Is there a converter kit for replacing the radio in 1996-2005 Taurus - Sables?

Answer 1

Even though the radio is integrated into the climate control dash-panel and requires a converter kit, removing the radio is the same as a regular unit.

TIP: Invest the $4-5 for a pair of Ford radio removal tools - widely available from auto parts stores, Walmart, etc. (or fabricate your own if you are really cheap from hanger wire). Insert the tools into each pair of small holes on either side of the radio face

They're all the way in when you feel them hit an indent, or a bit of 'click'

Push the tops of the tools to the *OUTSIDE* while pulling the radio out from the dash. This is more "art" & feel than specific instructions.

Here is where it's slightly different: disconnect the 2 or 3 wire harness connectors off & disconnect the radio antenna wire, AND the related heater/climate controls.

I have a 97 and it requires a dash kit (the dash is OVAL, with the heater controls). The kit and wiring harness from circuit city is $85. The radio is in the trunk in that car. you will have to run the wires to the trunk and plug it in. then just match colors.

Here is a link that shows where the cabling is run on a Ford Taurus.

The 1996-2005 Taurus / Sables / Escorts / Tracers all required the dashkit which have the heater controls built-in. Many stores & outlets carry these, including

Crutchfield.com is where I bought one for my 98 Tracer. The dashkits are currently $70, $35 if you purchase a radio priced at $130 or more.

NOTE: if your vehicle has the electronic climate control, like my 98 Sable, you may be out of luck - I haven't found one yet.

With the converter dashkit, you would be able to fit / install virtually any after-market radio units.

SCOSCHE FD134030B TIPS:">TIPS: Be sure to spend the few dollars for the wire harness kit - This saves you from having to CUT the factory wiring. If you sell the car, it takes only 10 minutes to put the factory radio back.

Many places even give you the radio removal tools when you buy a radio from them, like Crutchfield.comDo not try to save a few dollars and spend far more than $5 worth of your time with home made tools

This vehicle has the round dash panel surrounding the radio and climate controls. If your climate controls are the 3 turn-knobs and not the full electronic controls, then yes, you can put in aftermarket stereo.

Just be aware that the dash panel replacement, along with the wiring harness (which is very very long) won't be cheap. Normally you can easily pay 65-80 or more. Then comes the fun of the install.

The tuner pack for this factory stereo is in a box that is mounted in the trunk where the antenna is located. You will have to access that and then your purchased harness/antenna adapter will plug into the factory wiring plug and antenna. You must then run that long stretch of wires all the way up to the front and behind the dash up to the factory opening. These will then connect to your aftermarket radio.

Totally agree - and you'll find these stereo/radio harnesses at places like typical auto parts stores (Advance, Autozone, etc.), along with Target and Walmart.

Save yourself hours of frustration in dealing with wiring - spend the few extra dollars for the harness.

Also, some retailers will even include the harness at minimal cost, or even for free, like Crutchfield.com (I'm a very happy repeat customer)

On the radio/HVAC control face there are four little holes, two on either side of the radio controls. There are special tools, we call "radio hooks" available cheap at auto parts stores. They should come with instructions. f they don't ask somene there to demonstrate how to use them. The radio will come out fairly easy using radio hooks.

If it's the stock dash (specifically the middle containing the ac/radio controls) there are a pair of 'U' shaped tools that you need to get from Ford, eBay, or some source. Once you have them, you just put one on either side lined up with the four small holes, and push in, then pull back out. The dash should easily come out with them.

there are 4 small holes in the front of the console. take a piece of a wire coat hanger and bend it in a u shape. make 2 of these. put the ends of this u shape tool into the holes upper and lower on each side and push gently this will unlock the console so you can remove it. It helps to have 2 people...one to push the tools in and the other to get the front of the console off. You can buy a tool made specifically for this but someone gave me the coat hanger suggestion and I used it and it worked. Good luck

Since the dash is not a standard opening, the 1996-1999 Taurus Sables require a converter plate. This converter not only allows standard mounting for most all after-market radios, but also has the climate controls for the blower & heater knobs.

Retailers like Crutchfield.com have these converters, and they price around $40.

NOTE: if your Taurus Sable has electronic, automatic climate control, you're (we're) out of luck. The typical converters I have found won't work with those controls.

NOTE: This information applies to the same years Escort / Tracer models since they share the same oval dash design.

Even though the pictures are of a traditional DIN mount radio, the information fully applies to the 1996+ Taurus/Sables

take a wire coat hanger and cut it in half to form two u shaped pieces. stick them in to the four holes located in the head unit. while giving pressure outward on both pieces of the hanger, simultaneously pull the radio out. make sure the hanger is thick so it wont have much flex

I also owns 2001 Ford Taurus SE. Not sure if most of these models comes with standard 10-disc CD player located in the trunk on the left side. If you have a tape player with CD button option, then you should have the black box in the trunk. Otherwise, you may want to speak with your local Ford dealer about it. They can help you with that.