Does anybody make a car audio mounting bracket for a 1996 Mercury Sable LS with electronic climate controls?

Answer 1

Futureshop/Bestbuy have a kit which comes with everything you need to install an aftermarket stereo in the sable. It comes with the faceplate, with the climate contol built into it. You do need to remove the knobs and the actual climate control switches when you remove your old stereo. The factory amplifier is located in the back, it should be under the carpet, mounted to the side of the trunk on the driver's side. The kit also includes 18' of speaker wires which you'll need to run from the stereo (The open ends go into the open end of the connector which will come with your deck) to the back, where there'll be a spot for the speakers to connect to (This being the actual receiver). You won't need the amplifier anymore since your stereo will have a much stronger amplifier built into it, so it becomes "spare parts". Hope that helps!

I have asked many people and many "big box" stores about this, and all I have ever found pre-fabricated was for Taurus / Sables with MANUAL cimate controls. I have been told that changing the audio head unit on a car with automatic climate controls would have to be a custom job (read: $$$$)

I believe that Crutchfield is now offering a panel with electronic climate controls...... http://www.crutchfield.com

Unfortunately, Ford split the car audio system up on Taurus/Sables in it's later models to make room for the electronic climate control system. The dials and tape/CD player are mounted in the dash, while the actual receiver and amplifier are mounted in the trunk. So, there is no room in the dash to install an aftermarket system. The good news for some people is that certain tape player based systems were set up with provision for adding a CD changer with a direct connection to the amplifier in the trunk. I have a 2000 LS, so I have the CD changer connection option.