Wilber256

Hello Everyone, Thanks for allowing me to join your group. I am a disabled senior that needs some help on replacing the AM/FM/cassette player in my 1999 Polaris Ranger 6x6 SxS. The radio unit that is in there now is not working right, it has a balance issue that allows only one speaker of two to work. I switched the speaker wires and the other speaker will work so it must be in the radio. First a brief history if I may. I bought the machine used in early spring of 2005 then on May 23 2005 I injured my back and spent 10 years of my life bedridden. My oldest Grandson would ride the Ranger on my 20.5 acres and as the old saying goes would ride it hard and put it up wet. At one point without my knowledge he left it in the weather for a year until I found out and managed to drag myself out of bed and drag it into the shed. long story short it has been sitting in the shed for 99% of the time I have owned it.

Now to the problem and questions. As mentioned earlier it will only work from one speaker, either left or right but not both. I decided to just hook both speakers up to one side to get them both to play in mono I suppose is what I was attempting to do. Well it will not work by jumping wires from one speaker to the other, why I have no clue in the 1960's when I would install my own 8 track player under the dash and or install a AM radio you could do this but I suppose being 1000 times more modern/better equipment it can't be done.

So I thought I would add a small computer speaker up on the roof closer to our heads so to be able to hear above the engine/mechanical noise, that won't work either. There is a small soda can next to the radio which I assume is a amp. Could this be the reason I can only hook one speaker at a time? Or maybe it's broken and that's the reason? I know nothing about this stuff, you would be better off asking me about brain surgery.

I am trying to get this thing back running, moving and music for my two youngest Grandboys, 6 and almost 3 years old, they have rode in it a couple of times and love it. it is parked with more mechanical issues at this time so I thought a good time to try to get some music. Being on disability and my wife retired we just survive on monthly checks so there is no money for nice music system.

So I have been looking at $20-$35 radios from ebay and amazon and need two surface mount type speakers from them I can make monthly payments. I need a very bright display because the radio is behind a smoked glass type lid and without bright display I won't be able to tell up from down. I will also need a remote control as the radio is located on the passenger side. Can anyone make a recommendation or suggestion? The two sony marine type speakers are mounted down low and can barely hear them over the noise created by the machine. I have a couple of computer speakers for the roof mount if they will work with a new radio, there is very little head room so small will have to do to keep from hitting our heads as we get in and out.

I can't afford much plus it being in the outdoor environment I don't need a high dollar system to ruin and replace every 2-4 years.
I can send pics if that will help, the area where the speakers are located is out of it's place at this time, but can put it back close to where it belongs if needed.
i know this is a lot to ask at one time and especially from a green newbie but I have searched and searched and can';t find or know what to look for.
Thanks in advance for any and all help it is greatly appreciated. These two boys are my life, if not for them i would either still be in bed or dead. I want to fix this up enough for us to ride and have a good time while I am still able and give it to them when they are older. The oldest is a special needs child he is autistic and loves to ride and the 2-1/2 year old has to ride my lawnmower 6-10 times daily and each time has to go see and talk to the Ranger, they really love to ride.
They both live with us and remind me daily to fix the Ranger.
Thanks so very much.