The Ford Explorer Sport was available from 1991 to 2003 as a replacement for Ford's Bronco II. The two door sport borrowed heavily from the full-size Explorer platform, initially offered as an option package to the Explorer before becoming an entirely separate model in 2001. Sport buyers could order the mid-sized SUV with a standard radio, radio and cassette deck or radio and CD player depending on the model year. Those with a standard radio or radio and cassette deck can easily install a CD player in place of the original unit in less than 15 minutes.
Push the vents above the radio inward so the airflow aims at the ceiling of the Explorer Sport and you can insert your fingertips into the gap between the adjustable vents and the surrounding trim bezel. Pull the trim bezel outward from the dashboard until it pops loose; you may need to work your way around the perimeter of the bezel to pull the entire piece loose.
Insert the Ford radio removal tools into the twin holes on the side edges of the radio faceplate until you feel them snap into the radio retainers inside the dash. Pull outward, toward the sides of the Explorer Sport, on the radio removal tools and then, while still holding the pressure to the side on the tools, slowly slide the radio out of the dash by hand.
Unplug the antenna and stereo wiring harness from the back plate on the radio by hand. Set the old Ford radio aside. Plug the stereo harness and antenna into the CD player by hand. If you're installing an aftermarket CD player, you may need to connect the CD player to the wiring harness with an adapter harness found in an aftermarket stereo installation kit (available at most electronics stores and auto-sound retailers).
Slide the CD player into the dashboard until it clicks into place. If you're installing an aftermarket CD player, you may need to first install shims or spacers from the aftermarket stereo installation kit to adapt the new player to the existing space without leaving a hole in the dashboard. This procedure will vary based on the brand and model of aftermarket CD player you purchase, so consult the installation kit guide before installing the aftermarket player.
Place the trim bezel back onto the dashboard by hand. Align the retaining tabs on the bezel with their mated anchor holes on the dashboard and firmly press the bezel into place until it's flush with the Explorer Sport's dashboard. You may need to gently strike the bezel with the side of your fist to snap all the tabs into place.
