I just finished ordering new head lights from Tony. I also ordered a Joying android headunit with backup and dashcam cameras.

US Warehouse JOYING Newest RAM 2GB ROM 32GB Factory CD Player Replacement New Android 5.1.1 Lollipop System PIP Auto Radio 7 In
Item# US-JY-UL135N2

https://www.carjoying.com/us-warehou...r-gps-rad.html

Then the Mishimoto MMTS-F2D-03FH High-Temperature Thermostat & Housing. My temps don't seem to get over 178 or so, even after a 40 mile drive in 80 degree weather.

I will be off for almost all of December so I should be able to get this stuff installed before Christmas.

 

Thermostat and mirrors going in this weekend. Found out it also had air bags installed in the rear. I also stumbled on a Hellwig Excursion rear sway bar on CL new never installed for $100. Picking it up soon as I get home. Might get that in this weekend too!

CL ad:
New in the box Hellwig rear,sway bar . Fits Ford Excursion 2wd and 4wd 2000-2005 . I paid $250 first $100 takes it.

 

I see it has a Texas plate and was serviced by Mack Haik... you in Houston?

 

No I am in Austin/Round Rock. I didn't get the sway bar last night but just picked it up this morning. Brand new still in box. I will try and get it installed tomorrow with the mirrors and thermostat.

 

Installed the 2006 Ford used tow mirrors I bought of Craigslist from someone who upgraded to the 2008 models. Went in easy and plugged right up as expected. Didn't get any pics yet as it is cold and raining for the next 3 days. The big regular mirrors are fine. The small wide angle ones leave something to be desired, but once adjusted properly work okay.

I also installed the Mishimoto 200F thermostat. WOW! Before the old one would only get up to about 178 tops. Now usually at 201 and putting some heat out from the heater now. My Delta between coolant and oil temps was about 7 or 8 at speed. Now about 4.8 at speed. Drops down to near zero whenever not under load and at idle.

I didn't get the sway bar installed yet as they are only open on Saturday by appointment and the time allotted didn't include the sway bar initially and all his lifts were full. So saving that for another time.

I also stopped by the stereo install shop and got an estimate for the Joying Android head unit. I explained everything and he went back and spoke with his installer guy. Came back and told me $795 for install. I thanked them and said that was just way to much and I would find someone else or do it myself. It just isn't that involved.

I also rest the high speed option back to normal for Torque. I can have lots of gauges now without lockups, it just polls slower is all.

 

Hellwig rear sway bar is now installed. The dealer here put it in. They looked up the history and were absolutely amazed at the condition of my EX. Several of the mechanics there are interested in buying it. Android head unit goes in Saturday morning.

 

Head unit went in today. Didn't connect cameras yet though. Ended up not using any mounts at all due to the tight fit. No face plate either. The steering wheel control adapter also wasn't needed with this radio. The button pushes are programmable in the head unit itself. It looks like it was made for it.



Tony also emailed today that my new projectors are ready and will ship Monday. Yea!!!!



I also bought new lights around the headlights as well. I have some work ahead of me getting everything connected and programmed like I want.

 

How is that Nav system?

I've been using WAZE recently after using Garmin for the previous ten years.

 

What little I have tested is doing just fine so far. I need to connect to my home wifi and see if any updates are available for anything. Lots of setup work to do getting things set up just right for me. I am heading for Kansas Wednesday and will let you know when I get back.

 

We have been using WAZE a lot too recently (good to keep track of Twitch's travels ) along with the Garmin on TT trips. On my Joying android head unit I can't figure out how to switch the Nav from kilometers to miles.

 

I got a lot more working but still not Torque. It seems from my reading that the unit won't work with the ScanTool MX version but will with the cheap Chinese clones. Ordered one of those from Joying to try.

 

Joying responded to my emailed questions. Google nav stops whatever music is playing and fails to restart when its message is over. Otherwise works fine. They pointed me to a firm ware upgrade. I am holding off doing anything for now. I wanted a Ford symbol for the splash screen when first starting up. There is an app called CarMedi and a password required. The app is already loaded and the password is 3368. I also changed the button colors here to green to match the existing lighting. I want a plain black background and there were instructions on how to do this as well, but I haven't done it yet. They said they just had a system update Dec. 8th and that is why it isn't up to date (mine shipped 14th Nov.). The IGO nav app works just fine and mutes audio and returns like it is supposed to. Cost to upgrade maps though. Between Google Nav, IGO and an old Garmin backup, I should be able to find anything. So far I am very impressed with the unit itself, the fit, and everything working like it should (mostly). If the update fixes the Google nav issue and the ScanTool MX issue I will be golden!

 

Where did you get those headlights? link to the discussion, I could not find it, if you could?


Thanks!

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...eadlights.html


This is a pic at night.

 

Thanks a lot! When are you getting them installed? interested in some pictures of the output if you get a chance...I probably will order some at the end of the month since I will be gone on vacation till mind January.