Trainmaster
Old School Member
Undertook this project after installing a 2008 OEM navigation system. Wanted to share some details about what is and what isn't already installed in the XLT and SSV.
The Navigation went without a hitch. Simply plug and play and add a navigation antenna under the dash. You need a navigation unit out of a Expedition, otherwise you'll have to pay for programming or figure out how to program it yourself. The programmable parameters are woofer enabled, Steering wheel controls, rear dvd player, etc. If you want a project, you can research the Forescan system and figure out how to program it yourself. Or you can send it away for programming. With luck, the one you buy won't need programming at all.
Mine was programmed for steering wheel controls and a woofer. The XLT had neither. Here's where some work comes in. We hope that there's a harness for each. There isn't in the XLT. They are (usually) built with a stripped harness. They may have the necessary jacks, but the contacts for the optional features are missing from the jacks. That was the case with mine.
There are no wires from the stereo jack to the clockspring for the steering wheel control. Likewise, there are no wires or plugs in the steering wheel from the clockspring to the switch for the control switch. This is covered in another post, but you have to add two wires between the stereo jack and the clock spring along with the necessary contacts. That means you must disassemble the plugs and insert the contacts where needed, using a Ford wiring diagram. The fusebox has a fuse in #38 but it dead ends in the fusebox plug.
The same goes for the woofer. There is no eight-prong plug for the radio's woofer plug in the XLT. It is missing on those cars. This entire harness from the radio to the rear quarter panel isn't there. You must find a plug for the radio's woofer socket and a plug for the woofer. Then you must wire them together with an 18 ga shielded pair, and a single 18 ga wire for "enable power" that signals the woofer amp (on the woofer) to turn on. You must also run a 12 ga wire from the fuse box jack (pin 4) fuse 38 to the woofer's amp. The amp also needs a 14 ga ground.
The Audiophile option also substitutes better quality rear door speakers, which you can pick up on ebay and plug in.
This isn't a how-to, but if you are qualified in these things, this will tell you what you'll find, or actually won't find, in your XLT. Ford saved a buck by stripping these wires from their harness in the base models.
Good luck and happy listening!
Eddie in NY
08 Expedition
10 Explorer
05 Taurus
03 Focus
67 Econoline Pickup
The Navigation went without a hitch. Simply plug and play and add a navigation antenna under the dash. You need a navigation unit out of a Expedition, otherwise you'll have to pay for programming or figure out how to program it yourself. The programmable parameters are woofer enabled, Steering wheel controls, rear dvd player, etc. If you want a project, you can research the Forescan system and figure out how to program it yourself. Or you can send it away for programming. With luck, the one you buy won't need programming at all.
Mine was programmed for steering wheel controls and a woofer. The XLT had neither. Here's where some work comes in. We hope that there's a harness for each. There isn't in the XLT. They are (usually) built with a stripped harness. They may have the necessary jacks, but the contacts for the optional features are missing from the jacks. That was the case with mine.
There are no wires from the stereo jack to the clockspring for the steering wheel control. Likewise, there are no wires or plugs in the steering wheel from the clockspring to the switch for the control switch. This is covered in another post, but you have to add two wires between the stereo jack and the clock spring along with the necessary contacts. That means you must disassemble the plugs and insert the contacts where needed, using a Ford wiring diagram. The fusebox has a fuse in #38 but it dead ends in the fusebox plug.
The same goes for the woofer. There is no eight-prong plug for the radio's woofer plug in the XLT. It is missing on those cars. This entire harness from the radio to the rear quarter panel isn't there. You must find a plug for the radio's woofer socket and a plug for the woofer. Then you must wire them together with an 18 ga shielded pair, and a single 18 ga wire for "enable power" that signals the woofer amp (on the woofer) to turn on. You must also run a 12 ga wire from the fuse box jack (pin 4) fuse 38 to the woofer's amp. The amp also needs a 14 ga ground.
The Audiophile option also substitutes better quality rear door speakers, which you can pick up on ebay and plug in.
This isn't a how-to, but if you are qualified in these things, this will tell you what you'll find, or actually won't find, in your XLT. Ford saved a buck by stripping these wires from their harness in the base models.
Good luck and happy listening!
Eddie in NY
08 Expedition
10 Explorer
05 Taurus
03 Focus
67 Econoline Pickup
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