Ford Explorer Stereo Wiring Diagram

This comprehensive Explorer stereo wiring diagram helps you complete any Ford radio install. Being able to identify what Ford Explorer stereo wires goes a long way towards upgrading your sound system. One of the more common Explorer upgrades, there are many options for your stereo.

With so many generations of the Explorer, it can be a challenge to identify stereo wiring. Many of the vehicles that the Ford Explorer is based on will also feature the same stereo wiring. This includes vehicles such as the Lincoln or Mercury, as well as the Mazda Navajo.

Today we will be covering Explorer stereo wiring over all six generations. This comprehensive Ford stereo guide can help you complete any stereo install.

Ford Explorer stereo wiring guide

When you want to upgrade your Explorer stereo, this is the guide for you. Upgrading your Ford speakers or the Explorer head unit is made easy with this tutorial. You can even use this guide to install your factory Explorer stereo as well. This Explorer stereo wiring schematic covers the year ranges of 1991-2020.

Installing an aftermarket Explorer stereo is easy when you use our radio wiring diagram. Use this wiring guide to help you install an upgraded Explorer stereo or navigation system of your choice. Want to add smart features such as infotainment or even Alexa? We’ve got you covered.

Kicking off our Explorer stereo wiring guide is the first generation Ford. Spanning the year ranges of 1991-1994, the early Explorer leaves much to be desired as far as the stereo goes.

Wiring up a single DIN stereo in your Explorer is easy in this year’s range. Because of the simple Explorer wiring, you can upgrade your radio quickly and add Explorer speakers of your choosing.

Believe it or not, installing an FM modulator or additional stereo add-on can be an even easier way to upgrade your Explorer stereo.

First Gen Explorer Stereo Wiring 1991–1994

There’s a lot to like about the first-generation Explorer, but the stereo probably isn’t one of them. Despite that there are many Ford fans that revive or rebuild these classic SUV’s. The Explorer shares many of the features found in the trucks of this year range as well.

Explorer Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Light Green/Yellow
Explorer Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow/Black
Explorer Radio Ground Wire: Red or Black Explorer Wire
Explorer Radio Illumination Wire: Orange / Black
Explorer Remote Power / Amp Wire : Blue

This should be more than enough for you to wire up your Explorer stereo. You can also complete any Ford amplifier installation with this group of wires. We will now move onto the Ford Explorer speaker wiring.

Left Front Speaker Positive Wire: Orange / Light Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire: Light Blue / White
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire: White / Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire: Pink / Light Green
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Pink/Light Green
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Tan/Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Orange / Red
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Black / White

Using the following Explorer speaker wiring outline, you can install any aftermarket stereo into your Ford.

Second Gen Explorer Stereo Wiring 1995–2001

With over 6 years of production, this particular Explorer is very popular. Although double DIN stereos can fit in the Ford, many times it will require an installation kit. These stereo install kits are useful to properly install your upgraded Explorer radio.

Own a Ford between the year ranges of 1995-2001? Need Explorer stereo wiring job but not sure where to find it? Check it out below.

Explorer Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Green / Violet
Ford Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow / Black
Radio Ground Wire: Black / Light Green
Radio Illumination Wire: Light Blue / Red

When installing your new Explorer stereo, take care around the radio bezel. This bezel can be exposed to the elements, making it brittle and easy to crack. The Ford Explorer stereo antenna wire is Orange with a Blue stripe.

There are a few variants of the Ford Explorer that include an amplifier. If your Explorer amp is blown, or does not send signal consider upgrading it immediately. If you happen to have an Explorer amplifier, the wire trigger is Blue.

Left Front Speaker Positive Wire: Orange / Light Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire: Light Blue / White
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire: White / Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire: Dark Green / Orange

The Explorer speakers up front are easy to get to. The interior of this generation Ford makes things relatively simple to modify.

Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Gray / Light Blue
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Tan / Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Orange / Red
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Brown / Pink

For those looking for a remote Explorer trigger wire, you can use the ignition switch. This allows you to easily install accessories to your Explorer stereo. Things like a navigation system or MP3 player is made easy with the right kit.

Third Gen Explorer Stereo Wiring 2002-2005

When Ford unveiled this version of the venerable Explorer, there were many upgrades. One of the largest steps forward was the Explorer stereo, which had much to be desired.

Many of the questions I get about Explorer stereo wiring have to do with the Eddie Bauer editions. These are very popular so if you need the stereo wiring schematic, it’s below!

Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: White / Yellow
Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Black / Pink
Radio Ground Wire: Black / Blue
Radio Illumination Wire: Light Blue / Red

Ford Explorer stereo dimmer wire: Red / Black

The front Explorer speakers are a tad tougher to access than in previous generations. Despite that, upgrading Ford speakers is not hard at all. Explorer speaker wires up front are as follows:

Left Front Speaker Positive Wire: Orange / Light Green
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire: Light Blue / White
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire: White / Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire: Dark Green / Orange

When it comes to the speakers in the rear of your Explorer things are far easier. Because of the layout of the Ford and the manner in which you can easily access these speaker wires, it makes upgrades straightforward.

Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Gray / Light Blue
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Tan / Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Orange / Red
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Brown / Pink

Fourth Gen Explorer Stereo Wiring 2006-2010

Eddie Bauer Edition Explorer stereo systems have slightly different configurations for this year range. Regardless of the additional audio upgrades in your Explorer, this wiring diagram is correct.

Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Blue / Red
Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Green / White
Radio Ground Wire: Black / Blue
Radio Illumination Wire: Light Blue / Red

Unlike the previous generation Ford, this year Explorer stereo dimmer wire is not present. There are a few ways to get around this problem if you really want a way to dim your stereo lights.

Left Front Speaker Positive Wire: White
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire: White / Brown
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire: White / Purple
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire: White / Orange

Recently upgraded your Explorer stereo but don’t like the new sound? Did you retain your factory speakers? If so chances are that the new stereo system is operating on a different ohm range than your Explorer speakers.

Install an amplifier, or simply replace your Ford speakers to get the true sound you are after.

Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Brown / Green
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Brown / Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Brown / White
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Brown / Blue

Fifth Gen Explorer Stereo Wiring 2011-2019

The last of the Explorer’s before the 2020 redesign, the fifth-generation Ford has many features standard that others simply do not. Still, there’s a lot to like about this year range Explorer, especially if you are an audiophile.

Radio Battery Constant 12v+ Wire: Gray / Red
Radio Accessory Switched 12v+ Wire: Black / Blue
Radio Ground Wire: Ground to Chassis
Radio Amp Trigger Wire: Purple / Red

Whether you own an Eddie Bauer Edition Explorer or not, the amplifier location is still the same. Look behind the rear right panel of your trunk to find your Explorer amplifier.

Left Front Speaker Positive Wire: White
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire: White / Brown
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire: White / Purple
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire: White / Orange

The 6″x 8″ speakers size for the Ford Explorer are not exactly standard, but can be upgraded.

Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire: White / Green
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Brown / Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire: Brown / White
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire: Brown / Blue

Have any questions about our Explorer stereo wiring guide? Leave us a comment below and let us know!