2012 Limited EL

Hey everyone. I'm new to the Expedition family and just picked up a very clean Limited EL for my growing family. I'm trying to pick some brains here and see if it would be possible to switch out the current radio for another Factory Ford Radio with build in navigation and satellite radio. My current radio does have Satellite but no Navigation. I've seen all kinds of options on car-part.com with various ID Numbers. I understand I may need additional receivers or wiring to make this possible. Any info would help.

Thanks

Others have done it however unless you're getting a great deal on it...say $100max for the radio you're usually better served by an aftermarket solution in terms of modern features/audio quality unless your only goal is to have GPS and dont care about anything else. You'll likely have to spend some $ updating whatever unit you get as well, research those costs before making the jump.

Aftermarket wont be cheaper, likely even more but the features gained are worth it imo. You can get a quality unit w android auto and CarPlay at any major store that sells stereos for about 250 to start, if you aren't concerned by brand you can get into it for even less. Local shops may be hungry for business to so don't forget to check out the little guy.

3rd Gens are pretty close to plug n play w the applicable harness. Disassembly isn't bad either, maybe 15min to get that factory radio out. Fit and finish is pretty good on most models these days, the trim kits look like they belong and most factory features can be retained like steering wheel controls, backup cam, etc.

There is a stand-alone SiriusXM satellite radio module or tuner. Its hidden under the center console in the gear shifter area. So even if you remove the Ford radio from the dash, you'll still have SiriusXM. It just might not be compatible with an aftermarket headunit.

What you want to do is some research on the GPS antenna and possibly an amplifier and the wiring in between. In other words, a used Ford Navigation head unit might not be the only thing you'll need to buy. Could be some SYNC issues depending on the year OEM headunit you end up with as well.

https://www.tascaparts.com/auto-par...stem-components-scat/?part_number=9l1z10e928a

Flexpedition said:

There is a stand-alone SiriusXM satellite radio module or tuner. Its hidden under the center console in the gear shifter area. So even if you remove the Ford radio from the dash, you'll still have SiriusXM. It just might not be compatible with an aftermarket headunit.

What you want to do is some research on the GPS antenna and possibly an amplifier and the wiring in between. In other words, a used Ford Navigation head unit might not be the only thing you'll need to buy. Could be some SYNC issues depending on the year OEM headunit you end up with as well.

https://www.tascaparts.com/auto-par...stem-components-scat/?part_number=9l1z10e928a

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Exactly, that's why you would need to be getting an absolute killer deal on the factory Nav unit to make it even worth considering. I'd venture to say its actually more work to do over aftermarket only because things have a very specific place like the amp and antenna where aftermarket would drive speakers just fine and most antennas are magnetic and since the Expy doesnt have any metal above the radio you can throw it right on top of the radio chassis hidden inside the dash and generally works just fine. Signal may suffer every so slightly over a dash or roof mount but I've never had problems and for the savings in time is worth it to me. I also don't like things running outside the vehicle if possible, the fewer holes the better.

Aspen03 said:

Exactly, that's why you would need to be getting an absolute killer deal on the factory Nav unit to make it even worth considering. I'd venture to say its actually more work to do over aftermarket only because things have a very specific place like the amp and antenna where aftermarket would drive speakers just fine and most antennas are magnetic and since the Expy doesnt have any metal above the radio you can throw it right on top of the radio chassis hidden inside the dash and generally works just fine. Signal may suffer every so slightly over a dash or roof mount but I've never had problems and for the savings in time is worth it to me. I also don't like things running outside the vehicle if possible, the fewer holes the better.

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I appreciate the information and the diagram. I work for a local auto group here in Connecticut that luckily has a Ford franchise. Thankfully as employees, we get service and parts at dealer cost which is great. That diagram will help out tremendously. I'll stop by the Ford building on Saturday and pick their brain on what head unit to go with.

I wouldn't bother trying to stay with Ford Electronics if you want Navigation. I put a pioneer in my wife's Mercury and it now has Bluetooth, CarPlay, Backup camera and more.