Radio upgrade options?

[JamusDemus]

Hi! I’ve a 2009 Eddie Bauer with 6 disc changer, sync included. Rear radio controls too.

I want to change it to navigation and keep the built in microphone and steering wheel controls if possible. Is there a decent aftermarket that will work or a ford upgrade option?

 

[Yupster Dog]

I want to change it to navigation and keep the built in microphone and steering wheel controls if possible. Is there a decent aftermarket that will work or a ford upgrade option?

I am not affiliated with them at all,
Crutchfield.com has the answers you are looking for. Call their 1 800# and they will explain what you can and can't do with your vehicles audio system.

 

[JimR_TN]

One option is going aftermarket with an Android head unit. My 2007 didn't have sync or steering wheel controls so that wasn't a concern, although I believe you can still retain the factory steering wheel controls. The good and bad of Android is that you pick your own apps. I run Forscan, Waze, Prime Video, YouTube, etc as well as adding a backup camera. It has Android Auto and Apple Carplay, but I haven't even tried those features yet The bad is that you have to set all this up and get all the Android apps to play nice with each other.

Still it was an economical upgrade that really modernized the look of my 2007.

 

[reklaw]

You can see what I did at the thread I have linked below. My King Ranch only had the stock CD player in it.
As Yupster Dog stated above, crutchfield is your friend. They will show you what you need to keep your steering wheel controls and whatever else. I do however believe that they say the 11 inch Alpine will not fit but I got the measurements to make sure it wouldn't block the vents and bought it then anyway and I'm very happy with it.

Alpine Halo iLX-F511 Floating Screen Installed on 2008 King Ranch

Since I might be the first person to do this I figured that I would post a picture for reference so that anyone else that thinks about it in the future can see an example. This is the Alpine Halo iLX-F511 head unit. I used a mounting bracket from Best Buy that has the single din space on top...

www.expeditionforum.com

 

[cilynx]

If you're up for an adventure, KSPIV makes a big-screen Android unit that looks like it belongs in the dash. For basic functionality, it's plug and play. For more advanced features, you'll be fiddling around with it quite a bit. I'm documenting my progress with one here:

expedition/Infotainment at main · cilynx/expedition

Contribute to cilynx/expedition development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[lancewlaskowski]

I had the same in my 2010 Eddie Bauer. I purchased a JVC unit that has wireless Carplay and Android Auto along with the harnesses and Maestro unit that let's you use the sync and steering wheel controls. I bought it from Crutchfield and put it in myself. I love it. Ran me about $600.

 

[purevw]

Most any aftermarket head unit from a major manufacturer can do the job, when combined with an iDatalink Maestro to communicate with the vehicle. For Nav, you'll likely have to use the magnetic antenna that comes with the head unit. The clip microphone will probably also be required, as well as soldering a standard RCA video cable end onto the factory back-up camera wires. I use a Kenwood DDX-9702 deck. It gives me access to many gauges that are not normally visible to the driver, such as exhaust temp and all 4 tire pressures on a single screen. You can also read check engine codes, as well as reset them via the head unit. To me, it was well worth the effort.