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Ford Mustang CD Player - How To Install a Modern Stereo and CD Changer

With Custom Autosound's USA-5 stereo and CD changer, you can make beautiful music in your vintage Mustang

all contributors: Donald Farr

 Ford Mustang Stereo

We've been here and done this before. Many times before, in fact, because upgrading a vintage Mustang's sound-system has been one of the most popular aftermarket modifications since owners began ripping out the puny factory AM radio to replace it with AM/FM, eight-track tape players and cassette decks. Unfortunately, many instrument panels were hacked up in the pursuit of musical pleasures, something not easily remedied on the '65-'66 Mustang's all-metal dash.

That all changed in the '80s when Custom Autosound debuted its aftermarket AM/FM/cassette players with a special '65-'66 Mustang face-place to mount in the original radio opening without modifications. Today, Custom Autosound offers a variety of radios for '65-'78 Mustangs, along with trunk-mounted CD changers, kick-panel speakers, dual dash speakers, and a Backseat Driver amplifier/subwoofer assembly that mounts behind the Mustang back seat. You can even get a '65-'66 dash repair kit to return hacked-up radio openings to stock condition.

Custom Autosound offers several radios for Mustangs, but one of the most popular is the USA-5 with its built-in CD controls for a Custom Autosound trunk-mounted CD changer. With the system, you can load up to 10 CDs and control them from the buttons on the radio. The USA-5 also includes an auto-reverse cassette player, a digital clock, electronic seek-and-scan tuning, and 240 watts of power. It comes with original-style knobs, and the face incorporates a digital display behind an analog dial for a more original appearance when the radio is off.

Classic Creations of Central Florida recently installed a combination of USA-5 stereo, 10-disc CD changer, and kick-panel speakers in a customer's '66 convertible, so we followed along as Merv Rego and Matt Simmons did the installation.


 Ford Mustang Cd Player
1 The combination of the USA-5 stereo head unit and a 10-CD changer is perfect for early Mustangs. The USA-5 maintains a factory appearance while the changer hides in the trunk.
 Ford Mustang Cd Player Rear
2 The rear of the USA-5 includes, left to right, a special 8-pin connector for the CD changer, in and out connections for an external amplifier, and connections for the main wiring harness. An antenna lead is also provided (not shown).
 Ford Mustang Speakers Front
3 We're also installing a pair of Custom Autosounds' kick-panel speakers, shown already painted to match the '66 Mustang's Parchment interior. The panels replace the originals perfectly and add 611/42-inch, 80-watt Pioneer speakers.

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