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Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio

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Denny & Barb

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Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« on: October 26, 2016, 06:50:07 pm »
Has anyone upgraded the Ford factory radio to lets say a Smart Radio Stereo? You know the type, with built in GPS, Apps and back-up camera capable.

Does the Ford have the universal "dual din" footprint, to make installation possible?

Thanks
Denny 
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2016, 08:14:01 pm »
Hi Denny,

The 2009-2017 Ford chassis has the same dash board with the same radio provision.  I believe the opening is the same for the older design of Fords made prior to 2009.  Therefore I believe there is enough physical space for a smart radio.

But I question if it is a good idea to invest heavy into one because there are a number of dissatisfied owners of smart radios, both with PC owners as well as other brands of motor homes.  I understand it is difficult to view the screen when backing up.  There is also a glare problem viewing the screen.  The user friendliness of the GPS is lacking given it's location, hard to work the GPS with it in the dash rather than a hand-held one.  Also the GPS updates are extremely expensive.  There are other quirky things about the unit but I can't recall them.

These are the kind of things I have read about it in the recent past.  It could be a specific aftermarket radio.  Maybe there are better ones and lesser ones.  Hopefully PC owners with them will write in and provide first-hand experience with the brand they have.

Ron
« Last Edit: October 26, 2016, 08:16:24 pm by ron.dittmer »
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Denny & Barb

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2016, 07:53:13 pm »
Thanks Ron... You are alway a blessing to be heard from on this forum.  You have more than ever answered my questions, meaning, issues I was thinking about, you have answered.

On another line, I believe I have a posting problem on this forum.  1st of all, I do not get email notifications of my postings. Others I do.  2ndly, I do not see my postings in the "Show unread posts since last visit".  I probably don't have something setup correctly.

Thanks Ron,

Denny
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ragoodsp

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2016, 08:21:12 pm »
In my new  Renegade I have a Kenwood smart radio that does it all including back up, side cameras, GPS, HD radio, satellite, etc.  I have to be honest I find the unit overwhelming.  The  imagery is to small,  the buttons are to small, the commands are just to many to remember.  Not sure what a better alternative is but I will be looking.  It reminds me of my first PC that came  with a Tom-Tom, what a piece of crap that was and I ultimately had it replaced.   Best of luck, Ron G.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2016, 06:11:18 am »
Quote from: Denny & Barb on October 27, 2016, 07:53:13 pm
Thanks Ron... You are alway a blessing to be heard from on this forum.  You have more than ever answered my questions, meaning, issues I was thinking about, you have answered.

Thanks Ron,
Denny

:)
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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2016, 10:05:11 am »
Thanks ragoodsp.  I think between you and Ron, this project will not get off the ground. I don't need more stuff to clutter my life, especially if it isn't helpful.  I have been using my android tablet for navigation, which works fine. No sense then to change to something that is difficult to use and see.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2016, 10:10:35 am by Denny & Barb »
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donc13

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2016, 10:10:28 am »
Quote from: Denny & Barb on October 26, 2016, 06:50:07 pm
Has anyone upgraded the Ford factory radio to lets say a Smart Radio Stereo? You know the type, with built in GPS, Apps and back-up camera capable.

Does the Ford have the universal "dual din" footprint, to make installation possible?

Thanks
Denny 

No.. It is not a dual din opening... It is like a 1 3/4 din size and requires an adaptet/bezel.  Car radio shops do them all the time and should know exactly what's needed.    If you're not real handy with taking the dash apart... I would suggest you let a car radio shop xo the job.

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ron-n-toni

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2016, 10:17:56 am »
I ordered my 2351 with the upgrade radio. I exchanged it for a Kenwood WITHOUT GPS and camera. I hope that this doesn't break rule # 2 but I'll give the PC upgrade away for the cost of shipping. It has GPS and back up camera. I hung a wireless back up camera from the overhead under the TV and use a larger Rand McNally GPS with suction cup on the windshield. The reasons I changed are several. One was the in dash unit required taking your eyes off the road for a longer time than I thought was safe. I'm a retired pilot but no where near as sharp as I was and wanted the camera and GPS close to line of sight. My co-pilot (wife) handles the radio as all good co-pilots do. All this seems to work well. If I had to do it all over again, I would try to have Phoenix hard wire all the above in during production with the Kenwood radio which is a Sat radio and CD player.
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2016, 02:00:25 pm »
Quote
On another line, I believe I have a posting problem on this forum.  1st of all, I do not get email notifications of my postings. Others I do.  2ndly, I do not see my postings in the "Show unread posts since last visit".  I probably don't have something setup correctly.

Denny,
If you go to the profile section there is an option to turn notifications and email on.

Select profile
Select Modify profile
Select Notification and Email

Now if you check the third choice down it is to turn notifications on when you post or reply to a topic.


If you are looking for a reply to a specific topic, when viewing that topic select the NOTIFY field at the top of the page.  This will ask you if you want notifications for just that particular topic.



Hopefully this gets you the emails you are looking for.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2016, 02:03:18 pm by Barry-Sue »
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racephoto

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2016, 07:53:51 pm »
I changed out the stock stereo in my 2008 PC2100.  I installed a Pioneer DEH-X4700BT and love it. I play audiobooks from a USB stick and stream Spotify from my phone using Bluetooth. It's awesome. I've never done it before but it was not difficult.  I used a Metra 70-1771 Radio Wiring Harness, Metra 99-5802 Dash Kit For Ford/Mazda B-Series 95-Up, and Install Bay CC2218 Crimp Cap Nylon Connector 22/18 Gauge crimps, which made it much easier. I got all of it on Amazon.  I didn't want one of the super complex ones with motorized touch screens, etc, but I did want BT, USB and input jacks. I'd have preferred a unit with less obnoxious led lighting but that seems to be the thing these days, and it was on sale. :-)
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2016, 08:02:50 pm »
Quote from: racephoto on October 28, 2016, 07:53:51 pm
I'd have preferred a unit with less obnoxious led lighting but that seems to be the thing these days, and it was on sale. :-)
I can relate to that.  I flipped C5 Corvettes as a hobby for a while.  One used 1999 had an aftermarket flashy blue LED radio with other sound upgrades.  I replaced the aftermarket sound system back to stock before selling the car.  Corvettes are worth much more if 100% stock.  The worst of that was the radio degraded the driving experience by a whole lot.  Driving the car home from Vegas, I had to cover the radio to drive at night.  On top of it all, the sound quality wasn't any better......just louder.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2016, 08:57:30 pm by ron.dittmer »
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racephoto

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2016, 08:32:40 pm »
Yeah, I've seen some really bad ones. I seldom drive at night if I can help it, but it  can be dimmed. What I'd like to do at some point is wire it so it's powered by the house batteries. I'd like to be able to use it while I'm parked too.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2016, 09:05:57 pm »
Quote from: racephoto on October 28, 2016, 08:32:40 pm
What I'd like to do at some point is wire it so it's powered by the house batteries. I'd like to be able to use it while I'm parked too.
  I like that idea.  Finding FM radio stations in our Executive head unit in the house lacks user friendliness.  And it doesn't have AM either.  I would much rather use the dash radio while in the house.  The speakers in back help with the sound as well.
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ron-n-toni

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2016, 08:43:18 am »
When swapping radios, If you want to use the radio while stopped do the following. Take the red Ford wire (battery) and the orange Ford wire  (accessory) and wire them together to the accessory wire on the new radio. This will make the radio available all the time. BUT. You must remember to shut it off manually.     
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Denny & Barb

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Re: Upgrading Ford factory radio sterio
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2016, 09:45:19 am »
Quote from: ron-n-toni on October 31, 2016, 08:43:18 am
When swapping radios, If you want to use the radio while stopped do the following. Take the red Ford wire (battery) and the orange Ford wire  (accessory) and wire them together to the accessory wire on the new radio. This will make the radio available all the time. BUT. You must remember to shut it off manually.     

That's a great idea.  But it could run your engine-battery down, if left on too long.  So taking this step a bit farther, one could run a new fused wire from the coach batteries and connect it to the radio (Battery), and (Accessory) wires, eliminating that potential problem.

Denny
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