Taking over for the Aerostar in 1994, the Ford Windstar was one of two minivans offered by the Ford Motor Co. until 2004 (Mercury Villager was the other). The unofficial focus of the Windstar was to produce a family vehicle with more attention paid to interior comforts. Part of that effort was noticeable in the department of car audio. The Windstar came standard with a more powerful sound system than was ever offered in an Aerostar. Windstar owners who seek specific capabilities via an aftermarket radio can install it with little previous experience.
Disconnect the grounding cable (black cable connecting the negative battery terminal with the frame of the Windstar) with a 10 mm socket and ratchet.
Plug the stereo wiring (now free after the removal of the factory radio) into the leads of the wiring harness adapter. The adapter will convert the platform of the Ford stereo wiring to be acceptable to aftermarket components.
Slide the faceplate adapter or installation sleeve from the Ford stereo installation kit into the stereo mounting dock of the Windstar. On first-generation Windstars (1995 through 1998 models) use an installation sleeve; on other models use a faceplate adapter.)
Connect the wiring harness adapter leads into the back of the new radio. Plug the antenna cable into the FM antenna outlet on the rear panel of the aftermarket radio.
Place the back of the new stereo at the opening of the stereo mounting dock. Slide the stereo straight into the opening until the stereo snaps into place in the dock.
Replace the grounding cable clamp over the negative lead post, and tighten the clamp with the socket and ratchet.
