I'm sure this has been asked before, but can't find it.
Do I just plug one in to the hole there, or??
I'd like to keep the stock radio but want to
play flash drive MP3s any help appreciated

 

Simply put - No.
The navigation radio can have an adaptor added though. Solisto was one name that sprang to mind. I had one, never used it so I sold it. and got a radio with it built in.
See this search for Solisto. CLICK

 

I bought this from ebay $17 you can use a 16 g mini flash drive or micro sd card plug it in to your cigarette lighter , tune your radio to 89.9 for example works great
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bluetooth-4...r/132862263746

 

MP3 players came out in 1998, the design of the head unit in our cars goes back before that - remember, the sound system of our cars was outdated when the cars were sitting on the lot.
There is a mono audio input for the old-style in-car cell phones, but that's it. As to the multiple CD changer interface - that is a different format.

Look at one of the Kenwood, JVE or Clarion heads, you will get what you want, plus bluetooth and other cool stuff. And by running four more wires to the head, you can have four channel sound in the car, too!

 

I just put my order in on EBAY, thanks

 

How do you go from one song to another or can you?

 

You can have the existing factory radio modified by Becker (the original manufacturer), to provide an auxiliary input.
I sent my factory radio to them, and they added an internal Bluetooth interfaceinside the unit.
So when I enter the car, my phone automatically connects to the radio, and I can stream music from my phone, like from my Sirius satellite subscription directly into the radio.
The Bluetooth is only for music, you can't use the phone through the radio for calls, just music.
Cost for this factory modification was $148. including paying their shipping.
www.beckerautosound.com
They have a phone number listed there, call them and ask if you have more questions. It's cheapest if you send them your working radio, otherwise they sell modified radios on eBay for a higher price.

They will also alternately add an audio input cable with jack on the end of the cable. You can mount the jack (like inside the armrest) if you'd rather use a cable.

 

I was wanting to try that eBay cigarette lighter adapter that looks like the simplest solution if it works but I'm wondering how do you change channels and navigate through the songs on the flash drive? Is this a viable solution or am I dreaming?

 

I have this kind of MP3 player interface on both of my Crossfires. Its plug and play. The radio thinks it's a CD changer. The sound comes in very clear with no hiss or static. It does require having a navigation equipped radio.




For an older Ford Escape I use one of these FM transmitters which would work as well for the Crossfire, and would not require having a navigation radio. It has a small display and function controls.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-In-Car-Bluetooth-FM-Transmitter-MP3-Radio-Adapter-Car-Kit-USB-Charger/264341330298?hash=item3d8bf8997a:gNQAAOSwWOFc7fz o

 

That works on our Becker heads? While I question spending money adding features to the horrible Becker head, this preserves the factory appearance; that makes it worth it to some.
I would have been one of those individuals, until I heard what a current - production head sounds like.

 

Toolman:

Your post is worth making this a "sticky"!

DONE!