Excursion In Dash/DVD
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Junior User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 84
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Excursion In Dash/DVD
Been researching it for awhile now and wondering what you guys all run for your DVD/NAV in dash. Trying to update my 2000 7.3 Excursion don't plan on ever selling this thing, I love it, just trying to update it and make it my baby.
Previous owner put some cheap ghetto flip up DVD Player in the dash. Don't like it at all. Whatver you guys use or have seen other's use I am all ears. Like the look of some of the pioneers but am open to any ideas on it. Thanks in Advance.
Previous owner put some cheap ghetto flip up DVD Player in the dash. Don't like it at all. Whatver you guys use or have seen other's use I am all ears. Like the look of some of the pioneers but am open to any ideas on it. Thanks in Advance.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 211
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From: Copperas Cove, TX
A few months ago my wife's Ex was broken into and they stole the "cheap ghetto flip up" screen that I had put in there since I had it just laying around. We used the insurance money to buy and install a Pioneer AVH-P4400BH double din DVD/HD Radio/etc. It doesn't have NAV but can if you add the NAV module. We also added two back up cameras; one for the front (on a toggle switch) and one for the back (on with reverse). I did a lot of research about which deck I wanted to get and this one seemed to have most everything I wanted/needed. Since I'm still in Afghanistan I had my wife send me a picture but I can't get photobucket to load on my work computer for some reason. I'm hoping that the rear camera is set up so I can see the trailer ball (only reason I wanted a rear camera); I guess I'll have to wait a couple months to find out.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 625
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From: Stafford, VA
A few months ago my wife's Ex was broken into and they stole the "cheap ghetto flip up" screen that I had put in there since I had it just laying around. We used the insurance money to buy and install a Pioneer AVH-P4400BH double din DVD/HD Radio/etc. It doesn't have NAV but can if you add the NAV module. We also added two back up cameras; one for the front (on a toggle switch) and one for the back (on with reverse). I did a lot of research about which deck I wanted to get and this one seemed to have most everything I wanted/needed. Since I'm still in Afghanistan I had my wife send me a picture but I can't get photobucket to load on my work computer for some reason. I'm hoping that the rear camera is set up so I can see the trailer ball (only reason I wanted a rear camera); I guess I'll have to wait a couple months to find out.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 211
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From: Copperas Cove, TX
From all the research I did here on FTE it is not a direct fit because the Ex OEM radio is not a full double din unit. If I remember correctly you have to trim the dash bezel around the radio hole in order to get a full double din installed. I've found that there are a few threads here that explain how to do it, but I couldn't tell you exactly what they used to mount it in the dash because I haven't seen it yet. From the picture my wife sent me it looks like the shop mounted it a little too far back from the front of the dash for my liking, but I'll probably just deal with it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,287
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From: Fraser Valley
That's correct I installed a JVC double din arsenal deck and I needed to remove the dash, I took a dermal and sanded down the lip that sticks out causing the double din size hole to be slightly less. Then you need a dash adapter that locks to the inside of the dash and connects to the deck.
It's fairly easy to do.
It's fairly easy to do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 29,909
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
The Kenwood is a 98% drop in for the Excursion. I say 98% because behind the dash requires some very minor trimming. The visible part of the dash is untouched so when the unit is installed you cannot see where anything was trimmed.
Sorry about the pic, it wasnt one to show off the unit, it was for a different story.
Sorry about the pic, it wasnt one to show off the unit, it was for a different story.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: North Idaho
I installed a pioneer 4400 7 inch double din and had to remove the dash plate, trim the opening and istall the head unit then replace the dash plate over it...the unit would not fit through the dash plate opening, however after all in place it looks likr a factory item lol. there are direct wire harneses and as for my 2005 there is a factory dvd retention harness that works perfect, not sure for older models. 1 word of caution if you use the park brake bypass , as i did, you may lose some functions of your head unit like auto eq ect.. just research it ahead of time. best mod yet the rear view camera is great, love being able to back right up to the hitch and go. plus nt bad at the store when backing out of the parking stall especially when back is full of stuff and line of sight is limited.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,287
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From: Fraser Valley
I installed a pioneer 4400 7 inch double din and had to remove the dash plate, trim the opening and istall the head unit then replace the dash plate over it...the unit would not fit through the dash plate opening, however after all in place it looks likr a factory item lol. there are direct wire harneses and as for my 2005 there is a factory dvd retention harness that works perfect, not sure for older models. 1 word of caution if you use the park brake bypass , as i did, you may lose some functions of your head unit like auto eq ect.. just research it ahead of time. best mod yet the rear view camera is great, love being able to back right up to the hitch and go. plus nt bad at the store when backing out of the parking stall especially when back is full of stuff and line of sight is limited.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: North Idaho
i googled ford factory dvd retention harness...think i ended up getting it from amazon...oh btw when getting wire harnesses and retention harnesses make sure to verify the year compatability...if it is 1 year off it can be a mess and not work
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From: Coal Valley, Illinois
I also put a double DIN Kenwood in my last Ex, a 2003. I had it done, but I don't believe they did much if any modification to the dash. You need a cheap kit that attaches to the side of the unit then it just snaps in. Just a couple of plastic filler pieces that screw to the side of the head unit. You don't used the metal double DIN installation sleeve. Only problem is that once it's in it doesn't come out. The solution is to remove the two screws above the radio that hold the dash in. With those out, you can remove that part of the dash to service or remove the stereo. No issues removing the screws. I had NAV, backup, Sirius and iPod. I loved it. The Kenwood uses Garmin which I find to be the best NAV. Wrecked the Ex but saved the stereo, will install in my new Limited. It was a very clean install, looked factory. The shop charged me about $300 to install everything, I will do the next one as I know more now and the wiring harness is already connected to the stereo so should be easier. 
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: North Idaho
Yea I didn't use the brackets that made it non removable mine if you push hard enough it will move but when pushing the buttons it doesn't so I left it so I can remove easy if I want to. With the 210's in the back and the 2k watt amp the back windows move when the bass hits lol pioneer 4400 is sweet and the quality of sound is amazing. Although I did replace all the factory speakers with infinity built in crossover type speakers. Makes your chest shake lol
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 1
From: Coal Valley, Illinois
Yea I didn't use the brackets that made it non removable mine if you push hard enough it will move but when pushing the buttons it doesn't so I left it so I can remove easy if I want to. With the 210's in the back and the 2k watt amp the back windows move when the bass hits lol pioneer 4400 is sweet and the quality of sound is amazing. Although I did replace all the factory speakers with infinity built in crossover type speakers. Makes your chest shake lol
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If in doubt like I was and you have a few bucks, get a good shop to put it in. Make sure you get a good shop though. I talked to an installer at Best Buy and he had some stupid install ideas, no way I would have let them do it. Good luck!
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: North Idaho
The way I have it installed the dash has t separate before it will come out. I am very conscious about things loose in the car. I am a deputy sheriff and make sure all my gear is secure just in case. Lol although I don't plan on having a prob I will be prepared
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Copperas Cove, TX
I finally got my internet to let me upload the picture. Here is my wife's Ex with the Pioneer AVH-P4400BH. The toggle switch next to the power outlet is for the front camera; not where I would have wanted it but I guess I'll just deal with it.
