Swapping out factory stereo questions

[James Cain]

Lol, there's some advice hahaahhahahaa. You asked!

You won't lose anything if you hook it up right. You need a wiring harness. The one I bought was $50 at Walmart but I found it on eBay for $25.

If you use a wiring harness, which you should, you won't lose any functionality and you won't be splicing any of the stock wiring.

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Haha! yeah I'm very familiar with Crutchfield. been using them for years. I planned on buying the harness and dash kit from them anyway.

I looked back through my email for the order receipt, this is the one I bought for my 07 expedition:

SCOSCHE FD5000SW - Select 2005 and Up Ford Stereo Replacement Interface - NEW
Item# 163829476592 $22.95 USD

Your 07 navigator is supported with this harness. It's listed as compatible on the packaging.


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1. Apple car play or any smart headunit should do nav way better than any stock navigation anyway

2. Not 100% sure about this one, but, I think the wiring harness should support it.

3. The wiring harness definitely does tie into steering controls

4. Any stock stero system should match the wiring harness as long as it lists the vehicle make and model on the package.

Hooking up the harness will be really simple. You take the manual included with the harness and the wiring diagram of the head unit and just splice the wires from the harness into the head unit. Then you just plug it into your car like it's a factory head unit!


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Thanks so much for the info! I'm very familiar with how to hook up the harness but knowing that the one you mentioned ties into the steering controls is great info.

Your in luck. You can use an “idatalink maestro” rr module...and correct harness. This will greatly simplify your install. This harness will directly communicate with your can bus in the car and retain all kinds of factory features....and add tons of new ones including engine performance.

Once you “flash” the module for your specific car the install is pretty straight forward and will plug directly into the vehicles existing harness.

I would agree that calling Crutchfield is a good idea. They are very helpful...they will even prewire your harness...making the install plug and play..! If it still seems overwhelming...buy the unit at Best Buy and get free install. Either way you will still need to buy the idatalink module, harness and dash kit...which can total to nearly $200

You will not regret the idatalink maestro harness investment

I have it on my 2011 Expy and it’s fantastic

Wow!, didn't even know that existed! between the info you and kyle provided, I'm not sure which one I will go with but looks like I will be doing do some research on both and make a decision. I will post back to follow-up for future readers with the details/pros/cons of whatever path I chose. Thanks so much for the info guys. Really appreciated.

 

[James Cain]

Agree!
I used Crutchfield and did exactly what you desscribed above. You do loose the remote controlling of the rear entertainment system but it will continue to work manually with headphones. This wasn't a concern for me because I never used it. And when grand kids use it they like the headphones.

Good deal, and yeah that's not a major concern for me either. BTW, did yours come with the headphones? I bought mine from a used car dealer and weren't with it when I bought it so I'm looking to acquire some for my little ones as well.

 

[marlinpruett]

Good deal, and yeah that's not a major concern for me either. BTW, did yours come with the headphones? I bought mine from a used car dealer and weren't with it when I bought it so I'm looking to acquire some for my little ones as well.

yes mine came with headphones when I purchased in 2007

 

[James Cain]

Your new head unit probably has video output but controlling a DVD player... what are DVDs anyway

What's your budget? I guess its the right question to ask at this point.

Are you talking about doing this yourself or taking it to a professional installer

i would say my budget is $200. I plan on installing it myself. Ive been into car audio for about 20 years but havent messed with many of the newer stock systems that have so many features

 

[FORD-EXPY]

i would say my budget is $200. I plan on installing it myself. Ive been into car audio for about 20 years but havent messed with many of the newer stock systems that have so many features

save a bit more money....

$300 for CarPlay Android Auto Radio
$100 for proper harness and dash kits
If purchased at Best Buy install FREE
1) They will give you lifetime warranty on their work...and won’t stop until you are 100% satisfied
2) They will reinstall old radio when you sell your car...FREE
3) There is most likely a two week wait

Crutchfield is also very good and for additional price will prewire your harness

Not sure what kind of phone you have but theses radios are a dream....