remote starters

[68 351 bronc]

Does Ford offer an add on remote starter as a plug and play system?

[jlykins]

I think it is a plug and play that ford offers, but it is made by Code Alarm and they are a terrible brand. I installed alarms for 7 years during and after college, and I have to tell you that they suck. I would stick with a DEI remote start. Viper,clifford,avital,python,sidewinder... These are all made by DEI. You can pick one up at bestbuy, circuit city, or most other audio shops. If you feel froggy and think that you can install one yourself, you can get one off of ebay for cheaper. look for avital 4100, avital 4200, or viper 160xv. You can get a wireing sheet for your truck from www.the12volt.com.

[68 351 bronc]

Great info jlykins. Thanks!
Ed

[05 6.0]

Ford starters are made by Audiovox now. Not as bad but WAY overpriced. If you buy DEI only buy Viper. The rest have poor range. In the Business.

[PW01]

I'm in agreement with the DEI recommendation. However, I have a Clifford Matrix remote start/alarm and the range is great.

[05 6.0]

Yea the Clifford is good now as well since they took Viper sytems and made them Clifford too. The reason that there are so many diff brands is so DEI can sell every shop on the street and they all will have something diff but still DEI. Avital, Hornet, & Valet all have much poorer than advertised range and customers all complain.

[Beerstalker]

Viper, Python, and Clifford are all pretty much the same now. They just sell them under different names to different vendors so they vendors don't have to price match as much. I have heard that the Avital, Hornet, and Valet models are of lower quality like 05 6.0 mentioned.

My cousin installs a lot of remote start systems and Astrostart was his brand of choice the last time I talked to him about it.

I personally had the Autopage RS1000 installed on my truck. It has a one mile range and color OLED two way transponder. It charges using a mini USB charger, so my Motorola Q chargers work with it as well. They have said eventually you will be able to upload custom images and mess with the software on the transponder as well.

[05 6.0]

Originally Posted by Beerstalker

Viper, Python, and Clifford are all pretty much the same now. They just sell them under different names to different vendors so they vendors don't have to price match as much. I have heard that the Avital, Hornet, and Valet models are of lower quality like 05 6.0 mentioned.

My cousin installs a lot of remote start systems and Astrostart was his brand of choice the last time I talked to him about it.

I personally had the Autopage RS1000 installed on my truck. It has a one mile range and color OLED two way transponder. It charges using a mini USB charger, so my Motorola Q chargers work with it as well. They have said eventually you will be able to upload custom images and mess with the software on the transponder as well.

I run the RS 1000 also. The current model will not allow downloads of your own car yet. If you were told that they were miss informed. The 2008 unit with C3 technology will. There is no USB port on the current remote. The OLED is bad @ss though.

[Beerstalker]

My RS1000 remote most definitely has a mini USB port on the side. It even says it does on Autopage's site. I can't seem to find the Sema video I saw before I bought it that talks about being able to update stuff on the remote with your computer though.

http://www.autopageusa.com/t_inside.cfm?action=products&catID=1004&prodID=fc5a9b72-bafd-4243-9355-ebe9de1a12be

As far as I know the C3 stuff is going to allow you to do the remote start/alarm stuff from your GSM cell phone, doesn't really affect the RS1000 remote.

[PW01]

Originally Posted by 05 6.0

Yea the Clifford is good now as well since they took Viper sytems and made them Clifford too. The reason that there are so many diff brands is so DEI can sell every shop on the street and they all will have something diff but still DEI. Avital, Hornet, & Valet all have much poorer than advertised range and customers all complain.

I agree. I also agree that Avital is low end. When we bought my wife's car, the stereo shop recommended the Avital and it has never performed as advertised.

[48' fordster]

I was looking at the viper 160XVL and I was wondering if it would work on a 1994 f-150. with a standard tranny?


thanks

[jlykins]

Originally Posted by 48' fordster

I was looking at the viper 160XVL and I was wondering if it would work on a 1994 f-150. with a standard tranny?


thanks

it will work, but a lot of shops won't put it on with a standard because of the insurance liability. I had the 160xv in my nissan 350z and it was a manual.

[NJF350SD]

To part of the original question, is the Ford remote starter, plug and play? In other words, can it be added by disconnecting the factory harness and plug in the remote starter, or is there detailed "cutting and splicing" or "wire tapping" required?

I would like one as well, but only if it's the plug and play variety.

Chris

[Beerstalker]

I don't think there is any true plug and play remote starters. If you are that worried about it take it to a good install shop and pay to have it done. Just be sure to verify before hand that they are going to strip and solder the connections, and not just use T taps.

[68 351 bronc]

Originally Posted by Beerstalker

I don't think there is any true plug and play remote starters. If you are that worried about it take it to a good install shop and pay to have it done. Just be sure to verify before hand that they are going to strip and solder the connections, and not just use T taps.

I am disappointed that with today's tech that vehicles aren't designed for remote starters from the factory. I don't know of any install shops that I would trust if I wasn't standing there watching the whole time.