changer controls.
Money well spent,
