How to fit a Ford CD Changer with Velcro

ProjectPuma

Help Support ProjectPuma:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

TheVarix

New member
Joined
Aug 27, 2011
Messages
69
First of all, I'd like to clarify that I don't mean this guide to be the best solution to fit a CD changer but it seems to be working fine. This is just a guide for other noobs like me! :D
Drilling and using the brackets that came with the CD Changer is a more stable, solid and elegant solution but I didn't want to do so as I have read on forums of many people using velcro.
I've had the CD changer like this for a few days now, including a couple of fairly long journeys on the motorway and I haven't had it skipping discs a single time (which is quite something bearing in mind that I live in South London where there are so many pot holes it feels you're driving through a minefield...)

What you'll need:

1)Strips of velcro with self adhesive back (buy 1 metre on Ebay for about £3)
Note:I bought both "hook" and "loop" stripes but then in the end I used only the "hook" side.
2)CD changer --I got a Ford one to minimise compatibility problems
(note that on Ebay you'll see many units without cables. Try to get one with them as it'll save you time and money unless you already have the cables!)
3)Cable to connect the head unit to CD changer (square 12 pin type)
4)Stereo removal tool (from Ebay about £1+)

Step 1:
Get your CD Changer ready! (I bought my Ford CD changer on Ebay for about £30 incl. + postage with all the necessary cables and brackets and even the original manuals and box for the cables. Ford CD changers from a Galaxy, Escort, Fiesta, etc...of the late 90's or early 2000's will be fine. Mine has a 1998 manufacture date stamp!!)

No1.JPG



Step 2:
Get your 2 stereo removal keys keys, remove the stereo and connect the CD changer cable to the back of the head unit (see pic.)

No2.JPG


That's where you plug it:

No3.JPG



Step 3:
Bring the cable down almost directly towards the carpet floor.
No4.JPG


Step 4:
Detach the gear stick gaiter to be able to keep pulling the cable towards the seat.

No5.JPG



Step 5:
Pull the cable through the hole underneath the passenger's seat as shown in the pic.

No6.JPG


Step 6:
Now you plug the other end of the cable to the CD changer and get your velcro ready. I stuck a strip of the "hook" ("hooky", coarse) side right through the middle of the CD changer lengthwise.

No10.JPG

Note:
I velcroed the CD changer to the bottom of the seat, where there's a narrow bit of upholstery which has a similar texture to the "loop" (soft) side of the velcro. This way you can still put your carpet on the floor.


Step 7: Picture of the finished product. Done in about 15 mins!!

No11.JPG


As you can see, it's velcroed to the bottom of the seat, hanging from it so I can still put the mat underneath it.

Anyone with other ideas of where and how to velcro the CD changer, please share them here. That's what makes this forum so great!! :thumbs:
 
It'll only work with rotary volume dial stereos as earlier 6000s don't support CD changers
 
Thanks oilburner for pointing that out. :eek:k:

4050, 5000, 6000 and 7000 with rotary volume controls support CD changers.
Edit: I've checked my manual and apparently the 5000 with rocker volume controls IS CD Changer compatible.

It's also very clearly indicated in the fascia so it's next to impossible not to know if your stereo is CD Changer compatible or not.
 
They're those silver things some people hang on their rear view mirrors cos they think they make speed cameras not work!
 
Hi Flying Scotsman!

I don't know, I'm a bit old fashioned and fetishist regarding CD's. I still like and collect vinyls and CD's rather than downloading music... I'm an analogue person, from the spectrum+2 generation (does anyone remember the cassettes taking half and hour to load a game!) so physical formats and time consuming things like changing CD's don't bother me too much. :grin:
I keep my old 6000CD because my commute to work is fairly short so sometimes it takes me days until I actually get to play a whole CD (and I think it looks better in the dash!)
For my needs this CD changer is the best option and is cheaper than a stereo with USB port or stuff like that! :D
On the other hand I would like to change the standard speakers as they're really crap! But I am not sure what difference it would make if I'd plug them to the 6000CD...
 
Hi again Flying Scotsman,

No worries man! I hadn't taken any offence (How could I?) :grin:
When I replied to your post I simply thought if could be useful for people to see what my reasoning behind buying the CD changer was in case someone out there is thinking about buying one as well and is considering the costs, drawbacks, etc...
 
oilburner said:
It'll only work with rotary volume dial stereos as earlier 6000s don't support CD changers
My early tape deck had an Alpine changer attached to it (with an inline control box) so it is an option with early models. They have a CD changer port in the back.
 
But the tape deck was the 5000 series that got fitted with a CD changer in Mondeos and Galaxys. I was referring to early and late 6000 series
 
You had a 5000 series that didn't get stolen?! Loads of them got pinched because of a rumour you could use the chip in them to chip a Sky box!
 

Latest posts

Back
Top