Upgrading the audio system?

[Canadian144]

Hey everyone, we've just purchased an 09 F-150 FX4 Luxury package. It comes with the Sony Premium audio stereo. I was wondering what options I have for upgrading to a navigation unit (none of the remaining 09's had the EXACT options we were looking for, the one we bought had every option but the nav)?

I've read that aftermarket nav systems aren't out yet, and that they not come out for a while. We test drove an F-150 FX4 luxury package that HAD the navigation system, and it was really nice. So I was wondering how would one go about upgrading from the sony audio system to the sony nav unit?

I've read that some dealers in the US can do it for $2400 (US$$). I was wondering if anyone has done this yet in Canada? I'm guessing the dealer could order in the nav unit, new faceplate for the center console, and the climate control switches (I don't think the non-nav ones will work with the nav's faceplate).

[Bush_aholic]

Why not go for a nice after market double Din dvd/nav combo for that kind of cash you can get a really nice one for under 1500, and MUCH better quality in the car audio department compared to Sony. Takes 10minutes to change with a semi/plug n play harness and face plate kit, check ebay I just found some for the 09 F150's all over the place.

[Canadian144]

I found the wiring harness you were talking about on ebay with no problems. However, no luck finding any nav systems that are designed for the F150 yet (that will fit in the stock location).

And the only faceplate kits that I could find were for the Lariat (the fake wood trim, not the black trim in the FX4). I could always order the correct faceplate from the dealer with the cutout for the factory navigation, however I have no clue which dash an aftermarket nav would work in.

[Bush_aholic]

The radios themselves are universal fit, you just need the mounting hardware and wire harness, I can't see Ford making the radio slot that small, a single din flip up nav system is an option too.

List of all kinds of mount kits (http://electronics.shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=2009+f150&_sacat=85806&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_dmd=1&_odkw=&_osacat=85806)

I would look at Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood, and Alpine and compare witch ones have the prices and options you want.

Don't quote me on this but single din and double din is the standard size in all makes of factory car radio slots that I have ever seen, some might not have the room for the beefy back side of a double din but the f150's should not be a problem, especially if a Nav unit is an option from factory

[Canadian144]

This all sounds pretty cool/good, but with an aftermarket audio system would all of the steering wheel controls and stuff still work? Or would the wiring harness wire it up to the steering wheel? Also would the USB ports still work in their current locations? I guess it all depends on the options of the nav system.

The only thing about the dash kit that I don't like is that it wouldn't match the FX4's trim piece... it is flat black, whereas the FX4's trim looks like:

http://img2.netcarshow.com/Ford-F-150_FX4_2009_800x600_wallpaper_1f.jpg

I'm guessing sometime in the near future some of those companies who produce those dashboards will come out with trim to match the stock trim. I mean the flat black plastic WOULD match, just wouldn't be a perfect match I guess.

Also, what's the biggest size nav screen I can put in (that doesn't slide/pop out)? Doubledin supports up to what, 5" or 7"?

[Bush_aholic]

Not 100% sure if the steering wheel controls are 09 compatible yet but yes most good players come with factory steering wheel controls, or a separate harness you buy that makes it all work. You could always paint the trim to match. The biggest touch screen I have seen is the 7" so far.

I'm sure if you went to an car audio store they would be more than happy to help you out, if your unsure of everything, just don't let them rip you off, do you research on how much the stuff you want is worth, when they give you a quote for it all installed knock 200$-400$ off their price and tell them that's all you will pay. Most audio stores work off commission and they will put up a fight to get every penny they can.

Stay away from Future Shop, Canadian Tire any big stores like that, go to Audio entertainment stores.

[Canadian144]

Alright, sounds good, thanks for all the help man! I've heard enough horror stories about audio instillation from friends and off of various forums that I know enough to stay away from the big stores anyways! lol

I think if I could paint the trim to be a gloss black (not like a flat black that it comes like), it would match the FX4's trim pretty well. Sure, it wouldn't be perfect (no little silver/white indentations/dots), but it would look pretty appealing IMO.

I guess the main thing is just going around and reading some reviews on various aftermarket units. I've heard nothing but positive things about the stock unit though.

The main units I'm considering are:

-Alpine IVA-W505/P1 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=IVA-W505/P1)
-Kenwood DNX9140 (http://www.kenwood.ca/Car_Entertainment/Mobile_Video_n_Navigation/Navigation/DNX9140)
-Pioneer AVIC-X910BT
(http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/In-Dash/GPS-Navigation-Systems/AVIC-Z110BT?tab=A)
Pioneer makes a nice, 7" touch screen unit (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/In-Dash/GPS-Navigation-Systems/AVIC-Z110BT) as well, however it says that "motorized" which I'm guess means that it's a slide out unit (not big on those at all).

The main thing is decent navigation, good integration into the truck, and support for a USB audio player (not necessarily an ipod). I really can't tell which ones will support USB audio, and not just ipod. I mean I could just get an ipod, but I'm happy with my current media player (archos 5, 250gb HDD, touch screen, wi-fi, etc etc).

[Phil G.]

Honestly, Sony is considered Walmart junk in the aftermarket world, they excel in video but should stay out of Audio IMO. The factory Sony system will sound better than most OEM systems but will not satisfy anyone with even mild audiophile tastes and at $2400US, you should get more for your money.

Here is the adapter for the 2009 F150. I believe Scosche is the only one making them yet but them and Metra are the main 2 companies anyways. Both are good. I believe the part is #FD1438B.

https://www.cartoys.com/Default.cfm/p/Scosche_FD1438B_2009_F_150_Dash_Kit/

If you have Sync, it appears they have that covered too:

http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/_FORD_SYNC_INTERFACE_TO_AFTERMARKET_RADIO_AFSI01_p _10872.html


These 2 pieces should allow you to add a decent aftermarket headunit.

You should upgrade your speakers while you are at it, the factory ones are not great.

Your truck should have 6x8" in the front and rear. I would suggest 5-1/4" round if you want easy install or 6-1/2" for better sound if you want to spend a little more install time. Round speakers usually sound better than oval ones. Add a 10" sub to that and a small amp and presto, you'll be kicking the poo out of the factory Sony stuff.

[Bush_aholic]

Motorized could just mean that it's a tilt screen, not necessarily a flip up, it's to change the angle of the screen when the sunlight messes with it, so you see it better. Before reading review look a the actual manufactures website the will give full feature and specs on all their products, most are Ipod ready but most have aux inputs to add what ever else you want just might need a RCA or 3.5mm extension from your device.

Check out the Kenwood DNX9140 (http://www.kenwood.ca/Car_Entertainment/Mobile_Video_n_Navigation/Navigation/DNX9140), has 2 USB inputs

[Canadian144]

Thanks for the links, Phil.

After wrapping my head around the whole matter, it seems like an aftermarket system is a much better way to go, for less.

I'm guessing that the wiring harness just makes the installation a lot easier. Would it also allow the steering wheel mounted controls to work? And what about the little USB port at the bottom of the dashboard?

As for the system itself, right now I am pretty much in between the Kenwood DNX9140 and the Pioneer AZIC-Z110BT. Both are 7", and are the "flagship" units from each manufacturer. I'm guessing that there would be no real point in retaining sync, correct? They both have bluetooth functionality for pairing with phones, as well as voice control. That's pretty much all that sync does, right?

The only thing that is really holding me back right now is that faceplate... I just wish that they would introduce one in the FX4 interior trim style... it's not that I don't mind it not matching up with the doors, it's just that it won't match up with the lower portion of the center console (like wear the cupholders are and stuff like that).

As for speakers, the Sony ones seemed fine when we test drove an F-150 with the Sony speakers/nav. They sounded pretty good, so I'll keep them for a while I think. They may be crap compared to most aftermarket stuff, but IMO they were OK.

Bush_aholic,

I just realized that like a minute ago after watching a video review of it on youtube. DOH! haha. I also checked the specifications sheet for it, and it has USB input.

To sum it up for everyone:

problems:
dash kit doesn't match FX4 trim

questions:
is sync necessary anymore with either of these systems?
will the factory steering wheel controls work?
can the factory back-up camera be wired into either of the systems?
should the wiring harness solve the above to problems?

[Phil G.]

The dash trim bezel can be painted and done right will look perfect.
If a better one comes out later, it's easily replaced.

For steerng wheel controls,likely PAC has an adapter like this:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_127SWIJACK/PAC-SWI-JACK.html?tp=3405
but you will need to decide on a head unit first.

You may want to retain Sync depending on the performance of the bluetooth in the particular head unit. I am running an Alpine W205 which is a great head unit but the bluetooth of the Blackbird Nav unit docked inside it does not work with my Blackberry 8830 so I have continued to use a Parrot 3100 Bluetooth unit (which is amazing by the way).

It appears teh factory camera can be used based on what this guy is saying :
http://www.f150online.com/forums/multimedia-navigation/363052-pioneer-avic-f-90bt-factory-back-up-cam-installed.html

[Canadian144]

Awesome, thanks for all the help man (you to Bush_aholic)!

I think that we'll scrap sync, and see how the new unit performs. If it performs poorly, then we can always buy the sync adaptor that you posted.

[Phil G.]

No problem, good luck with the upgrade. With the money you are spending on the head unit, you really really :) should consider upgrading the front door speakers for 2-300 bucks. If you were looking at the hack job I did on my web site to my truck and that scared you off, not to worry, they can he installed behind the door panel so you will never see them. Mine were suppose to be temporary but it's taken me a lot longer than I expected to get the time to do it the way I want.

[Canadian144]

haha alright, I'll consider it.

Again, thanks for all your help!

I'll be sure to post up when we get it all installed.

[Justin1635]

bumping an old thread. but what ever happened

[Boataddict]

I have a Kenwood 8120 in my 09 FX4. The Metra dash kit is junk so stay away from it. I am going to replace it with the Scosche that I ordered of ebay and am going to paint it gloss black and clear to match the factory unit.
I have the reverse camera out of my 06 FX4 and it works fine.
One of the nice things about the Kenwood is that it has Garmin maps in the nav. The ipod interface is cool as well.

[Justin1635]

just to clarify, anyone that spends money and buys a stock head unit is a fool.

[Phil G.]

just to clarify, anyone that spends money and buys a stock head unit is a fool.
Thats rather blunt but I can't say that I disagree with you.

[Justin1635]

Thats rather blunt but I can't say that I disagree with you.

its honestly true. its because of people that spend that kind of money on a stock head unit, that they keep making the shit. Im pretty sure this planet could deal without the pollution from production in making the garbage head units. But i guess theyve cashed in on the fact that if it has a touch screen it must be good. My kenwood setup that is almost 3 years old would take a shit on any new sync vehicle rolled out of a dealer right now. Its hilarious. 2500$ for a stock h/u.

[canoetrpr]

I'd love to see/hear about someone who has upgraded their HU to an aftermarket on a 2009 and kept the Sync and steering wheel controls.

I haven't heard of the above on the forums I frequent.

Metra has a bus harness to supposedly allow you to keep the steering wheel controls but it also requires that you lose the LED display that the sync system uses. They replace with it an LCD display that frankly looks like it does not belong in the vehicel.

I imagine it can all be done properly and made to look nice with some customization, a painted dash kit, mounted LCD to replace the Sync one and so on. But I have not seen it done on a 2009.

FWIW - I only use the sync for the phone and I think it is awesome for that.

[Boataddict]

This is the metra..
http://www.fordtough.ca/forums/picture.php?albumid=285&pictureid=2191

[Boataddict]

This is the painted Scosche...
http://www.fordtough.ca/forums/picture.php?albumid=285&pictureid=2192