Factory Nav Question

[Pahrump]

Ok its probably been answered but I have looked and cannot find the answer.


Right now my truck has the audiophile system with steering wheel controls, 6 disc changer, and sirius sat.

If I get a DVD Nav unit...say off Ebay, will it just plug in? The steering wheel controls work, as well as the Sirius? What needs done to get the GPS part to function?

[troid123]

No it will not just plug & play. You will have to install a different wiring harness as well as a new wire for the nav. antenna, and an aftermarket box to make the steering wheel controls work. It is a completely different set up than factory usually.

[Pahrump]

I guess I should have said if I get a FORD FACTORY DVD Nav unit will it plug and play.

[troid123]

oh, in that case you will only need to run the nav wire I would assume? From past experience's I would say that it should work. Make sure that whatever you are buying off of ebay is not locked, or you will not be able to use it.

[Pahrump]

RIght...thanks....all the Factory nav units are Sirius ready I suppose? So I can just plug in the antenna that I already have?

[troid123]

The sirius wire should just plug & play as well..

[Pahrump]

One more stupid question.....if I buy one off Ebay....a unit taken out of another vehicle...will it just work in my truck or do I have to have it programmed to my truck?

I was reading some stuff and some said it would plug and play, some said you got to take it in and have it programmed.

If thats the case...after $500-$700 for the stock unit...then programming, I would rather have an aftermarket one...like the Avic I suppose.

[smotrs]

I ended up going with the Avic-Z2 on mine, I also got the BlueTooth and iPod integration modules as well as the XM module. Absolutely love it, very cool system, lot's of cool features.

[vshortt]

Originally Posted by Pahrump

One more stupid question.....if I buy one off Ebay....a unit taken out of another vehicle...will it just work in my truck or do I have to have it programmed to my truck?

I was reading some stuff and some said it would plug and play, some said you got to take it in and have it programmed.

If thats the case...after $500-$700 for the stock unit...then programming, I would rather have an aftermarket one...like the Avic I suppose.

I'm dealing with a similar issue so I have the answers for you. This is how it works. There are two things that are pertinent to what it is that you are trying to do. First, somewhere in your dash is a wire that is already running from a factory NAV antenna. All of the trucks are set up this way and the wire is only used in the event that a NAV head unit is installed in the truck. Therefore, the hardware exists for this portion. It is just a matter of locating it which I personally have not done. The second issue is once you install it, it will not just work. A OBI II handheld (or whatever Ford uses) has to be connected to the diagnostic port and a code must be changed. Your truck is equipped with a code that is specific for use with the type of head unit that you have. A NAV head unit requires a different code. Your dealer may or may not have the necessary code on hand but if you know someone (as in my case), he is simply going to go out to the lot, find one with a NAV head unit, and obtain the code.
Basically, I already have the NAV and I'm giving it to a friend who is going to buy me the head unit of my choice in return. It was during our process of determining if the switch would work that we obtained all of this information. Basically, he was trying to discover what headaches he'd endure and was trying to determine if it was even worth it. The short answer is "yes". Anyway, we have a diesel mechanic buddy who works for Tommy Vaughan (sp) in Houston. It was him who explained to us the issue about the receiver module with the existing antenna wire. It was HIS friend, the stereo guy, that told him about obtaining the code. This has been done by him on several occasions. I hope this helps to some degree.

[Pahrump]

Thanks for the info....I think I have decided to go with the Kenwood 5120....for the money it cannot be beat.

Does not need a disc in it for the nav to function, can play DVD movies...and I can have the whole thing with steering wheels controls working and all for about $800.